Geological Sites

Looking west from Sherwoods Cottage is an amazing range of mountains etching the skyline. They are the Nandewars and their most prominent peak is Mt Kaputar. Hidden amongst the peaks and valleys of the Nandewars are more remnants of their turbulent history, for these were once fiery volcanoes.

Some of the geological features seen today are the result of lava flows 17 million years ago. Mt Grattai, near Killarney Gap (the gateway to the western plains), is a sloping rock terrace of trachyte.

Sawn Rocks, just west of Killarney Gap, is a superb example of columnar jointing (or organ piping). These 40 metre height columns are nearly perfect in their duplication and are one of the most perfect examples of this occurrence in the world.

Driving east from Sherwoods Cottage is Hell Hole Creek. At a small cutting near the crossing, beds of volcanic ash, known as tuff can be seen. Attractive samples of zeolite are also to be found along Rocky Creek.

A little further along the road is the Glacial Area that dates back to the Carboniferous Period, some 220 million years ago. Evidence of the glacier is to be seen in the fluvio-glacial conglomerate rock.

All these fascinating places are within 20 minutes drive of Sherwoods Cottage.