Cretaceous Period: 144-65 million years ago (jan 9, 144000000 BC – jan 9, 65000000 BC)

Description:

Climate: Sudden cooling event and widespread flooding by sea-Great Artesian Basin formed. Between 100mya and 80mya the climate is mostly warm again. From 80mya to 65mya time of change. Terminal cretaceous event 65mya. Sudden cooling, many extinctions. Volcanic activity or possibly asteroid/comet impact.
Continental movement: 125mya Africa leaves Antarctica. India separates from Antarctica and Australia and heads north at the rate of 20cm per year. 100mya Africa separates from South America. 80 mya New Zealand separates from Australia
Australia: Stretching and rifting, Australia via Tasmania stays attached to Antarctica as other continents depart.
Tasmania: Bass Strait basin partly fills but does not quite split.
Vegetation history: 100mya flowering plants evolve in West Gondwana. 90 mya flowering plants migrate to all continents and begin to compete with conifers