Exploring the Tasmanides: outcrop to ore. ‘Outcrops of the Macquarie Arc’

This three-day field trip led by Phil Gilmore and Dr John Greenfield focusses on outcrop geology of the central and northern Macquarie Arc to view representative igneous and other rocks of the Macquarie Arc and cover geology sequences, including mineralisation styles (e.g. porphyry and epithermal Cu-Au mineralisation), the nature of outcrop and weathering, structural overprint, and the complexity of the regional geology.

The Macquarie Arc is an Ordovician to early Silurian magmatic arc, preserved in the Palaeozoic Tasmanides in central New South Wales. Four phases of magmatic activity (phase 1 oldest to phase 4 youngest), coeval with sedimentation, have been identified. The arc hosts a significant mineral endowment related to magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems, including world-class Cu-Au porphyry-style mineralisation. Subsequent back-arc tectonism across the Tasmanides, particularly though the Siluro-Devonian, has resulted in the Macquarie Arc rocks being distributed through three belts in central-western New South Wales: the Junee-Narromine, Molong, and Rockley-Gulgong belts). Extensive cover sequences to the Macquarie Arc include Siluro-Devonian basins, the Mesozoic Great Australian Basin, Cenozoic volcanism and Quaternary and recent sediments.

The aim of the field trip is to help participants develop field-based geological knowledge of Macquarie Arc rocks. With interactive discussion from
the geodynamic history of the area to optimal mineral exploration techniques, we
ultimately hope to lower exploration risk and aid discovery rates for mineral
explorers.

The field trip will start and finish in Orange, with one night in Dubbo.

Cost: $900 (GST excl.) per person.

Inclusions: transport for field trip (bus), field guide, expert knowledge, morning /afternoon teas, water.

Exclusions: accommodation, meals, drinks, transport to or from Orange before or after field trip. Attendees will need to organize their own accommodation in Orange on 5 November and Dubbo on 6 November (plus prior and after field trip).

Field gear: There will be some short walks on the field trip, but most field stops will be alongside roads. Please bring water bottle, hat, sunscreen, reflective vest, geological gear, appropriate field clothes and enclosed boots or shoes.

Overview itinerary

Wed 05/11/25: Depart Orange 8am with field stops to investigate the southern Molong Belt, with a focus on volcanism, sedimentation and mineralisation associated with phases 2-4 of the Macquarie Arc, including in the Cargo and Cadia Valley areas. Overnight in Orange.

Thu 06/11/25: Depart Orange with field stops in the southern Molong Belt (including Copper Hill area), before heading west to the Parkes area, to investigate volcanism, sedimentation and mineralisation associated the Junee-Narromine Belt of the Macquarie Arc, with a focus on phases 1-4 of the arc, including in the North Parkes area, and an overview of epithermal mineralisation at Peak Hill en route to Dubbo. Overnight in Dubbo.

Fri 07/11/25: Depart Dubbo with field stops in the Dubbo-Wellington-Gulgong area, with a focus on phases 2-3 of the northern Molong Belt, including in the Kaiser-Boda-Myall prospect areas, the Barabolar area to examine the Rockley-Gulgong Belt, and pertinent younger cover sequences to the interpreted northern, covered extents of the Macquarie Arc. Finish field trip in Orange 6pm.

About the field trip leaders

Phil Gilmore is a geoscientist with over 25 years’ experience in geological mapping, mineral systems and understanding the history of the Earth. His experience and expertise including geological mapping, the geology of Australia, mineral exploration, spatial systems, geotourism and geoscience education. Phil also has a long-term interest in the interaction of cultural history and biodiversity stories associated with geology and landscapes. Phil has Bachelor of Science (Hons I) and Master of Economic Geology degrees. He is an accredited geoscientist with the Geological Society of Australia (Ac.Geo.10 in regional geoscience, mineral exploration and information geoscience). He currently works as a freelance consultant (GEMS) and in geotourism (GNT), with his work experience including mineral exploration in NSW and WA, and leading regional mapping programs in eastern Australia (Geological Survey of NSW and Geoscience Australia).

Dr John Greenfield has been a working geologist for 27 years. He has a 1st Class Honours in geology from the University of Wollongong and a PhD from the University of Sydney, mapping in east Lachlan, east Antarctica and central Australia. After four years regional mapping in the Yilgarn for the Geological Survey of WA, he joined CSIRO Exploration & Mining working on base-metal mineral systems in Broken Hill and Indonesia. For Gold Fields Ltd, he worked in Venezuela on orogenic gold targets, and in the regional mapping team of Geological Survey of NSW until becoming the 15th Director in 2014 and stayed in management roles until joining Newmont in 2021 as Principal Exploration Geologist NSW. In 2025 he joined Legacy Minerals as Chief Technical Advisor.

Exploring the Tasmanides: outcrop to ore field trips are booked through GNT Geotrail and Nature Tours.

For insurance and your own safety, please read the following terms and conditions:

By booking on our field trip, you are acknowledging and signing the following terms and conditions:

All participants acknowledge and agree that they take part at their own risk.

All participants must disclose prior to the commencement of the field trip whether the participant experiences any medical condition which may prevent the participant undertaking the tour.

All participants will listen and adhere to safety briefings by the field trip leaders.

Any participant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible guardian.

We reserve the right to change the itinerary of the field trip if required due to local conditions such as weather, fire or road conditions.

We recommend participants bring a hat, suncream and a water bottle, and wear fully-enclosed shoes or field boots suitable for walking. Please bring appropriate clothing for the forecast conditions (e.g. rain jacket). 

Our field trip will operate unless local Catastrophic, Extreme or Severe Fire Conditions, local Severe Weather Warnings (for fire, floods, sustained winds, wind gusts or very heavy rain) or local Severe Thunderstorm Warnings have been issued.

Cancellation Policy

By a participant: notification of cancelation by a participant must be via email. If a participant cancels with less than 14 days notice hours, no refund will be given. Otherwise, a refund will be issued.

By the operator: if we have to cancel a tour, we will notify you by phone or text or email to the contact details provided as soon as possible. A refund will be issued. For the safety of participants, the field trip will be modified or postponed or cancelled if the local fire danger rating is Catastrophic, Extreme or Severe, or if local Severe Weather Warnings (for fire, floods, sustained winds, wind gusts or very heavy rain) or Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued.

COVID-19

Our COVID-19 safety plan follows current NSW Government guidelines. Our guides are fully vaccinated. Social distancing and good hygiene is encouraged on our tours.