Conodonts extracted from thin limestone interbeds in Innamincka Red Beds from near the bottom of Packsaddle 1 indicate an Ordovician (early Arenig) age. The low diversity fauna contains conodonts common to both the North Atlantic and Midcontinent conodont faunal provinces. The co-occurrence of Drepanoistodus forceps and Utahconus (?) bassleri has also been recorded from Newfoundland, Canada where diagnostic early Arenig graptolites have been described. Strata in Australia with a comparable age and fauna to the Packsaddle conodonts probably occur in the adjacent Georgina Basin in western Queensland. Organic metamorphism of the conodonts suggest that the enclosing sediments have subsequently experienced temperatures no higher than between 110C and 120C.