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195. Smith Point - Hanging Valley

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:

Woolamai – 473366. 50 m west of the car park south-east of Beachcomber Estate.

Access:

Smith Point Road.

Ownership:

Crown land.

Geology/Geomorphology:

A small stream has cut a well defined channel into hard red tuff beds and developed a miniature gorge 8 to 10 m high. The channel descends steeply across a series of small falls and plunge pools. The site is an excellent example of a hanging valley.

Significance:

Regional. Although small in scale, the site is a classic example of a hanging valley and the best such example in the study region.

Management:

Class 1. No disturbance of any kind should be permitted at the site. No part should be filled, drained, regraded or otherwise have its present configuration altered.
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