World Heritage for the Flinders Ranges
Find out why South Australia's Flinders Ranges is being nominated for World Heritage listing.
This page will help you:
- discover what's so special about the Flinders Ranges
- understand the potential benefits of World Heritage listing.
A landscape of global significance
The Flinders Ranges is one of the most significant landscapes on our planet for the study of geology (physical features and history of the earth) and palaeontology (the science of ancient life). The land here tells a story that dates back over 600 million years.
The Adnyamathanha people (meaning hills or rock people) are the traditional custodians of this landscape, which is internationally recognised for its exceptional natural and cultural significance, as well as its historic and scenic value.
World Heritage Listing for the Flinders Ranges is being pursued for its geological and palaeontological significance under criterion (viii) of the World Heritage Convention, which recognises places that ‘are outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features’.
The proposed nomination is focused on some of the world's most outstanding and accessible fossil records, that evidence how complex animal life evolved on our planet.
A story dating back over 600 million years
World Heritage listing and benefits
World Heritage listing is the highest global recognition of a place’s value, not just to a nation, but to humanity as a whole. It confirms that a site has outstanding and exceptional features of global significance.
World Heritage nominations are assessed against strict criteria, and must provide compelling evidence that the nominated property is not replicated anywhere else in the world.
Pursuing World Heritage listing for parts of the Flinders Ranges is an exciting opportunity to recognise and celebrate this remarkable landscape on the world stage, protect its outstanding values, and deliver lasting economic and social benefits for the region, including:
- stronger protection for geological and palaeontological sites
- enhanced recognition and protection of cultural heritage
- regional economic development
- increased tourism and visitation opportunities
- regional economic growth and job creation.
- Improved protection, planning and management of the region and local environment.
