Heritage Places

Heritage Place Details

LOCATION
Map Show Map
Address Adnyamathanha Country, Skull Rock Track FLINDERS RANGES
Locality
Accuracy H - high level confidence
Development Plan Land Not Within a Council Area (Flinders)
Polygon Type P - parcel (from DCDB)
DESCRIPTION
Details (Known As) Tufa Waterfall, Bunkers (Private) Conservation Reserve [Designated as a place of geological significance]
Registered Name Tufa Waterfall, Bunkers Conservation Reserve
Significance The sub-fossil tufa waterfall is a prime example of its type and is considered to be superior to others in Europe and Australia. It is an uncommon landform which contributes to an understanding of past climatic and environmental conditions of the region. Authorized Date: 22-FEB-2000 The sub-fossil Tufa Waterfall is a prime example of its type and is considered to be superior to others in Europe and Australia. `Tufa' is a form of limestone precipitated from calcium-rich water, which creates delicate rock structures. The landform was created during the Late Pleistocene-Holocene (100,000 to 10,000 years ago) by the movement of calcium-rich water from nearby springs between red, Precambrian cliffs (approximately 717-660-Million-years-old). The presence of the fossil waterfall suggests a wetter environment than is currently known in the now arid Flinders Ranges. The uncommon and approximately 20-35-metre tall tufa deposit features three overhanging tiers, containing two large caves with decorations within and provides abundant opportunity for palaeoenvironmental research. STATEMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE The approximately 100,000-10,000-year-old Tufa Waterfall is a `sub-fossil' deposit of calcium that was created by the precipitation of carbonates from calcium-rich water, likely from a nearby spring. Over thousands of years, a 20-35m tall white calcium deposit between red Pre-Cambrian (approximately 717-660-Million-year-old) cliffs was formed, creating a striking location. The formation of the recognised geological monument is unusual and within the tufa are two large caves, both of which contain cave decorations such as stalactites, stalagmites and cave corals. The waterfall is of national significance and through research, offers the potential to alter our understanding of the climatic and geological development of the State. Designation date: 12-JUN-1997
Subject Index Landscape area - Geological Site
Class State
STATUS
Status Code REG - Confirmed as a State Heritage Place in the SA Heritage Register
Status Date 09-OCT-1997
REFERENCE
LGA Unincorporated SA
State Heritage ID 14802
Heritage Number 83
SECTION 16 INFORMATION
Section 16 b - it has rare, uncommon or endangered qualities that are of cultural significance
c - it may yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the State's history, including its natural history
PLAN PARCEL & TITLE
As listed in the SA Heritage Register
Plan Parcel & Title Information CR 5852/605 D55290 A100

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.