Historical information

Mt Greenock is an extinct volcano with lava flows associated with a deep lead. It is a tall scoria cone with a broad shallow crater open to the northwest. In the crater are blocks and bombs of scoriaceous basalt. Long lava flows extend both north and south from the cone. It is considered a significant geological site, and part of the Major Mitchell Trail, with a 1936 ‘Centenary of Major Mitchell ‘monument on the summit.

The flow to the north has been eroded by McCallum Creek which is a lateral stream. On the eastern base of the cone, the stream valley exposes a lava flow and underlying sedimentary rocks.

The lava flow and the scoria cone overlie the Greenock lead (a buried valley with auriferous gravels). A line of mine tailing and abandoned mining relics associated with the former Union Mine occur on the margins of the lava flow.

Mount Greenock is a 120 hectare ‘Geological Reserve’, is one of the few large scoria cones on public land and contains abundant outcrop and morphological evidence of its volcanic origin.

Physical description

Colour Photographs of bluestone and brick buildings at Mt Greenock, near Talbot, Victoria. The photographs were taken in winter not long after the first post drought rains.