The Minister for Resources Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today official opened Geoscience Australia's new Geological TimeWalk; a permanent exhibition to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species.
The one kilometre-long trail will take visitors on an educational journey through approximately 4,600 million years in geological time.
Minister Ferguson said: "The Geological TimeWalk takes visitors on a journey where they can explore the geological, climatic and biological events which shaped the Earth as we know it today.
"It's a unique journey providing an easily understood perspective of the relationship between geological and chronological time.
"This new landmark at Geoscience Australia adds a physical dimension to help us appreciate the length of time and the complexity of the evolution of planet."
The TimeWalk highlights the vast ages of most of Australia's mineral resources, dating back, some 1,200 million years ago.
It also features many of Australia's tourist icons, including The Warrumbungles in northern NSW, the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland which were formed as recently as two and half million to 23 million years ago.
Minister Ferguson said: "This is an opportunity for visitors to Canberra to gain an understanding of Australia's geological history.
"As the Minister for Tourism, I particularly welcome this exhibit and I especially hope visiting school groups will take advantage of it.
"I'm also very pleased that people who can't visit this new educational landmark will be able to get information from Geoscience Australia's website to help them create a TimeWalk in their own communities."
For further information on the Geological TimeWalk visit www.ga.gov.au.