Chances are, you’ve been to Victor Harbor. But did you know that hidden in the Inman Valley, just 14km away, lies one of the world’s largest and oldest glacial pavements? Glacier Rock – also known as Selwyn’s Rock—is a geological wonder and offers a rocking history spanning over 500 million years.
Fraser Farrell, former geologist and ‘rock doctor’ of the Fleurieu Peninsula region, says the rock was once part of a vast mountain range that was bulldozed by an ice cap about 300 million years ago.
“An enormous Antarctica-sized ice cap was sliding over it, you know, flattening out everything in its path,” says Fraser.
“All the bedrock’s been chopped off by the action of the ice cap. As the cap moves, it’s not just ice, it also has billions of rocks embedded in it that are scraped up.”
It’s estimated that the ice cap pressing down on the area was at least 1,500 metres thick —that’s taller than most of the world’s highest skyscrapers!
“That’s how we know it was a huge ice cap. We’re not talking about some dinky little mountain lazy here. This is a serious ice cap,” he adds.
The rock was found in the 1850s by geologist Alfred Selwyn and was declared one of the largest glacial exposures in the world by Doctor Albert Terrones Mexico in the 1900s.
Since, it has become a site of global interest and, according to Fraser, a standard excursion for geologists.
“Not just Australia, it gets visits from all around the world.”
“It might not be the world’s biggest, but we’re talking about a tennis court size here.”
But It’s not just the gigantic size that draws people to the landmark – its discovery marked the first evidence of an Ice Age in Australia.
“That definitely adds a bit of a historical note, especially with the technology back in those days,” he says.
“Most other glacial pavements around the world are less than three million years old. It took a while before late 19th century geologists deduced ours were older than the dinosaurs.”
“If you read some of the very early discovery notes about Selwyn’s Rock, they’re trying to figure out which Ice Age caused it.”
It’s not every day that you get to walk on a rock that has been through an Ice Age and was around before the T-rex… talk about a chilling experience.
Admittedly, Fraser believes the landmark isn’t the only thing drawing people to the area. Right above sits Belicious, a Belgium café known for its hot, fluffy and delicious Belgium waffles.
“That’s another reason it’s a favourite stop for geology excursions…. and as a patron of the café, really good Belgium waffles.”
If you’re keen to see this natural marvel, a flight of stairs leads down to the rock, allowing visitors to get up close. For those who prefer to stay above ground, a viewing platform offers a spectacular vantage point.
A slice of rock-solid history with a side of sweetness is just another reason to visit the Fleurieu Peninsula. If you don’t visit, you’re living under a… well you know the rest.
WHAT: Selwyn’s Rock
WHERE: 1 Mount Alma Road, Inman Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula
Belicious: Tuesday – Sunday, 9am – 3pm
For more information, click here.
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