Eocene and Jurassic Gardens
It brings to life the Eocene world here before the opening of the great Southern Ocean between Australia and Antarctica which had such a profound A large specimen of Western Australian spongolite (a siliceous rock composed essentially of sponge spicules) of Late Eocene age is a feature in the garden.
Most Jurassic rocks on the coastal plain represent river deposits, but some, from near Geraldton, are fossil beach deposits. They include evidence of the plants growing at that time in the form of wood fragments (driftwood) as well as pollen grains. |
Flanking the Museum’s main entrance is an “Eocene Grove”, through which visitors “step back in Time” as they enter the Museum. The garden consists entirely of plant varieties known to have flourished in Australia 38-55 million years ago. How do we know they existed then? The sediments from that time are full of pollen grains which drifted on the winds and were incorporated in the muds and sands on 
the land and off-shore. Some rocks also include leaves and pieces of wood, so that we can build up a complete picture of the flora in various areas. In the garden are Proteaceae such as banksias (Banksia ashbyi), a wide variety of ferns, cycads and interesting larger species such as the native plum (Podocarpus elatus), the Kaffir plum (Harpephyllum caffrum) and the Rottnest Island Pine (Callitris preisii). 
effect on the climate, particularly in Western Australia. While Australia and Antarctica were still joined, south-western Australia enjoyed a warm temperate climate capable of sustaining rainforest. This changed around 20 million years ago. Antarctica became covered by a large ice sheet, Australia continued to drift north, and the dry climate that we experience today developed.
Outside the rear door of the Museum, and running along the back of the combined Geology and Geography building, is a “Jurassic Garden”. This includes ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba), several different species of cycad, zamia palms and prostrate junipers.