Your gateway to a wide range of natural resources information and associated maps

Victorian Resources Online

164. Whitelaw - Mesozoic Plant Fossils

This information has been developed from one or more of these publications:

  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Westernport Bay Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Environmental Significance in the Flood Plain of the Upper Yarra Valley Region (1983) by Neville Rosengren, Douglas Frood and Kim Lowe (as part of a study of Sites of Environmental Significance by the University of Melbourne for the then Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority).
Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage section of the Geological Society of Australia website (external link) for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:Korumburra - 936472. Railway cuttings three kilometres west of Korumburra.

Access:

South Gippsland Highway.

Ownership:

Crown Land.

Geology:

Abundant plant fossil may be obtained from exposures of soft Mesozoic sandstone and mudstone in the railway cuttings. The remains include
Taeniopteris daintreei and Thinfeldia hastata concentrated in thin bands, and are regarded by Douglas (1969) as among the richest in Victoria.

Significance:

State. This site is regarded as one of the most important in Victoria for macroscopic remains of Mesozoic plants.

Management:

Class 1. No slope stabilisation work should be permitted on the cuttings in the site.

References:

Medwell, L.M., 1954. A review and revision of the flora of the Victorian Lower Jurassic.
Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict. 65(2). 6-11.
Douglas, J.G., 1969. The Mesozoic floras of Victoria. Geol Surv. Vict. Memoir 28. Mines Dept. Vict.
Page top