Micro-continental ribbons form anomalous buoyant crustal material stranded with oceanic crust.  Such ribbons can form in a variety of tectonic settings including incipient ocean crust formation and subduction roll back.  When micro-continental ribbons interact with convergent margins they have a profound effect on the dynamics of the margin and can result in craton and terrane-scale orocline formation and significant translations of crustal blocks.  In this presentation we will show results of geodynamic modelling that demonstrate the influence of micro-continental accretion on subduction systems and show how this relates to the architecture and evolution of the Tasmanides.  We will also revisit the rapid amalgamation of the Australian continent during the formation of the Palaeoproterozoic supercontinent Nuna and illustrate the role of microcontinental ribbons in the growth of the Australian continent.