Beach Number:

qld1286

Includes Beaches:

Akens (west)

State/Region:

QLD - Stanage

Post Code:

4702

General Beach Hazard Rating:

2/10 ( Least hazardous)

Beach

The coast between the southern headland of West Bight and Sabina Point, 10 km to the south-east, consists of a series of low headlands and continuous tidal flats backed by a series of 11 irregular high tide beaches. The whole section is fronted by Akens Island, which lies 3 km offshore and is connected at low tide by tidal flats. When approaching this area from any direction, the view is dominated by conical, 230 m high Pine Mountain, located 5 km in from the coast. There is gravel road access to Pine Mountain and a vehicle track from there along the back of the coast to some shacks on Sabina Point. Otherwise there is no development and no facilities. The entire section faces roughly north-north-east and receives very low wind waves, except at high tide during strong Trades when waves might reach 0.5 m high.

At the eastern end of beach 1285 the low slopes of the Normanby Range again reach the coast, forming four open embayments that end at the more prominent 10 m high Sabina Point. The first two beaches, 1286 and 1287, lie directly south of Akens Island. They are 700 m and 1.2 km long respectively and face north. The first beach is a low, vegetated sand spit that ends at a small tidal creek, while the second is backed by a low, casuarina-covered dune.

Swimming

All these beaches are only suitable for swimming at high tide, with kilometres of low, sandy tidal flats exposed at low tide.

Surfing

None.

Fishing

Only at high tide, with the tidal creeks offering the best spots.

General

Seven isolated beaches all located in the military reserve and little used except during training exercises.