Kanawinka Geopark

The Kanawinka Geopark ,named for "Kanawinka", “Land of Tomorrow”, is situated along a structurally controlling geological fault line of the same name that extends from the Narracoorte Caves in South Australia into Western Victoria, before disappearing offshore at Portland. In 1910, the name was also used as a Parish name for the area around Casterton and Coleraine.

The reason for naming the Geopark Kanawinka is:
*The fault links the two states, and therefore the two sections of the park.
*The name links the Geopark to the local indigenous culture.
*The meaning – 'Land of Tomorrow', seems appropriate for promoting today’s geology for future generations.Through its previous use as a Shire/Parish name, it also has a historical link to European Settlement.

Kanawinka was declared Australia's First National Geopark in September 2006. It occupies a significant portion of a geological feature known as the Otway Basin (Douglas et.al 1988). Kanawinka Geopark has an area of some 26,910 square kilometers across two States and 9 Shire Councils, with some 374 volcanic sites and many other significant geological sites and formations.

The Otway basin that hosts Kanawinka occupies the southern margin of South Australia and Victoria, and also has a significant portion located offshore. This basin formed when Australia rifted away from Gondwanaland (the southern supercontinent), which occurred about 95 million years ago (Drexel et.al 1993) . The sequence of sediments in the basin was deposited from Jurassic through to recent times.

The South Australian portion of the Geopark lies in the 'lower South East' or Limestone Coast of the state, and adjoins the World Heritage area of Naracoorte Caves. The Victorian part lies in 'the Western Districts' of that state. Both areas are famous for their cheese, wine, forestry and rural industries.

The eastern extremity of the Geopark in Victoria is located only about one hour's drive from the state capital city, Melbourne. At the Victorian/ South Australian Border the distance is about four and a half to five hours drive from Melbourne. In the South Australian section it is located four to five hours' drive from that state’s capital of Adelaide.

Volcanic activity in Victoria younger than 7 million years is known as the Newer Volcanics Province or Newer basalts. The activity in Kanawinka Geopark falls into this category. Most of the volcanism is estimated to have taken place from about 5 million years before present (B.P.) to around 5,000 years ago.

Included are 6 sites of International Significance, 14 of National significance along with many of state, regional and local significance. (Geological Survey of Australia Victorian Division and the Standing Committee on Geoheritage, National Estate listings 1980). The region varies from volcanic basalt plains dotted with eruption points through to limestone caves and crater lakes to the ‘Terra Rosa’ of the Coonawarra, with its wonderful wines.

The basalt plains of Western Victoria are listed in the top 6 in the World for extent and complexity, and the Blue Lake of Mount Gambier is of International significance with its unique colour change each year. (Sheard, M. 1978)

The Kanawinka Geopark Board is a community based organization funded by 7 of the 9 Shire Councils and was the driving factor in the Geopark proposal, now supported by Tourism Victoria , South Australian Tourism Commission , The National Trust and the Geological Society of Australia along with the Management bodies of the Sites of Significance of the region.