Frequent ‘shows’ of hydrocarbons in Cambrian strata in South and Central Australia have considerably strengthened the belief in the petroleum potential of these Cambrian sediments. In South Australia, prospects for Cambrian hydrocarbon accumulations are thought to exist in the Frome Embayment. This belief is based on the occurrence of thick, basinward-dipping Cambrian sediments along the eastern Flinders Ranges, at the western margin of the Frome Embayment. Geophysical data indicate 14000 feet or more of sedimentary basin fill, most of which is considered to consist of Cambrian rocks. The present stratigraphic study, using data from outcrop sections in the Flinders Ranges, is an attempt to supplement geophysical information by reconstructing Lower Cambrian palaeogeography. Isopach, sand percentage and lithofacies evaluations show a north-east trending, trough-shaped, negative basin in which more than 13000 feet of Lower Cambrian sediments were accumulated. A shallow, stable carbonate shelf adjoined the negative basin to the west whilst carbonate-sand associations formed on a sub-stable shelf to the east of the negative basin. The main source for the clastic components was the Olary Block, situated to the south-east of the Cambrian basin. Limited intake of fine clastics is also indicated from the Mount Painter Block. Lower Cambrian depositional trends are projected basinward and found to corroborate geophysical data in the western portion of the Frome Embayment. Areas of possible sand deposition and biostromal developments are outlined.