THE SECRET IS OUT

The Diprotodons are returning to Burra

The Diprotodon was Australia’s largest marsupial living in the Burra area a mere 100 thousand years ago.

These larger than life creatures weighed in between one and two tonnes, stood 2 metres tall and measured 3 metres long. They were a flat footed creature but able to walk ( much like a wombat ) at a pace of some 5 km an hour. A natural herbivore, the diprotodon would eat between 100 and 150 kg of vegetation per day, and eventually died out about 60 thousand years ago. This dates to around the time humans are believed to have first entered Australia.

The discovery of fossils in the Burra area, has excited the most seasoned palaeontologists, describing Burra’s backyard as one of the richer megafauna sites in Australia.

With further promotion the term megafauna may become as synonymous with Burra as copper, adding yet another dimension to the fascinating history of this region. Families are an important visitor group to Burra, and building the Diprotodon story has the potential to extend visitation and drive yield.

Megafauna Fossil Sites of the Burra Region

Rod Wells, Flinders University

The fossilised remains of extinct marsupials were first reported from a site along Baldina Creek in 1889. Amandus Zeitz of the SA Museum visited the area and collected a partial skeleton of Diprotodon australis which at the time was the most complete specimen known from South Australia predating the finds at Lake Callabonna. He also collected the fossilised remains of the giant ‘emu’ Genyornis, the marsupial ‘lion’ Thylacoleo, and the Tasmanian Devil Sarcophilus.

Today we know of seven fossil yielding localities in the region to the east of Burra.

Associate Professor Rod Wells of Flinders University, and Professor Rainer Grun of the Australian National University, revisited the Burra sites in 2001. During their visit they met an amateur naturalist, Mr. Robert Heading of Mongolata . Mr Heading alerted them to further fossil localities in the Red Banks area along Baldina Creek. Subsequent prospecting further downstream revealed many small outcrops of weathered bone and fragments of the distinctive Diprotodon tooth enamel leading ultimately to the discovery of articulated skeletal remains of Diprotodon and a Tasmanian tiger, Thylacinus.

The Baldina and Burra Creek fossils occur in fine grained siltstones and mudstones.

Bones excavated from deep below the weathered surface sediments, are well preserved. Specimens are difficult to locate and extract. Excavations require skilled palaeontologists with years of training and extensive experience. It is illegal to remove fossilised remains from their resting place. Severe penalties apply to persons who attempt to do so.

The skull and jaws pictured above are on display at the South Australian Museum.    

 What is happening at Red Banks ?

Interpretive Walking Trail

The Department for Environment and Heritage is upgrading a 4 km loop walking trail through Red Banks Conservation Park, and installing seven interpretive signs. These signs reflect the natural, cultural and fossil heritage of the park.

Residents and visitors alike may walk the trail from August 2006.

School Visits

Schools within the Goyder region will be invited to participate in excursions to Red Banks. Early expressions of interest can be lodged with the Department for Environment and Heritage on 08 8892 3025 or the Burra Visitor Centre on 08 8892 2154.

A message from the Department for Environment and Heritage – Mid North District Office ( Burra )

In addition to the fossilised remains of Australia’s extinct megafauna, Red Banks Conservation Park also protects numerous threatened ecological communities, flora and fauna, including Mallee Box Woodland. 

The management at Red Banks Conservation Park focuses on conserving the biodiversity of the region, and conserving and protecting the megafauna fossil deposits, while increasing public understanding of the significance of these deposits. The palaeontology is the park’s most significant resource and providing for its protection was the sole purpose for the Department for Environment and Heritage, acquisition and management of the area.

The Department for Environment and Heritage recognise the need for scientific research, but also has a responsibility to protect the fossils and conserve other existing values such as biodiversity, geology, cultural heritage, hydrology etc.

Red Banks is one park where visitors can observe present day megafauna such as the Red and Grey Kangaroos and the Common Wallaroo. It’s quite rare to see these animals coexisting in one location.  The park also protects a small population of Hairy-nosed Wombats, the rare Peregrine Falcon and a diverse range of reptile species

The Department for Environment and Heritage is committed to developing cooperative partnerships and links with the community to enhance our capacity to meet these conservation objectives and protect the important assets within this park.

What is happening around Burra ?

ü      There is a display of Diprotodon fossils on exhibit in the Regional Council of Goyder offices in Burra. Open Mon to Fri 9 am to 5 pm. Pictured above

ü      Well regarded artist George Aldridge has been commissioned to design cartoons for posters, postcards and marketing the Diprotodon image.

ü      Posters will appear in local businesses throughout the region

ü      Businesses are adopting the Diprotodon and incorporating it into their product

What is in store for the future ?

This is only the first stage of tourism development centred around the mega fauna discoveries at Red Banks. Possible future strategies include:

ü      Incorporation of other significant interpretation at Red Banks Conservation Park

ü      Offering coach companies guided tours of the area

ü      Offering tourists the opportunity to participate in palaeontological digs

ü      The possibility of a dedicated brochure for Red Banks Conservation Park

ü      The possibility of merchandise being developed eg activity packs for children

For more information please contact

Burra Visitor Centre            08 8892 2154           

Email burravisitorcentre@bigpond.com

Department for Environment and Heritage, Burra   08 8892 3025