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4. Yanakie Dunes

This information has been developed from the publication:
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the South Gippsland Marine and Coastal Parks (1989) 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.

Location965385. Two kilometres coastal sector commencing at Springs Track, Wilsons Promontory National Park and extending northward.

Access:

Springs Track.

Significant Features:

The coast is the lobate end of a complex of dunes that are the eastern extent of the Yanakie Isthmus dune system. Analysis of the dune systems is beyond the scope of this report but the significant coastal elements are the nourishment of a beach system by sand dunes rather than a loss of sand into dune systems. The dunes provide input of a different sediments from that prevailing in Corner Inlet. Sand arriving via the dunes is fine and carbonate rich (Cecil 1983) and compares with the coarse granitic sand derived from other sand sources around Corner Inlet.

Despite the arrival of new dune sand, parts of the vegetated dune front are eroding.

Significance Level:

State. The site demonstrates an unusual process of beach nourishment. There is possibly only one other site on the Victorian coast where a similar process occurs. It is one of the few extended sand beach areas in Corner Inlet.

Management Issues:

The site is robust and no specific management input is required.

Research & Monitoring Requirements:

No details are known of the rates of sand input into Corner Inlet from the dune system. Permanent transect lines are necessary to establish this.

Public Interpretation Possibilities:

The site needs to be presented in the context of the Yanakie Isthmus and is suitable for interpretation and comparison with other Corner Inlet sites. It is one of the few relatively accessible Corner Inlet sites in Wilsons Promontory National Park and is a good illustration of an unusual process of beach nourishment. There is good opportunity for interpretation and for comparison with the western coast of Yanakie isthmus.

Main References:

Tuddenham (1970)

Cox (1974)

Image:  Marine and Coastal Parks Sites of Significance
Yanakie dunes spilling into Corner Inlet
Image:  Marine and Coastal Parks Sites of Significance
Eroding edge of Yanakie dune front in Corner Inlet
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