8822-1 to 10 Mallacoota to Cape Howe

This information has been developed from the publications:

Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in Central Gippsland (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams and S.M Kraemers.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Gippsland Lakes Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in East Gippsland, Victoria (1981) by Neville Rosengren, M.S McRae-Williams

Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:	The sites inidcated display aspects of the geology and geomorphology of Mallacoota Inlet, the Howe Range, and the coastal dunes and wetlands east of Telegraph Point. Several features are of outstanding significance for the study of estuary and dune dynamics and there are major reference sites for two geological formations (Gabo Island Granite, Merimbula Group) not represented elsewhere in Victoria.	Sites 8822-1 to 10
	Mallacoota Inlet is a large, branching compound estuary formed by the submergence of the lower valleys of the Genoa and Wallagaraugh rivers adn the partial enclosure of a marine embayment by sand barrier and dune accumulation. At least one pre-Holocene phase of submergence is represented by remnants of a barrier formation that occurs as the Goodwin Sands and along the northern edge of Howe Inlet. This earlier barrier has been dissected during lower sea level phaes and displays a leached soil profile overlying hard brown "coffee-rock" indicating a lengthy period of weathering and soil development.
	Since the mid-Holocene sumbergence of Mallacoota Inlet (approximately 6,000 year ago), sedimentation due to rive inflow, tidal currents wind action and accumulation of salt marsh and freshwater swamps has substantial reduced the area of open water and has isolated several lakes and lagoons around the estuary margin (e.g. Lake Barracoota).
	The sites selected in and adjacent to Mallacoota Inlet display stages in the formation of the estuary and provide examples of the main sedimentary processes that modify its configuration.
	The ocean east of Mallacoota entrance is predominantly sandy but a short rocky sector occurs from Iron Prince Reef to Cape Howe. Of major significance are the cuspate forelands developed in the lee of Tullaberga and Gabo Islands as these largely determine the pattern of dune sedimentation on this sector of coast.
References:	Rosengren, N. J. 1978. The Physiography of Coastal Dunes, East Gippsland, Victoria. M. A. Thesis (Unpub.), University of Melbourne

Coastal physiography - Mallacoota Inlet to Cape Howe (from Rosengren, 1978

Lake Wau Wauka to Cape Howe. Contours on mobile sand surface - 1973, (from Rosengren, 1978)

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