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Different tan colured rock horizontally layered in a cliff face. The cliff is right beside the sea on a low tide.
Fossil Bluff

Fossil Bluff Conservation Area

A timeline in fossils

Find out more

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Dogs on leads are permitted
  • Fishing
  • Parking
  • Picnic facilities
  • Short walk
  • Swimming

ContactExpand/Collapse

  • Stanley Field Centre
    1 Browns Road
    Stanley, TAS, 7330
    Postal: PO Box 715
    Stanley TAS 7330
    Phone: 03 6458 1480

About

​​​​​Take a walk through time to discover Tasmania's rich fossil history. Fossil Bluff is a hidden gem that will not disappoint.​​​

​You will see many fossils in the rocks and sandstone. A rock known as Tillite was formed between 303-290 million years ago by an Antarctic tidal glacier.  It has created the many layers of colour you see in the headland. 

​At low​ tide you will find rocks, crevices, caves and sandstone layers which show a collection of fossils and shells. 

There is a short walk which leads to the Fossil Bluff lookout. From here you can enjoy amazing views across the coastal landscape. ​​​

​Fossil Bluff has rich geological history dating back hundreds of millions of years. A rock known as Tillite was formed between 303-290 million years ago by an Antarctic tidal glacier.  It carried and deposited layers of rocks and sediments. It formed the grey-blue shore rocky platforms, known as Wynyard Tillite. It is 600 metres deep.

Horizontal layers of differnt coloured and textures rock in a cliff face

Wynyard tillite below fossil layers

In the mid-1800's one of Australia’s oldest marsupial fossils was found here by a beachcomber. It was of a Wynyardia bassiana. It looked like a brush-tailed possum.

​​The waters around Fossil Bluff are home to dolphins, whales, and seals. In winter leopard seals and the Australian fur seal lie on the rocky outcrops and beach to bask in the sun. A large variety of molluscs and whelks live on the rocky shores. You may even see white-bellied sea eagles or the Pacific gull soaring around the cliffs. Lapwings, cormorants, fairy wrens, oystercatchers, terns, and plovers can also be seen.

White oblong shaped fossil in bone coloured rock

Fossil fragment

The plant community around Fossil Bluff is of significant conservation value. It provides habitat for the Tasmanian pademelon, southern brown bandicoot, eastern barred bandicoot, and small birds. 

Native vegetation such as Tussock-grass, grows on the exposed cliffs despite the strong winds. It helps protect the cliff face from further wind and water erosion. Local endemic plants are being reintroduced to the reserve as part of the Wynyard Landcare Fossil Bluff Hill Revegetation project. These plants will provide more habitat for the animals that call this place home. 

See more a​bout Tasmania's wildlife. See more about caring for wildlife.

Buy a map from TasMap

​Fossil Bluff Conservation Area is on the North-West Coast of Tasmania, a two-hour drive west of Launceston at Wynyard. 

Turn off the Bass Highway (A2) at Wynyard and head to the township. Follow Sunders Street (C234) across the Inglis River and turn right into Golf Links Road. Then turn left turn into Freestone Crescent. From here you can access Freestone Cove Beach.

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.

​There is parking and picnic tables at Freestone Cove. These are managed by the Waratah Wynyard Council.

A short walking track from Freestone Cove will take you to the top of Fossil Bluff. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of the coastline. This walk is short, but this walk is very steep. 

There is a picnic bench available half-way up this track. There is also a picnic bench the top of the lookout.

At low tide you can walk on the rock platforms. You can see up close the weathering of the Wynyard Tillite. You can also see millions of shells poking out of the geological layers on the cliffs. Remember to check tides before walking.

The nearest toilets and amenities are in the township of Wynyard.

Take only photographs. Collecting rocks, shells and fossils is not permitted within the reserve. The Fossil Bluff Conservation Area is a listed geosite. Geosites provide unique insights into the history of life on earth. ​

​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our know before you go section.