Beach erosion in Australia: 10 iconic beaches that are disappearing

Here are 10 well-known Australian beaches and coastlines in danger of being swallowed by the sea.

Apollo Bay, Great Ocean Road, Vic

Hard to beat Apollo Bay, with its seal colonies and lush Otways backdrop. But sections of the famous tourist road, constructed in the early-twentieth century to run close to the ocean and capture its views, will have to be relocated or risk being submerged. Part of the carpark and walkway at Apollo Bay have already succumbed. Sand has been relocated, and seawalls are being considered.

Summerland Beach, Phillip Island, Vic

Phillip Island has one of the most tourist-dependent economies in Australia, and Summerland is world-famous for its penguins. But erosion is an ongoing issue, made worse during storm events. Gravel has started appearing at the beach's western end. A 2014 report by Phillip Island Nature Park determined the beach would retreat eight metres by 2040. The ocean has also been nibbling at Cowes' waterfront.

Inverloch Beach, Inverloch, Vic

This popular surf beach and favoured holiday spot has retreated more than 30 metres in the last decade. The surf lifesaving club's observation post has been moved further inland. Storm surges in September 2019 saw more beach vanish, and the waterfront is almost at the road. In May 2020, a revetment (retaining wall) was completed, but this won't provide lasting protection.

Portsea Beach, Mornington Peninsula, Vic

The beach made famous by early sea-bathing, and later by ironman competitions and millionaires' mansions, has almost entirely disappeared over the last decade. Channel deepening in 2008 for Port Phillip Bay is the likely suspect (disputed by the state government). So far, the only solution has been sandbagging and the construction of a temporary rock bund. Some serious sand relocation is proposed.

Main Beach, Byron Bay, NSW

In late 2020, one of Australia's best-known tourist beaches (and adjacent Clarkes Beach) was entirely overtaken by high tides, which eroded dunes and left behind masses of driftwood and debris. Sandbagging was introduced to protect businesses. In April 2021, more large swells caused trees to collapse onto the beach. Byron Shire Council now urges visitors to stay off the sand dunes and only use designated beach-access points.

Narrabeen Beach, Sydney, NSW

This beach, well known to surfers for its North Narrabeen break, hosted a World Surf League competition in April. But in early 2020 a storm surge at Narrabeen and nearby Collaroy caused backyards and decks to collapse onto the sand. More than 900 homes were evacuated, and 25 metres of beach vanished. Northern Beaches Council says it is ranked third in Australia for at-risk coastal areas.

Stockton Beach, Newcastle, NSW

Stockton Beach, famous for four-wheel drives and camel rides on giant dunes, has lost huge amounts of sand. Last year cabins at Stockton Caravan Park and a childcare centre were relocated to prevent them from tipping into the ocean. The City of Newcastle says millions of cubic metres of sand are needed to return the beach to its former glory, and is reinforcing seawalls. Artificial reefs and headlands are being considered.

Post Office Rock, Beachport, SA

Seawater is expected to break through the dunes at one of Australia's fastest-eroding beaches in the next decade. The Pool of Siloam, popular with tourists for its super-salty buoyancy, will be submerged. Plans are underway to move the Bowman Scenic Drive inland. The shoreline has retreated 135 metres since the first aerial photo was taken in 1946, says a council report.

Palm Beach, Gold Coast, Qld

Since 2019, an artificial $18.2m reef has protected one of the Gold Coast's most vulnerable beaches from wave action. Substantial amounts of extra sand have been added. In 2017 alone, three million cubic metres of sand were delivered onto the Gold Coast's shrinking beaches. A six-kilometre pipeline, due this year, will deliver sand onto the northern coast, including Surfers Paradise.

Port Beach, Fremantle, WA

Perth is necklaced with 160 kilometres of beautiful beaches, and most are under threat. Following a 2019 storm, erosion and coughed-up industrial debris became so severe that Port Beach had to be closed. The City of Fremantle maintains that a "managed retreat" is the only solution. Other beaches at risk include Floreat, Scarborough, adjacent surf beach Trigg, and Mettams Pool.