The University of Adelaide AAPG student chapter conducted its annual field trip to the Otway Basin and Limestone coast in South Australia and Victoria. The five-day field trip was led by Bob Dalgarno, former director of the Geologic Survey of Victoria. The group consisted of not only students from Australian School of Petroleum but also industrial participants from ExxonMobil, Woodside, Cooper Energy, Terratek and Beach Energy. The trip was co-sponsored by the Petroleum Exploration Society of South Australia.

The focus of the trip was the Paleozoic-modern history of the area, from rifting in the Jurassic during the breakup of Gondwana to Cretaceous sediments of the Otway Basin (an active petroleum target), to Tertiary volcanic activity. Stops included several quarries, roadcuts and natural exposures showing a wide variety of geologic features. The hydrogeology and groundwater systems of the Limestone Coast region of Victoria was also examined, including the Mt. Gambier Blue Lake, a flooded volcanic crater. Participants were treated to scenic views of the Australian landscape while learning the history of a unique geology area. Highlights included a lecture from the summit of Mt. Rouse (an extinct volcano), a hike through the Coorong lagoon to see modern carbonate deposition and excellent views of Pleistocene coastal dune systems. A good time was had by everyone and the group contributed several hundred dollars to the local Royal Flying Doctors charity.

This continues tradition of the successful annual field trip held by the University of Adelaide AAPG student chapter in November 2013. A similar three-day field trip was held to the southern Flinders Ranges and participated by both students and industry professionals from Woodside, Geoscience Australia, Beach Energy, Santos, Cooper Energy and Esso Australia. The field trip was also sponsored by PESA (Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia). Last year the field trip focussed on the latest Neoproterozoic sequence of the southern Flinders Ranges.