We have nominated the Flinders Ranges in South Australia to the World Heritage List.
The nomination recognises an important record of Earth's evolution. It is home to fossils from the Cryogenian, Ediacaran and Cambrian geological periods. These fossils date to around 672 to 510 million years ago. They show evidence of some of the earliest animal life on Earth.
There are more than 40 species of these fossils in the Ediacara fossil site. This is a National Heritage site within the Nilpena Ediacara National Park. The Park is one of 7 sites included in the nomination.
The nomination includes:
- 3 National Parks
- 2 pastoral lease properties
- 1 special protection area.
Balcoracana Paddock is one of the sites included. It is home to the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby and Western Quoll. These are vulnerable species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.
The 4,576-hectare property is being added to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. It was recently purchased by the South Australian Government. The Australian Government supported the purchase through the Protecting Important Biodiversity Areas Program.
The Australian Government submitted the nomination to the World Heritage List. The South Australian Government prepared the nomination following years of collaboration with:
- geologists
- palaeontologists
- Traditional Owners
- community members
- government
- non-government organisations.
The World Heritage Centre has accepted the nomination and will now assess it. The World Heritage Committee will make a final decision, expected in mid-2027.
The Flinders Ranges are on the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and their generosity in supporting the nomination.
