Victoria's Fossils

The geological history of Victoria can be traced back about 550 million years, to when parts of it formed the floor of a deep ocean. Volcanoes erupted on that ancient sea floor and trilobites lived in the seas above.

Many different kinds of fossils occur in sedimentary rocks across Victoria, ranging in age from about 550 million years to about 10000 years old. These rocks were deposited during the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cainozoic Eras.

The table below shows the major Eras and Periods from the beginning of the Paleozoic Era. To find general information on Periods, click on the names in the middle column. To learn about Victorian Fossils in these Eras and Periods, click on the links in the right hand column.

The rocks and fossils of these eras record changes in Victoria's ancient history, from ocean floor to dry land. The fossils range from sea stars and corals to insects and dinosaurs. Plant fossils are also found in many places in Victoria, including Anglesea, Koonwarra and the Latrobe Valley.

Steraula leaf from Anglesea, Victoria. Source: Museum Victoria.

Trilobite Odontochile formosa from the Lower Devonian of Kinglake West, Victoria. Source: Museum Victoria.

Fossil flea Tarwinia australis from the Lower Cretaceous of Koonwarra, South Gippsland, Victoria. Source: Museum Victoria.