Berrara Cove Fossil Beds - Berrara, NSW
Posted by: 
Tuena
S 35° 12.552 E 150° 33.045
56H E 277049 N 6101008
The Berrara Cove Fossil Beds contain mainly pectins and crinoids laid down in the Ordovician Period.
Waymark Code: WMMP9K
Location: New South Wales, Australia
Date Posted: 10/19/2014
Views: 4
The Fossil Beds are found along the length of the northern section of Berrara Beach which is a public beach. The beds are best viewed at low tide as otherwise they are under water. The sediments they occur in are between 240 and 280 million years old. There are also fossils along the cliff edge at the back of the beach, mainly in boulders that have broken free.
During the Palaeozoic Era Berrara was covered by a shallow sea and the climate was tropical. The world was a warmer wetter place then. However, towards the end of this era during the Ordovician period the greatest mass extinction in the Earth's history took place. This was probably due to global cooling plunging the world into an extreme ice age. Berrara would have been engulfed by the polar ice caps. Species had nowhere to migrate and 90% of the life disappeared, with these fossils the only reminder how prolific life was.
The above information was obtained from the Cudmirrah Berrara Swanhaven Progress Association Inc. (
visit link) who gave credit to Dr. Graham Morgan.
There are no interpretative signs or indeed any sign outlining the presence of the fossils but a walk on the beds will be most rewarding.
Visit Instructions:At least one good photo you have personally obtained and a brief story of your visit. Any additions or corrections to the information about the Waymark (for instance, have the hours open to the public changed) will be greatly appreciated.