Page 91 - Cape York 2014

obbold Gorge is Queensland’s inor movement in recent times n order to protect this fragile
youngest gorge, set amongst an M(estimated to be 10,000 years ago Ienvironment, access to Cobbold
ancient landscape. It all began 1,700 rather than millions!) have contributed Gorge is by guided tour only. The
million years ago. Sand and mud to the formation of the lower reaches of interpretive tours provide visitors with
sediment was deposited on what was Cobbold Gorge, as it is today. The gorge an insight to an ancient geological
then the ocean floor, until eventually itself is unique, as it narrows to just 2 story, which continues to unfold each
layers built up to be more than 10 metres in places and is set amid rugged day.
kilometres thick. Movement in the sandstone formations, occupying an
Earth’s crust caused the sediments to area of about 80 square kilometres. This
compress, forming the Hampstead narrowness indicates that Cobbold
Sandstone. Further movement caused Gorge is the youngest known gorge in
the sedimentary rock to fracture. Queensland today. Evidence of the
Torrential wet seasons over many geological processes are clearly visible.
years, spilled torrents of water through It’s surrounded by spectacular cliffs,
the narrow fractures, creating deep which are 19 metres high from the
gorges and permanent springs and waterline to the top of the escarpment
seepages. (30 metres from the bottom of the water
to the top of the escarpment).