The southern edge of Australia is the site of non-tropical biogenic carbonate formation over a greater expanse of continental shelf than the Great Barrier Reef. The variety of modern environments and sedimentary facies in this region, and the major factors responsible for sediment accumulation and preservation are summarized. The area extends almost 2000km and spans 8 degrees of latitude, from 40 degrees south at Bass Strait to about 32 degrees at the head of the Great Australian Bight. A similar latitudinal position is occupied by the North Island, New Zealand, where closely comparable cool temperate carbonates are present.