Curio Bay

The fossil forest is lying on a wave-cut platform which has been eroded into sandstones that were laid down by a river or flood. The logs and tree stumps on top of the sandstone were once growing in a swampy area on the river flats. It is thought that they were buried by ancient volcanic mudflows that flooded over the area from a nearby volcano. The fossil plant species (ferns, cycads and conifers) show that the climate at the time was semi-tropical. This was before the arrival of flowering plants.

Tree stumps with growth rings are visible. There are also large logs scattered about. The tree remnants have been silicified (turned to stone) which has allowed them to be preserved so well.

It is also interesting to have a look at the cliffs at the back of the bay. Sandstones and alternating shaly clays contain more examples of tree stumps and plant material, showing that the forest grew back at least four times, during the period of deposition of the sediments that make up the cliff.