Flora and Fauna

Chinchilla Sands

"Chinchilla Sands" is one of the three most highly significant Australasian fossil sites, and is placed on the National Heritage list. The local fossil fauna is regarded as an excellent example of complete Mid-Pliocene faunal assemblages and includes representatives from molluscs, frogs, bony fish, reptiles (freshwater turtles, crocodiles, skinks, geckos, snakes, goannas), birds and mammal families.

Hando's Wattle

Hando's wattle (Acacia handonis) is on the rare and endangered species list and was named after local botanist, Val Hando. Chinchilla wattle (Acacia chinchillensis) and Brown’s bossia (Bossiaea brownii) are also rare species endemic to this region.

The Chinchilla White Gum

(Eucalyptus argophloia) is a species endemic to the area, occurring naturally in a strip approx 40 km by 10 km in the districts of Burncluith, Pelican, Nudley and Burra Burri. It is an excellent hardwood milling log and is currently being trialed in many other districts to assess its suitability for plantation growth.