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198. Surfies Point - Cliff Top Dunes

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 – 505361. Sunderland Bay Estate.

Access:

The Esplanade.

Ownership:

Crown land and private land.

Geology/Geomorphology:

South-east of Sunderland Bluff, the amount of sand in the beach and nearshore zone increases and the orientation of the coast allows westerly winds to be more directly onshore. The cliffs here are lower and not as abrupt as those to the west and this has resulted in sand being blown up the cliff face and forming areas of isolated cliff-top dune.

Significance:

Regional. The site illustrates a transitional stage in the geomorphology of the southern coastline from the cliff-dominant systems of the central and south-western coast to the beach and dune systems of the south-eastern coast.

Management:

Class 1. Only minimal disturbance to the dune systems should be permitted. Access tracks should be directed away from the dunes, and removal of sand or vegetation prohibited.
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