Bunbury Basalt
There are very few places you can see basalt and the southwest of Western Australia has a number of places you can see it.
These include: Wydalup-Rocky Point in Bunbury and Black Point in D'Entrecasteaux National Park. There is also a section on the Donnelly River, Yeagarup that bassalt can been seen a couple of kms from the Donnelly Rivermouth.
Basalt is black volcanic rock (from a series of lava flows) from millions of years ago. It was formed when Gondana split apart. Thus representing the earliest recorded eruption that potentially co-coincided with the continental breakup. Probably looking at about 130 million years old.
Wyalup-Rocky Point is in Bunbury, it has a large cultural significance to the Noongar so please be respectful when visiting the area. Wyalup means place of mourning.
Black point (named by the basalt) in D'Entrecasteaux National Park, Lake Jasper would be the most impressive area where you can see the basalt in hexagonal columns. Black point is only accessible via 4wd. There are 4wd tours available through Pemberton tourist bureau. The basalt here is often referred to as stepping stones. The stones got their shape when the lava was slowly cooled at the ocean, this cracked and shrunk the lava into the columns. The columns are slowly being eroded by the ocean. If the tide is right you may be able to get close enough to the columns to hear the wind echo through (like organ music).
The basalt on Donnelly River, not far before the river mouth is the most southern spot you can see the basalt and the only section of the river where you will see Marri trees growing. This spot is only accessible via boat.
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