There are a number of lookouts on the eastern edge of the Great Escarpment. Gaze in awe across the forested New England wilderness to the sea. How many peaks can you recognise? There is an information board at one of the lookouts, we also like to use the Peakfinder app.
The landscape below is metamorphosed sedimentary rocks that formed the base of the Ebor Volcano which erupted some 19 million years ago. If you follow the drainage pattern of the valleys, your eye will lead to the central Crescent with the plug at the core of the volcano. The Ebor volcano was about 45km wide and 800m high, but most of this has been eroded.
After enjoying the views, we set off to do the self-guided tour created by geologists?Dr Nancy Vickery and Bob Brown. You may want to print a copy of Nancy and Bob’s detailed tour brochure. GPX route and waypoints may not be accurate due to the cliff faces obscuring satellite access. The weather here can be challenging, so be prepared with appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
After the two lookouts at the Point, there are six stops on this tour (click on the number on the map for a photo and more information)
- Cliff base – thick basaltic lava flow with columnar joints
- Jagged rock bank of basaltic breccia, comprising large angular fragments
- View of cliff face – a major lava flow 30-40m thick
- Eagles Nest lookout – a lava flow above, another flow below, and red oxidised rocks beneath your feet
- Volcanic brecca
- Weeping Rock – two lava flows and red palaeosol breccia, dacite at track level
There are two more lookout as you complete the loop walk.
Back at the Point, we had lunch at the small picnic area and viewed the displays about the Park in the shelter shed, before heading to Wrights Lookout.
You might also enjoy Bob and Nancy’s Red Rock geological tour which has completely different coastal landforms.
