Gantheaume Point facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gantheaume PointWestern Australia |
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The Indian Ocean at Gantheaume Point
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 Gantheaume Point
Location in Western Australia
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| Region | Kimberley |
Gantheaume Point is a special place located about 6 kilometers (4 miles) from Broome, Western Australia. It's a piece of land that sticks out into the ocean, offering amazing views of the Indian Ocean.
Discovering Gantheaume Point
Gantheaume Point got its name on July 24, 1801. It was named after a French admiral, Honoré Joseph Antoine Ganteaume. The name was given by Nicolas Baudin, who led a French expedition. This expedition explored and mapped the coast of Australia, which was then known as New Holland.
A Journey Back in Time
This area is famous for its ancient rocks. You can find large sections of a type of rock called Broome Sandstone. These rocks formed a very long time ago, about 130 million years ago. This was during the Early Cretaceous period, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The sandstone here was made from sand that settled in shallow water.
Dinosaur Footprints
What makes Gantheaume Point truly special are the dinosaur footprints! These amazing tracks are preserved in the sandstone. You can also find plant fossils in the rocks. When the tide is very low, you can see the dinosaur footprints. They are about 30 meters (100 feet) out in the sea. Imagine seeing real dinosaur tracks from millions of years ago! It's like a window into the past.
