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1. McGaurans Beach

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 on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay and in the Catchment of Westernport Bay (1984, 88) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the South Gippsland Marine and Coastal Parks (1989) by Neville Rosengren.
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 (external link) section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:087444. Four kilometres south of Giffard.
Image: West Gippsland Sites of Significance
Outer barrier near McGaurans Beach.

Access:
McGaurans Beach Road.

Ownership:
Crown Land and private land.

Geology/Geomorphology:
The outer barrier here is a single, low, dune ridge. Erosion on the seaward face of the dunes during storms sometimes exposes clayey and carbonaceous lagoon sediments at the base of a sand cliff. This indicates that the barrier has migrated inland over the lagoon – this is further shown by the truncated lagoon segments. Behind the barrier and lagoon is the clearly defined marginal bluff.

Significance:
State. This is one of the few recorded sites on the Victorian coast where lagoon sediments are exposed by barrier retreat. It is therefore a rare illustration of one of the processes of barrier formation and erosion.

Management:
There are probably a number of locations between Seaspray and Reeve Beach where lagoonal sediments are occasionally exposed. Continued erosion of the barrier will produce further exposures unless extensive harbour or sea wall construction is undertaken. Detailed investigation of the effects of such engineering works should include the impact on the exposures described at this site.

References:
Jenkin, J.J. 1968. The geomorphology and upper Cainozoic geology of south-east Gippsland, Victoria. Mem. geol. Surv. Vict., 27.

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