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Tag: geology

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The Orange Rocks of the Bay of Fires

The Gardens on the Bay of Fires

Bay of Fires Tasmania

Famous for the stunning orange granite rocks that line the shore, The Bay of Fires is not, as we discovered named for this amazing feature. Instead, in 1773 when Captain Tobias Furneaux in Adventure, sailed past, he saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches and gave it its name.

The Gardens

The shore of the Bay of Fires is lined with lovely beaches separated by granite outcrops. We drove from St Helens to The Gardens in 20 minutes, passing camping sites, before reaching the carpark at the end of the road. Many of the beaches in the area have the orange rocks, but this one has easy access with lots of orange lichen.

A short walk from the carpark takes you to the rocky outcrop. Being careful not to slip because the rocks were covered in water, we spend 30 minutes or so exploring. The orange colour was amazing, especially in the morning light.

The track from the carpark also branches off to a beautiful little beach.

Camping

Although we didn’t camp here, many areas are set up for it so that people can enjoy the beaches and water. This would be a great place to stay and relax for a few days to fully experience the area.

  • The Gardens on the Bay of Fires
    The Gardens on the Bay of Fires
  • Orange Coloured Rocks Bay of Fires
    Lichen Colouring the Granite Rocks to Become Orange
  • Lichen Colouring the Granite Rocks to Become Orange
    Orange Coloured Rocks Bay of Fires
  • Orange Coloured Rocks
    Orange Coloured Rocks

What Did We Think?

What an amazing place, full of colour and stunning views. Easily accessible on Tasmania’s east coast and certainly worth the trip to see.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

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Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

The Fossilised Forest at Dudley Beach

Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

In addition to being a great beach, Dudley Beach has a rock platform containing a fossilised forest which is visible at low tide. The area contains the remnants of tree branches and stumps, which are all that remains of an ancient forest.

Getting There

Located south of Newcastle, Dudley Beach has a large well maintained car park, which makes access to the beach easy. From the car park, a sandy trail leads down to the beach.

If you intend seeing the fossilised forest, make sure to check the tides, because the rock platform is only exposed then. Unfortunately, at times, shifting sand occasionally covers the fossils. Even then, you are able to explore the rock platform and beach, which are worth visiting themselves.

Dudley Beach

Access Down to the Beach
Access Down to the Beach
Dudley Beach
Dudley Beach

Rock Platform

The wave cut rock platform where the fossilised forest sits is underwater at high tide. This makes the rocks slippery because many are covered in algae. Only visit at low tide and take care, so as to avoid a fall.

The platform’s surface has many small tidal rock pools, often the home of shellfish and crabs. Some are colourful, making them worth looking for.

Wave action has cut several large crevices into the rocks. These can provide some interesting photos during big swells as the waves crash through them.

Located above the rock platform, eroded cliffs show the effects of wind, rain and waves, with interesting forms weathered into their faces.

  • Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    Waves on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
  • Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
    Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
  • Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    Green Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
  • Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
    Exposed Algae on the Rock Platform at Low Tide
  • Small Tidal Pool
    Small Tidal Pool
  • Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
    Large Crevice in the Rock Platform
  • Eroded Sandstone
    Eroded Sandstone

Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest

The fossilised remained of the forest can be found on the rock platform at low tide. The most obvious remains are the tree stumps sticking up, as they rise above the level of the platform. Closer examination however reveals fossil branches and pieces of wood, stained with iron can be found.

  • Fossilised Wood
    Fossilised Wood
  • Fossilised Wood
    Fossilised Wood
  • Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
    Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
  • Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
    Remains of Fossilised Tree Trunks
  • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest Fossilised Tree Branch
    Fossilised Tree Branch
  • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest Fossilised Tree Branch
    Fossilised Tree Branch
  • Dudley Beach Fossilised Forest
    The Fossilised Forest at Dudley Beach

Baby Blow Hole

On the far side of the rock platform, a crevice funnels waves so that a cavity has formed. This has broken through to the surface and in the right tidal conditions forms a small blowhole. Certainly not spectacular with water only shooting up a metre or two, but interesting. The Kiama blowhole would have looked like this once.

The Baby Blow Hole Dudley Beach
The Baby Blow Hole Dudley Beach

What Did We Think?

Dudley Beach and its fossilised forest was a fun visit. Not only did we find the fossils, but we saw a baby blowhole forming. A great beach, with good parking and added attractions.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

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Sawn Rocks Mount Kaputar National Park

The Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform

Sawn Rocks Mount Kaputar National Park

Getting There

Located around 40 km north east of Narrabri, Sawn Rocks is a geological formation of columnar basalt which resembles organ pipes. As part of the Mount Kaputar National Park, the area is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which ensures it is managed correctly.

The road from Narrabri is fully sealed and was in very good condition when we visited.

Car Park

Designed for travellers, the car park has lots of space, so there is room for caravans to easily park. For somewhere so far from a town, the facilities are excellent, making it a great place to stop and relax. Next to the car park is a composting toilet. On the opposite side is a picnic area with sunshades and gas barbecues, which were in excellent condition.

There is a series of information boards explaining the formation of Sawn Rocks, as well as other things to do in the area.

  • Picnic Area and Bar-B-cues Near the Car Park
    Picnic Area and Bar-B-cues Near the Car Park
  • Information Board in the Car Park
    Information Board in the Car Park

Walking Track

The track from the car park to the viewing area only takes around 15 minutes to walk, but remember to take water. Winding through the bush, it is either paved with bitumen, or is a metal walkway, which makes the walk easy.

  • Bitumen Paved Access Track
    Bitumen Paved Access Track
  • Metal Walkway into Sawn Rocks
    Metal Walkway into Sawn Rocks

Sawn Rocks Viewing Platform

On reaching the viewing platform you look directly at the cliff face which is perfect for taking photos.

  • The Sawn Rocks Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform
    The Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform
  • Sawn Rocks
    Sawn Rocks
  • The sawn rocks Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform
    The Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform

Creek Bed

A short walk down from the viewing platform gets you to the creek bed. There is a path cut into the rocks to form a stairway, makes for and easy descent. The base of the cliff is littered with fallen boulders, so be careful of you footing and wear good walking shoes.

You get a different perspective of the formation from here because you can look up at the cliff. Even the boulders on the ground are interesting, as they show the piping of the rocks and how they have a cross sectional polygon.

  • Steps Down to the Creek Bed
    Steps Down to the Creek Bed
  • Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face Sawn Rocks
    Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face
  • Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face
    Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face
  • Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
    Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
  • Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
    Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
  • Lichen Covered Columns in the Creek Bed
    Lichen Covered Columns in the Creek Bed Sawn Rocks

This was a great place to visit, with an easy well maintained track, amazing views and great facilities.