Gary Lewis leads….

Geology of Eastern Australia 2027

A trip special trip for geology enthusiasts to experience the many and varied geological settings in Eastern Australia including the Sydney Basin and Lachlan Fold Belt.

7- 16 June 2027

We start our tour with a cross section of the massive Sydney Basin – a sedimentary sequence of Triassic-Permian rocks, visiting massive sandstone cliffs, coal measure and evidence for permian glaciations.  We even put our fingers on the basal unconformity.  We then climb out of the basin and into the Lachlan Fold belt, visiting the national capital (Canberra) to see ancient volcanics and mountain building events.  We then travel through the fold belt to see amazing caves, mines and one hot spot volcano.   Then back to Sydney via the majestic Blue Mountains.

And all the time we will be experiencing the wonderful Australia countryside with animal and bird spotting all along the way (kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and more).  We will visit gold rush towns and even try our hand at panning.

So this trip is perfect for geology enthusiasts and their friends and partners.  

GET ON THE TRIP INTEREST LIST

This trip is led by Gary Lewis, Australian native and world renown geology educator.

Then use this trip to add on extras – maybe a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or out to the red center to see Uluru (Ayers Rock)? (We are working with a travel agent friend to get some great add-on trips)

TRIP PLAN *

Day 1 – Arrive and meet at hotel near Sydney airport.

We will meet at 11.ooam for orientation and meeting with the leaders.  Then we are off to start a cross section of the Sydney Basin examing the majestic coastal arcose cliffs at Kurnel (and Captain Cooks landing place).   An included group welcome dinner in the Cronulla Beach area starts off our journey.  We start easy for those who just arrived.

Day 2 – Sydney Basin  and the South Coast

Drive south past the Royal National Park to Stanwell Tops.  Explore the escarpments, see engineering for landslide hazards, and see coal outcropping on the beach.   Travel to Bombo/Kiama to see amazing lava flows and blowholes.  Then continue down to the far south coast.  Overnight in the Batemans Bay area. 

Day 3 –Explore Murramarang National Park

Spend a day exploring the Permian rocks of the lower Sydney Basin – fossils, dropstones, tsunami bocks, intrusions ande more.   See the great unconformity.   Change to see lots of Australian wildlife.

Day 4 – Drive to Canberra

Canberra – Australia’s capital.  Tour of the city, parliament house, and amazing geology of the area. See faults, and fossils and smell a mineral deposit.  Overnight in Canberra.  

Day  5 – Explore Canberra and environs

Explore wildlife at Tiddbinbilla and more local geology  around Canberra which lies deep in the Lachlan Fold Belt.

Day 6 – Drive past goldfields, caves and mines.

Drive north from Canberra through the Lachlan Fold belt  past a variety rocks – old mining towns, limestone caves and more.  We end up in the Historic city of Bathurst which was a major hub of the NSW gold rushes and sits on a huge granite batholith.

Day  7 – Major mining and a volcano

Visit Orange and see the area of local gold mining – such as Newmont Cadia, a huge gld/copper mine.   Climb Mt Canobolas – a hot spot volcano that blanketed the fold belt rocks around 11 million years ago.

Day  8 – Sydney via the Blue Mountains

Drive back to Sydney via the majestic Blue Mountains.  See huge sandstone cliffs of the Sydney Basin and walk out to the Three Susters rock formation..

Day  9 – Sydney Highlights

Spend a day in Sydney to see the famous landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.   Free time to explore.  Final night group dinner on the Harbour.  Stay near the airport.

Day  10 – Departure Day

Flights home or beyond from Sydney.

* subject to change at any time

Click link below to be sent more information when it becomes available.

GET ON THE TRIP INTEREST LIST