Heritage Places
Heritage Place Details
| LOCATION |
| Map |
Show Map
|
| Address |
First Nations of the SE, 8kms south of NARACOORTE |
| Locality |
|
| Accuracy |
H - high level confidence |
| Development Plan |
Naracoorte Lucindale Council |
| Polygon Type |
P - parcel (from DCDB) |
| DESCRIPTION |
| Details (Known As) |
Naracoorte Caves Complex [Designated as a place of geological, palaeontological and speleological significance] |
| Registered Name |
Naracoorte Caves Complex |
| Significance |
STATEMENT OF HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Naracoorte Caves Complex is an iconic assembly of 37 large and small caves including 'Blanche & Victoria Fossil Caves, Naracoorte Caves National Park' (State Heritage Place: 11604) that demonstrate a wide range of significant stages in South Australian geological history. The complex provides a World heritage-listed palaeontological record, as well as a significant record of climate change history. It also has significant associations with the scientific work of Father Julian Tenison-Woods and the early development of cave tourism in South Australia.
The limestone landscape and caves contain many significant geological elements demonstrating two very important geological phases in the formation of coastal South Australia - the developing of the new Southern Ocean limestone sea floor (37-12 million years ago) in the Palaeogene and Neogene Periods following separation of Australia from Antarctica, and the commencement of the thirteen ancient coastlines across the region resulting from the Quaternary global Ice-age cycles in the last million years. Evidence of past climates and environmental changes are obtained from dating and chemical analysis of the many speleothems (stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone) and deep sediment sequences contained within multiple caves. The special combination of the Naracoorte ridge and caves within it which record this geological history is not repeated in South Australia or indeed on the Australian continent. Such a dense combination of varied but linked natural cave features set in a unique geological sequence does not occur elsewhere in South Australia.
Directly associated with the sediments, the world's largest and most comprehensive assemblage of Australian mammal fossils dating from 0.5 million years ago is excellently preserved within Victoria Fossil Cave and other sites. These are recognised by UNESCO World Heritage and Australian Natural Heritage designations and are on display to the public with high-quality scientific interpretations. Rated among the world's ten greatest fossil sites, the Naracoorte fossils are a superb illustration of the key stages in the evolution of the unique fauna of Australia - the world's most isolated continent. |
| Subject Index |
Landscape area - Palaeontological Site; Landscape area - Speleological Site; Landscape area - Geological Site |
| Class |
State |
|
|
| STATUS |
| Status Code |
REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register |
| Status Date |
17-MAY-2017 |
| REFERENCE |
| LGA |
Naracoorte Lucindale |
| State Heritage ID |
26459 |
| Heritage Number |
27695 |
|
|
|
| SECTION 16 INFORMATION |
| Section 16 |
a - it demonstrates important aspects of the evolution or pattern of the State's history
c - it may yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the State's history, including its natural history
d - it is an outstanding representative of a particular class of place of cultural significance
g - it has a special association with the life or work of a person or organisation or an event of historical importance
|
| PLAN PARCEL & TITLE |
| As listed in the SA Heritage Register |
| Plan Parcel & Title Information |
CR 5849/443 D54456 A20,CR 5849/443 D54456 Q23,24,CR 5622/224 H440800 S398,CR 5622/225 H440800 S82,392,397,487...,CR 5658/437 D51601 A20,CR 5658/438 D51601 A21,CR 5658/438 H440700 S647,CR 5658/439 D51601 A22,CR 5918/914 D63720 A102,CR 5970/592 D55385 A64,CR 5970/594 D55385 A66,CR 5980/729 D66931 A1,CR 6043/689 D66930 Q16,17,CR 6062/981 D44224 A30 |
Disclaimer
While due care has been taken to ensure that the SA Heritage Places Database accurately reflects the South Australian Heritage Register and listings of Local Heritage Places in Development Plans, the State of South Australia does not accept liability for the use of the SA Heritage Database for any purpose. Users should consult the Department for Environment and Water - Heritage South Australia to confirm the listing of State Heritage Places and the relevant Development Plan for Local Heritage Places/Contributory Items.
In the majority of cases, the maps of State Heritage Places on this web site show the footprints of the most significant structures on a registered Place. However, sometimes they simply indicate the complete area of land comprising the Place. Work is proceeding to further refine the mapping of such places. It is also important to note that development control is not limited to the registered structures but extends to their setting and structures nearby (what is termed ‘development affecting’ a State Heritage Place). Hence it is vital that exact details of the listed place and implications for any proposed development be discussed with Heritage South Australia staff, as they cannot be deduced solely from the information on this web site. The inclusion of a place in the SA Heritage Register gives no right of public access. Permission to visit properties must be sought from the owners. The accuracy of the mapping of State Heritage Places is not guaranteed. Please contact Heritage SA ( https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/sa-heritage-register) if you believe there is an error.
GIS files
To access downloadable GIS files, go to Data.SA.