Hello,


A meeting of people interested in fossils of the 'Hawkesbury-Gosford' area,
with particular reference to supposed fossil trees (I've not seen these
myself) at Box Head is to be held soon.

Fossil trees/stumps have been reported from localities which are likely
topmost Narrabeen Group at both Box Head and Coal and Candle Creek (the
latter seen years ago I understand by a member of Fossil Club .. as I
learned of myself through joining
fossilclubgroup@yahoogroups). The Box Head occurrence I have been sent
photos of .. showing solid dark cyclinders standing vertical in the
sandstone on the eastern side of Box Head. They certainly look like trees
and are very prominent. If they are trees and so prominent it seems
strange that no geologist (as far as I know) has noted them before. Nor
did the park ranger (Bouddi National Park) know they were there, when
contacted.

The walking track is said to take 1 hour to reach Box Head from the nearest
road access.

Other possible sites of interest include reported diprotodont tracks on
shore at nearby bay on coast, and the old railway quarry (if still
accessible?) where all the fossil fish were found in the 1880s. Over 400
fish were obtained. The fossil bed discovery may have been made in or
before 1887 which is when a labryrinthodont was described from it. This
quarry was opened by a Mr Blunt, Railway Contractor. I have a book on
history of Gosford that describes the making of the tunnel there which was
a very remarkable feat for the times. It is stated in the book that the
tunnelers struck a seam of coal, which is also quite unusual for the
expected horizon. The record, if any, of that would also be interesting to
find.

Also to be discussed or prospected at this meeting will be if anyone is
also interested in the fossil forests of Lake Macquarie are. So far known
are about 10+ people possibly interested in Hawkesbury-Gosford area fossils
and maybe 1-3 interested in fossil trees further north (Lake Macquarie) area.

If anyone is interested come to the meeting. Some of all attending are
likely to go on to Box Head or elsewhere. At least two of three locals who
are interested in natural history will be present. The Park Ranger also
might be present if he is available that morning.

Date: Wednesday 13th June.

Place: Maitland Bay Info Centre at 10 a.m. (A map of how to get there can
be emailed).

If anyone is interested in going there by train then it is highly likely
that arrangement to pick up from Gosford Station
can be made. Train times are belows.


Regards,


John Byrnes
Geologist
(http://www.lachlanhunter.deadsetfreestuff.com/JohnByrnes.htm)




~~~ Train times Sydney-Gosford ~~~>

UP
==

Central 7:18 7:40 8:15
Strathfield 7:30 7:52 8:27
Hornsby 7:54 8:19 8:50
Gosford 8:52 9:14 9:37


DOWN
====

Gosford 11:48 12:11 12:48 1:11 1:48 2:11
Hornsby 12:34 1:04 1:34 2:04 2:34 3:04
Strathfield 12:56 1:27 1:56 2:27 2:56 3:27
Central 1:10 1:40 2:10 2:40 3:10 3:40