The Cainozoic Era in Victoria

The Cainozoic Era. Source: Museum Victoria.

In Victoria, rocks of Cainozoic age deposited in the sea occur along almost the entire southern coast as far east as Orbost. In the Port Phillip region they occur on the eastern side of the Bay and in the Geelong area.

These rock sequences are generally very fossiliferous, the faunas including bryozoans, corals, brachiopods, gastropods, bivalves, scaphopods and echinoids (sea urchins).

Distribution of Cainozoic rocks in Victoria. Source: Museum Victoria.

Rocks of Cainozoic age deposited in fresh water, such as rivers or lakes, are found scattered over many parts of Victoria. Fossils are generally rare and difficult to find in these rocks, but in some places fossil plants are common, such as in the brown coals of the Latrobe Valley.

Gastropod Umbilia eximia, from the Miocene of Victoria. Source: Unknown.

Gastropod Umbilia eximia, from the Miocene of Victoria. Source MV. Source: Museum Victoria.

Echinoid Lovenia woodsii from the Upper Miocene of Beaumaris, Victoria. Source: Museum Victoria.

Gastropod Haliotis naevosoides from the Miocene of Royal Park, Melbourne. Source: Museum Victoria.

Gastropod Ternivoluta antiscalaris from the Miocene of Victoria. Source: Museum Victoria.

Bivalve Chlamys antiaustralis, from the Miocene of Victoria. Source: Museum Victoria.

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