Nilpena Ediacara 'Early Animal Life Unearthed'

Join our inhouse tour guide tour of Nilpena Station and the Nilpena Ediacara National Park Fossil Fields. Recognised as one of the most intact and most significant Ediacaran sites in the world, crucial to understanding the early evolution of life on earth these fossil fields have been a subject of Sir David Attenborough’s ‘Life on Earth’, and are a core aspect of the SA Government’s 2018 nomination of The Flinders Ranges for World Heritage Listing. This tour provides a new perspective through which to view the world. Imagine yourself 555 million years ago when the desert backdrop of the Flinders Ranges was submerged below shallow tropical seas and ocean floors inhabited by Earth’s first animals – the large complex marine organisms, the Ediacara biota. These ancient organisms represent a snapshot of the earliest evidence of large complex life from which we all descended. View a snapshot of how these ancient animals lived and moved on the ancient sea floor. Discover how imprints of these fossils can be so exquisitely preserved after being buried for over 550 million years. Explore how the earth has changed over time. The tour also includes stories of early Aboriginal, Pastoral & European Settlement. The substantial Station Buildings together with the property’s diversity of desert landscapes are well known to the Film Industry and have featured in many TVC productions and movies including 'Rabbit Proof Fence'. Visit the magnificent sandstone woolshed which boasts an historic slate floor with slabs from the 600 million year old Ediacaran seafloor. The station Blacksmith Shop has recently been repurposed as an interpretative space housing the relocated ‘ARB’ Fossil Bed excavation. Refreshments & snack provided.

Option to add Prairie Signature Lunch pre or post tour, or packed lunch on tour.

This tour runs for approximately 4.5 hours.