Deep Time Sandstone Country: On Foot with a Geologist
Delve into deep time along the Old Great North Road with a geologist - from Gondwana 200 million yrs ago to present day sandstone country. A full day walking excursion focusing on the rocks and landscape of Hawkesbury Sandstone Country from Devine's Hill to Finchs Line.
Gathering at the convict road kiosk for morning tea, join geologist and author Gil Jones along the World Heritage Old Great North Road. Starting up Devine’s Hill (immediately north of Wisemans Ferry) we ascend the convict road which offers a continuous cutting through sandstone. Hear about the characteristics that reveal its origin in Gondwana more than 200 million years ago.
Further along the ridge-top track we follow Finchs Line with panoramic views over the Hawkesbury landscape to the Blue Mountains – a landscape which has evolved in the last 100 million years. Our descent takes us along a roughly hewn track through open forest to rainforest on the valley floor.
Gil Jones trained as a geologist, specialising in Sydney sandstone. He has lived for over forty years in the Macdonald Valley exploring the the rugged landscape on foot. Morning tea included plus complimentary ‘Wasteland, Wilderness, Wonderland: Getting to know Sydney’s Sandstone Country’ written by Gil Jones.