Dynamic dunes The landscape’s creation began well over 100,000 years ago, and believe it or not, these enormous dunes are ‘alive’ and forever changing. Stockton itself at 32km is the state’s longest beach, and its dunes offer endless appeal.
How big are Stockton dunes?
32 kilometres
The sand dunes are the largest moving dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. They sit across 32 kilometres and, at their peak, can be 40-50m high. They also share the coastline with one of the most beautiful beaches in NSW, Stockton Beach.
Why is there so much sand at Stockton Beach?
Sand then moves onto the beach and accumulates, typically in summer with more northeast winds and waves. A lot of onshore/offshore movement is seasonal or cyclical and is driven by climate. Caption: Longshore drift and comparison of Stockton with Nobbys. The second way for sand to move is alongshore drift.
How sand dunes are formed?
Sand dunes are created when wind deposits sand on top of each other until a small mound starts to form. Once that first mound forms, sand piles up on the windward side more and more until the edge of the dune collapses under its own weight.
What is the length of Stockton Beach?
32 km
Stockton Beach is located north of the Hunter River in New South Wales, Australia. It is 32 km (20 mi) long and stretches from Stockton, to Anna Bay. Over many years Stockton Beach has been the site of numerous shipwrecks and aircraft crash sites.
What is unique about the Stockton Beach sand dunes?
Recognised as the largest moving coastal dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, the shifting sands are forever covering and uncovering ancient Aboriginal cultural sites, including middens, which contain shell deposits and tool-making artefacts, campsites and burial sites.
What is happening to Stockton Beach?
The Newcastle Harbour break waters and navigational channel effectively block new sand moving from Nobbys Beach to Stockton. With no sand coming in, and the waves moving sand north, it means that Stockton Beach suffers erosion.
Does Hawaii get their sand from Australia?
While it’s true that some sand is brought into Hawaii from places like Australia, Polynesia and even China, it serves more utilitarian purposes—namely construction and filling sand traps on Hawaii’s golf courses.
How has Stockton Beach changed over time?
Further sand build-up created a wider beach. Continued sand build-up has widened the beach front. Multiple erosion events saw the SLSC Seawall constructed and covered by dune sand to replace the failed sand bag wall. Stockton continues to experience significant ongoing sand loss.
Can you swim at Stockton Beach?
Stockton Beach is situated just metres from your accommodation at the park and features a patrolled swimming beach that’s well protected from the prevailing winds. The area directly in front of the holiday park is perfect for a dip, beach games for the whole family, and those long, romantic walks at sunset.
Can sand dunes collapse?
Florida man killed in apparent sand dune collapse while filming sunrise, authorities say. A Florida man was killed after a sand dune on a beach apparently collapsed on top of him, the local sheriff’s office said Monday.
What is under the sand dunes?
Now that you understand where sand comes from, and why deserts form, you may already be able to guess what lies beneath the swirling sand. Roughly 80% of deserts aren’t covered with sand, but rather show the bare earth below—the bedrock and cracking clay of a dried-out ecosystem.
What is the largest sand dune in the world?
Duna Federico Kirbus – Catamarca, Argentina
The Duna Federico Kirbus is the highest dune in the world, measuring a whopping 1234 meters in height (2845 above sea level). It was named after Argentinian journalist and researcher Federico B. Kirbus who discovered its real height.
What is the longest beach in NSW?
Coorong beach only has 3 large rocks erupting from its sandy beach, out of the total 222 Km stretch! This is a well-known beach for fishing, surfing, and swimming.
Why Does Australia Have So Many Long Beaches?
| State | Name | Length KM |
|---|---|---|
| New South Whales | Stockton Beach | 31.8 km |
| Victoria | Ninety Mile Beach | 144.8 km |
What is the longest beach in Australia?
The Coorong
The Coorong – Australia’s longest beach
The Coorong, located from Cape Jaffa to the Murray Mouth, is the longest continuous beach in Australia at 194 km.
Can you still drive on Stockton Beach?
You’ll need a Beach Vehicle Permit to drive on Stockton Beach in the Worimi Conservation Lands. The permit allows four-wheel drive and recreational vehicle access to over 22 kilometres of beach and 350 hectares of dunes. This is one of the largest dune driving areas in NSW.
Why are sand dunes important?
Sand dunes provide natural coastal protection against storm surge and high waves, preventing or reducing coastal flooding and structural damage, as well as providing important ecological habitat. They also act as sand storage areas, supplying sand to eroded beaches.
What fauna might you see at Stockton Beach?
A total of 168 fauna species have been recorded in the park – 39 mammals, 12 reptiles, 9 amphibians and 108 birds. Bird species include the endangered curlew sandpiper, little tern and perhaps the most recognised bird – the pied oyster catcher.
Where are Stockton sand dunes?
Port Stephens
The Stockton Bight sand dunes stretch 32 kilometres between Birubi Beach and Stockton in Port Stephens and are recorded as the largest coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
How do humans impact sand dunes?
Excavating, building roads, houses and walkways on coastal dunes or beaches also causes sand dune erosion by disrupting natural sediment processes.
Why does coastal erosion happen?
All coastlines are affected by storms and other natural events that cause erosion; the combination of storm surge at high tide with additional effects from strong waves—conditions commonly associated with landfalling tropical storms—creates the most damaging conditions.