6pm - Blanche Cave

Guest Speaker - Ian Lewis

Ian Lewis’s geological research over the last 20 years has revealed many of the secrets of the Limestone Coast’s unique Geological Landscape. Come and hear Ian talk about the things that make the South East special from a geological perspective.

Great geological events have happened in our region to form the Limestone Coast. Ian will talk about the faultlines, granite hilltops, volcanoes, wetlands and the many cave systems in the exciting story of our landscape and why it is so special, shaped by the Ice Ages and having two World Heritage areas - one of Caves and one of Volcanoes.

Ian D Lewis grew up in Mount Gambier and became a cave explorer and cave diver, exploring and mapping the caves and sinkholes here and under the vast Nullarbor Plain. He is a hydrogeologist with the Groundwater Team in the South Australian Department for Environment and Water. Ian is completing his PhD on the geology of the Naracoorte World Heritage Fossil Caves and their relationship to the Kanawinka Faultline. He is also Honorary Director of Kanawinka Volcanic Geotrails which link volcano sites across the South East and Western Victoria.

Presentation and Q&A

6.30pm - Blanche Cave

Australian Rare Earth's (AR3) Technical Director - Rick Pobjoy

AR3 have discovered a unique clay hosted Rare Earths Mineral Deposit throughout its Koppamurra Exploration Project area. Rick will talk about Rare Earths, what they are, why they are there and why they are in such demand, all over the world.

Presentation and Q&A

7 - 8pm BBQ and Refreshments

****Optional Extra****

Limited Tickets Available - Bookings essential

5pm - Alexandra Cave - Free Guided Tour

This spectacular cave is one of the Naracoorte Caves’ special treasures. Discovered in 1908, Alexandra Cave is full of speleothems – stalactites, stalagmites, and columns.

Duration: 30 Minutes (approx.)