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9. Albert River Estuary

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:705205 to 710250.
Image: West Gippsland Sites of Significance
Rice-grass (Spartina townsendii) and white mangrove (Avicennia marina) on inter-tidal flats - Albert River estuary.

Access:
Old Settlement Beach road; boat from Port Albert.

Ownership:
Mainly private land.

Geology/Geomorphology:
The Albert River is incised into a coastal terrace between Port Albert and Alberton to form an estuary approximately eight kilometres long. The lower section consists of a broad meandering channel bordered by mangroves, spartina and salt marsh.

These salt tolerant plants give way to brackish and fresh water reed and paper bark swamp species as tidal influence decreases along the estuary. The broad, sweeping meanders of the tidal section contrast with the smaller, tighter river meander bends upstream from Alberton.

The lower section of the estuary is a wide embayment which cuts across the older barrier dunes. The margin of the estuary is a steep cliff which exposes buried soil horizons in this dune material.

Significance:
Regional. This is the largest estuary in the study area and contains a diverse salt marsh community including Spartina townsendii. The contrast in meander form is of particular interest.

Management:
Dredging of the meandering section of the estuary would increase the tidal flow and probably lead to erosion of the channel banks. Detailed study of the need for, and the impact of deepening the channel should precede any such activity.

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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