BACKYARD SCIENCE
Starting your Palaeoscience Journey
INTRODUCTION TO FOSSILS
Fossils are the starting point of your palaeontology journey. 'Geoscience Australia' offers an introduction to Palaeoscience and Australia's fossil heritage.
Australia has a rich fossil heritage and some of our sites are of 'Outstanding Universal Value' according to the UNESCO World Heritage List. To read about Australia's megafauna at Riversleigh and Naracoorte, click here!
Palaeocast has also made a podcast episode about the exceptional Riversleigh fossil site. The team, speaking to Dr. Karen Black, discuss the site, the fauna, and excavation. See Palaeocast: Episode 25
Fossil localities within Australia are summarised here.
AAP has free fossil guides available for download below:
IDENTIFYING YOUR FOSSIL
Identifying fossils can be very difficult, even for the experts!
Many resources exist online and in state geological surveys and libraries all around the country to help you understand your find. For some handy hints, click here!
If your own search fails, ask an expert! The Australian Museum has a dedicated service to help you discover and learn. To find it, click here!
Alternatively contact your local state museum and send them your fossil enquiries. See the list of state museums below:
NSW: Australian Museum
Queensland: Queensland Museum
Victoria: Museum Victoria
Tasmania: Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Northern Territory: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
South Australia: Southern Australian Museum
Western Australia: Western Australian Museum
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR FOSSICKING?
Fossicking in Australia is considered under State or Territory law. Consequently, acceptable practices vary from region to region within Australia.
Summary by region
The Australian Capital Territory has no specific legislation. The Nature Conservation Act (2013) prohibits the damage, destruction, or removal of materials, including clay, gravel, rock, sand, soil or stone, from reserved areas, such as national parks and nature reserves, which would preclude fossicking and prospecting activities in these locations.
