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The objective of this section of our Cyberspace Library is to provide introductory information on the geology ,
natural history and resources of a region often visited by the Club.

Regard this as a useful VISITORS' GUIDE to the geological hotspots of South Australia and Broken Hill.

Note that the Club publishes detailed accounts of field trips to these hotspots in our monthly Bulletin as
reports by members. Also the Excursion Organizer produces excellent Excursion Notes on the geology examined
and these may soon be available on CD.

PIRSA Minerals have a large range of Brochures for sale ($1 - $2) on geological hot spots, including old mine
sites, geology trails and introductory Geology of areas e.g., Flinders Ranges National Park, Kangaroo Island,
McLaren Vale, the South East etc. You can order these online. Check their list of Brochure Publications.

Also valuable is the SA Mineral Explorer's Guide available as a CD (cost $20) which reviews the geology of SA
and places mines, mineral deposits and prospects in their geological context.

Geological hotspots in the New England region and elsewhere in our neighbouring state of New South Wales is well catered for by:

NSW Geotourism Site created by Bob and Nancy Brown. Bob is a senior geologist with the NSW Primary Industries Dept., based in Armadale, New England. Bob and wife Nancy are both geologists and they have devised various tours for their region, going to visit Tibbaburra, Lightning Ridge, Manilla, Red Rock, South West Rocks and Tamworth. New tours planned this year are to Broken Hill, White Cliffs and New Zealand. Each tour described includes geological maps and excursion notes for stopping points.

Mt Gambier  tourist introduction to a fascinating city of recent volcanic craters, lakes, caves and sinkholes.
When at this website be sure to click on the Geology section to learn of the details.

Club members view the Terra Rosa soil at Coonawarra, which is filling up sinkholes in the Limestone.

The first metal mine (1841) in Australia, the Wheal Gawler silver lead mine lies within the Adelaide suburb of Glen Osmond. The history and geology of the area is well documented on the Flinders Ranges Research website.

The Mathew Flinder's Coastal Landform website on Hallett Cove Conservation Park explains the landforms and the Permian and other glaciations present at this unique site on the coast in south Adelaide.

The Gawler Craton The Pre-Cambrian xtalline basement; economic geology and mining activities.

The Olympic Dam Cu/U mine History and economic geology of this huge mine in Sth Australia.

PIRSA's Earth Resources publication M49 (Jan 2006) Geology of the Clare Valley provides detailed information and map of this famous wine producing region.

Mintaro village near Clare is listed as a State Heritage Area of SA. It is a well preserved 1850's style village with the oldest slate quarry in Australia.

The Mintaro Slate Quarries website gives details on the geology, history and uses of Mintaro slate.

The township of Burra is located a tad north of the Clare Valley and was the start of a major copper mining region in South Australia in the 1860's. The Club has stayed at the Paxton Miners' Cottages which are very good.

The Thorogood's Cider Farm near Burra is not to be missed ... it is Australia's leading cider maker. We always stop there.

A comprehensive tourist guide to the Eyre Peninsula region with information on all towns and localities, including history, accommodation, tourist attractions and local industries including mining. Click on LH side panel for locality.

The Port Lincoln city and region is well described in the WalkAbout Australia website

The Boston Bay Winery near Port Lincoln is worth a visit.The Cowell Jade deposit is the largest in Australia. This PIRSA article gives all the details.

The WalkAbout Australia website contains all the information you need for a visit, including accommodation, galleries, eateries, tours, history etc.

Wikipedia's summary of Broken Hill geology and mineralization.