GEOLOGY OF THE SOUTH WEST – VISIT TO THE ROELANDS GRANITE QUARRY

After two failed attempts, the Busselton Naturalists Club will be visiting the Roelands quarry east of Bunbury on Sunday May 21.

Heavy rain caused our two previous visits to be cancelled or changed to a dryer location, but the weather is looking perfect this Sunday.

The Roelands quarry is of great historical significance as its rock was first used by C Y O’Connor to build the breakwater for the Bunbury Outer Harbour in 1897.

The quarry is located in 2.5 billion year old granite and shows some of the stresses and strains that have impacted on rocks of this age.

Access to the quarry is on foot via the 2.9km hail road which is accessible via the settlement of Roelands.

This is a self-drive excursion and participants are asked to meet at 9.30am at the western end of Waterloo Road where it joins Government Road – see image.

People will need to be prepared to undertake a 3km walk up and back, but at least the return walk is all down hill! And the views over Bunbury and the coastal plain will be worth the effort.

Depending on participants’ preferences, we can visit some 2.5 billion year old sediments near the Evedon Park Resort, travel to Bunbury to view the 120 million year old Bunbury Basalt or have lunch at Crooked Brook Forest and enjoy one or more of the three walks there.

The excursion is open to the public and is free of charge. Participants should being morning and afternoon teas and a picnic lunch and folding chair