Where Was Australia 250 Million Years Ago?
June 14, 2026
Australia today is known for its heat, its deserts, and its unique wildlife. But 250 million years ago, Australia was a cold, high-latitude landmass attached to Antarctica, forming part of the vast southern supercontinent Gondwana.
Australia's Position on Pangea
At the time of Pangea, 250 million years ago, Australia sat at roughly 60 to 75 degrees south latitude, well within the polar region. It was directly attached to Antarctica along what is now the southern margin of Australia. To the north and west, Australia was connected to the rest of Gondwana, including India, Africa, and South America.
The global climate 250 million years ago was cold across much of Gondwana. Australia was at the edge of or within a large Gondwana ice sheet. Tillites and glacial pavements found in various Australian states, particularly in South Australia and the Northern Territory, are evidence of this ancient glaciation.
The Glossopteris Forests
Despite the cold climate, Australia was not barren. Glossopteris, the distinctive seed fern that grew across all Gondwana continents, formed polar forests across much of Australia. Coal deposits formed from these forests are found across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, making them some of the oldest coal deposits in Australia.
The Glossopteris fossil record in Australia matches perfectly with the record in Antarctica, India, Africa, and South America, providing powerful evidence that all these landmasses were joined during the Permian period.
The coal deposits of Queensland and New South Wales formed from ancient Glossopteris forests that grew on a cold Gondwana Australia roughly 300 million years ago.
Australia's Long Journey North
After Pangea broke up, Australia remained attached to Antarctica for an unusually long time. While other Gondwana fragments separated earlier, Australia and Antarctica stayed joined until about 35 million years ago. This late separation is part of why Australia's wildlife is so unique, having evolved in isolation for a relatively long period.
Since separating from Antarctica, Australia has moved northward at about 7 centimeters per year. It is currently the fastest-moving major continent. In about 50 million years, Australia will collide with Southeast Asia, closing off the seaway between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Australia near the South Pole 250 million years ago?
Yes. Australia was at roughly 60 to 75 degrees south latitude, within the polar region, and was directly attached to Antarctica as part of Gondwana.
Why does Australia have such unique wildlife?
Australia's unique wildlife, including marsupials like kangaroos and wombats, evolved in isolation. After separating from Antarctica about 35 million years ago, Australia drifted northward as an island continent, allowing its animals to evolve independently.
How do we know Australia was attached to Antarctica?
Multiple types of evidence confirm the connection: matching rock types along the margins of both continents, identical fossil assemblages, paleomagnetic data, and the geometry of the tectonic plates.