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207. The Pinnacles - High Sand Ridge

This information has been developed from one or more of these publications:

  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Westernport Bay Catchment (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Environmental Significance in the Flood Plain of the Upper Yarra Valley Region (1983) by Neville Rosengren, Douglas Frood and Kim Lowe (as part of a study of Sites of Environmental Significance by the University of Melbourne for the then Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Authority).
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 (external link) for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.


Location:
Barrallier - 520528. 3 km north-east of Tankerton.
Image: Sites of Significance Westernport Bay
The Pinnacles showing the crescent form of the main ridges. Ridge crests shown by dotted lines, Site 207.

Access:
A sandy vehicle track to The Pinnacles extends to the west from Clump Road, 2 km north of the Clump Road - Tankerton Road junction.

Ownership:
Crown land.

Geology/Geomorphology:
At The Pinnacles, the second highest point on French Island, there is a large accumulation of aeolian sands (Cranbourne Sand) in the form of high dunes. The crest of the dunes rises over 60 m in elevation and about 30 m above the floor of the neighbouring swales. This area contrasts markedly with the generally flat-lying subdued north-east - south-west ridge topography developed in the aeolian sands to the north of the Tankerton Fault. Jenkin (1962) has interpreted the unusual height of the dunes of The Pinnacles as due to an accumulation of sands because of the impeding effect of the Tankerton Fault scarp.
The morphology of the dune crests in The Pinnacles area differs from the generally linear trend of the aeolian ridges to the north. It is possible that the crescent form of The Pinnacles is due to a reworking of mobile sands by south-westerly winds during the period when the waters of Westernport Bay isolated the dunes from their main source of sediment before the dunes were stabilized by vegetation.

Significance:
State. The unusual height, thickness of aeolian sands and morphology of The Pinnacles area, makes this site unique within the Westernport Bay Catchment. The majority of similar dune deposits on the mainland are intensively cultivated and this area is a major example of relatively undisturbed Cranbourne Sand terrain.

Management:
Class 1. In order to preserve the configuration of these aeolian deposits it is strongly recommended that no quarrying, or modifications to dune morphology by roadworks, clearing, grading or cultivation be permitted.

205. Tankerton to River Point
Site 205 to 207, North of Tankerton
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