34th International Geological Congress (IGC): AUSTRALIA 2012

Q-9B Granite Belt (including visits to Wineries) (continued)
Day by day itinerary Day 1 - Saturday 11th August 2012 - Brisbane to Stanthorpe
After breakfast depart Brisbane by coach and travel along the Cunningham
Highway with a short walk at Main Range National Park (Cunninghams Gap); a
part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World heritage Area. The park is
approximately 30,000 hectares, and sits on the western part of the Scenic Rim. This
escarpment is remnant of a shield volcano that was active approximately 24 million
years ago. Basalt lavas formed a gentle sloping shield shaped volcano which may
have reached 1400 metres in altitude. Prolonged erosion has removed mainly
the eastern side of the volcano, leaving exposed intrusive plugs and dykes. There
is a diversity of plant communities, ranging from subtropical and cool temperate
rainforest, to wet and dry sclerophyll forest.
Continue on to Stanthorpe and to Girraween National Park. Girraween is an
Aboriginal word meaning “Place of Flowers”, and the park is famous for its massive
granite outcrops and large angular tors, as well as eucalypt forests, sedgelands,
and heathlands. The park covers an area of approximately 12,000 Hectares, with
an average elevation of 900 metres. Visit various sites including the region of The
Pyramid and Castle Rock. There will be optional walks in the park, ranging from 1
to 5 km.
Return to Stanthorpe and check into your motel before an evening wine tasting,
tour, and dinner at the Queensland Wine tourist Centre. This major project is
acollaboration between Southern Queensland University/Stanthorpe High School
and Queensland Technical and Further Education and has been developed to
showcase the Queensland wine industry.
Overnight: Motel in Stanthorpe
Meals: B / L / D
Day 2 - Sunday 12th August 2012 - Stanthorpe to Brisbane
Following breakfast depart Stanthorpe and travel into New South Wales to Bald
Rock National Park. Bald Rock is Australia’s largest granite monolith, with the
summit at 1277 metres. The rock is not true granite and is classified as Stanthorpe
Adamellite, being of lower Triassic age showing marked phases in mineralogy and
texture. The park is dominated by the granite landscape as well as dry eucalypt
forests, and grassy woodlands. Spend time to exploring the park with a guided
program before departing in the early afternoon to return to Brisbane with a stop at
a winery if time permits.
Return to Brisbane. Tour ends. Own onward travel arrangements from Brisbane.
Meals: B / L
Equipment Required: Participants should be prepared for cool weather. Sun hat, rain jacket and strong
walking shoes are essential.
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