 In 1893, "the largest scientific excursion ever held in the Southern Hemisphere" explored the area with Prof. Walter Howchin later demonstrating that the deposits were of Permian age and that Australia was closer to the south pole than today while part of the Gondwanan supercontinent.During that time the south-western two-thirds of Australia, including much of South Australia was covered by an ice sheet.The first detailed description of the geology of the area was published in 1943.