Top 10 Interesting Facts about Remarkable Rocks

“Remarkable Rocks” on Kangaroo Island Photo by Roo72
– Wikimedia commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Remarkable Rocks

A rock, in geology, is any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals or mineraloid matter. It is categorized by, minerals or Mineraloid matter. Some magnificent rocks formed include the Remarkable Rocks at Kangaroo Island.

Kangaroo Island is a haven of lush scenery, unusual animal species and weird rock formations. Remarkable Rocks being one of them. As one of the island’s best. Jam-packed with ancient landscapes, lush greenery and ocean waves crashing on its golden shores. It’s no wonder Kangaroo island is one of the top destinations in South Australia.

Regardless of whether you are travelling there for forestland or beaches, The Remarkable Rocks at Kangaroo Island are sure to pique your interest. Loved landmarks, Remarkable Rocks proves to be a popular hit with visitors time and time again.

The Remarkable Rocks sit on Kirkpatrick point, named after an 1899 shipwreck survivor. The term is from an original chart that described some “remarkable rocks.” On the south of the south coast of Kangaroo Island, the Remarkable Rocks are one of the island’s most photographed landmarks.

A geological wonder dating back some 500 million years, the series of the gigantic sea – weathered granite rocks—perched on the clifftops against a backdrop of the Southern Ocean make for a dramatic sight. Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Remarkable Rocks.

1. The Remarkable rocks were formed over 500 million years ago

A section of the surreal-looking Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island, South Australia Photo by June Lennie – Wikimedia commons

The formation of these rocks began over 500 million years ago, long before humans wandered the earth. During that time the Island was a part of the Island Gondwanaland, the massive supercontinent which contained Australia, South America, Africa and Antarctica.

Once Gondwanaland began to be split, spheroidal weathering began. Millions of years’ weather and sea transformed the large granite boulders to form interesting shapes and sizes.

2. The Remarkable rocks are located inside Flinders Chase National park

The banner near Flinders Chase Visitor Centre photo by Xmhaoyu – Wikimedia commons

Deep inside Flinders Chase National Park lies a lovely formation of rocks. The impressive Remarkable Rocks from what appears to be a cluster of precariously balanced granite boulders.

This stunning work of nature has been shaped by the erosive forces of wind, sea spray and rain over some 500 million years. The golden orange lichen covering some of the rocks offers visitors wonderful photo opportunities at different times of the day.

3. They were formed from molten rock bubbling to the  surface

Remarkable Rocks in Flinders-Chase-National park, Südaustralien photo by Stefan Heinrich – Wikimedia commons

Remarkable rocks were formed centuries ago when molten rock bubbled up to the earth’s surface. When the rock began to cool, it solidified into granite. Wind erosion and sea spray chiselled the rocks into eerie shapes.

Boulders were gradually formed when rain percolated through the granite and decomposed into blocks.

4. The rocks are famous for their unusual shapes

Remarkable Rocks in the Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, Australia photo by Bernard Gagnon – Wikimedia commons

The Remarkable Rocks are the large granite boulders perched 200 feet above the sea in Flinders Chase National Park. Famous for their unusual shapes, their astounding sizes give you a jaw-dropping experience in person.

The rocks are in different shapes, some parts hollow letting you peer out from inside and some you can step on. The area around the rocks is clear and creates an iconic landscape which is seen from miles away.

5. The Remarkable Rocks are a work of tide and time

Cambrian Quartzite High on the south-eastern slopes of Canisp photo by Peter Standing – Wikimedia commons

Made of black Mica, bluish quartz and pinkish feldspar, the darker patches of Remarkable rocks are believed to be the remnants of the Cambrian rocks into which the granite jutted. Continuous wind erosion in a relatively dry climate resulted in the rocks’ bizarre shapes.

6. The Remarkable rocks flaunt eerie contours

Remarkable Rocks in the Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, Australia photo by Bernard Gagnon – Wikimedia commons

Splattered with golden-red lichen, the rocks flaunt eerie contours. One resembles a snarling carnivore, the other a whale’s vertebrae. The contours have appeared throughout time from the rocks’ encounters with agents of erosions. The rocks are a geological freak.

7. The Remarkable rocks were embedded into the earth’s crust

The rocks were embedded into the Earth’s crust about 10kmbelow the surface during the Ordovician period millions of years ago. At that time, Kangaroo island was part of Gondwanaland, the supercontinent in the southern hemisphere which comprised Australia, South America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Antarctica.

Then about 150 million years ago, Gondwanaland splintered into multiple continents, Australia drifted Northward and with it the Ordovician granite.

8. The seaward side of the Remarkable rocks is prohibited

Remarkable Rocks on Kangaroo Island in Australia photo by Oberpepe – Wikimedia commons

For safety purposes, access to the seaward side of the rock is prohibited. The rock’s granite crest has a very steep side too. Unsuspecting tourists viewing the sea from this site might be knocked up by the large freak waves into the chilly sea below.

Worse the slimy seaweed-covered rocks make it impossible to climb out of the water to safety.

9. The rocks are visible on the satellite view

Because of their enormous presence, the Remarkable rocks can be seen on the satellite view on google maps. The collection of gigantic, eroded granite boulders along with the light orange lichen is among the biggest rocks in the Flinders chase national park.

10. They are awe-inspiring

Remarkable Rocks – Kangaroo Island – South Australia panorama photo by Didier B – Wikimedia commons

High on the island’s southern coast, lies the weathered granite boulders that are Remarkable Rocks. A camera captures their abstract shapes while looking towards Antarctica from your perch 60 meters above the Southern Ocean.

The rocks offer visitors wonderful photo opportunities at different times of the day. The area also provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the photogenic Casuarina Islets.

The cold breeze from the ocean rips through like the blade of a knife. Remarkable rocks offer unadulterated scenic bliss that is deeply meditative. The shimmering symphony fills your soul.

No visit to Kangaroo Island is complete without an excursion to Remarkable Rocks. Not only will you get to see one of the islands’ most mesmerizing natural wonders, but you can learn more about the fascinating geology that characterizes the area and tells the story of Australia’s lengthy, rich past.