Ancient features in crystalline basement and resurgent tectonic structures post-dating the Delamerian Orogeny controlled the pattern of Upper Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cainozoic sedimentation in the Great Australian Basin. This study describes the regional stratigraphy of the regolith, as a basis for studies in geomorphology, sedimentology, pedology and physical aspects of the environment. It describes the geology and older weathering zones of the Precambrian, early Palaeozoic and the Delamerian Orogeny, and sediments, weathering zones, calcareous, ferruginous and siliceous pans from the late Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, Palaeocene - Pliocene - Pleistocene. The formation of palaeosols is discussed in relation to tectonics, sedimentation, climatic change and floral evolution.