Cronulla sand dunes, Natural heritage dune system in Sutherland Shire, Australia
Cronulla sand dunes form a natural dune system on the Kurnell Peninsula with extensive sand formations stretching between the ocean and inland areas. The landscape consists of rolling sandy hills dotted with coastal plants and established paths that guide visitors through different sections.
This dune system developed around 15,000 years ago when rising sea levels trapped sand and sediment between the ocean and inland rivers. In the 20th century, large-scale sand extraction operations significantly altered the landscape before environmental protection measures halted further mining.
The Gweagal people of the Tharawal nation left traces of their long occupation through rock carvings, shell middens, and stone tools scattered across the landscape. These marks show how people lived and worked in this place for thousands of years.
You can access the dunes from several points along Lindum Road where parking areas and marked walking trails are available year-round. Wearing sturdy footwear is advisable since the sandy terrain can be uneven and loose in places.
Massive sand mining operations between 1930 and 1990 extracted over 70 million tonnes of material, completely reshaping the landscape. The visible scars from this industrial activity show how human intervention can transform natural environments on a large scale.
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