8822-3 Telegraph Point

Sites 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:	565410. 12 km east of entrance to Mallacoota Inlet.	Sites 8822-1 to 10
Abstract:	Cuspate foreland with active transverse dune ridges.
Access:	Walking access only from Mallacoota Inlet or termination of 4-whee drive track across Howe Flat.
Ownership:	Crown Land (Croajingolong National Park).
Geology:	Quaternary dune sands and minor swamp deposits.
Geomorphology:	Telegraph Point is a large cuspate foreland developed by wave refraction around Gabo Island and comprises a complex of active and stabilized parabolic dunes, mobile transverse dune ridges and small barchan dunes. Numerous inter-dune lakes and swamps occur and temporary lagoons are impounded on the eastern side of the point by the formation of small spits and bars. The open and western side of the foreland consist of a wide beach from which sand is blown into hummocky dunes, transverse ridges and barchans which migrate downwind and spill into the sea along the eastern side. During part of the 19th century the foreland was linked to Gabo Island as a tombolo but this connection has not been maintained since 1889. The accidental introduction and spread of Ammophila arenaris along the shoreline is leading to rapid physiographic changes in the coastal dunes.
Significance:	National. This is one of the largest sandy forelands in south-eastern Australia and displays a variety of aeolian accumulation forms. It is a major site for the study of dune dynamics, for changes that have taken place over historical time and for the monitoring of the affect of introduced plant species on the configuration of coastal dunes.
Management:	Motor vehicles of all types should be excluded from the dune areas between Mallacoota Inlet and Cape Howe.
References:	Rosengren, N. J. 1978. The Physiography of Coastal Dunes, East Gippsland, Victoria. M. A. Thesis (Unpub.), University of Melbourne. Rosengren, N.J. 1980, 'Dune Systems on Cuspate forelands, East Gippsland, Victoria', Proc. R. Soc. Vict., 92 :106-119.

Telegraph Point (from Rosengren, 1978)

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