Cape Bowling Green is the longest spit in Australia, extending north for over 14 km as a narrow, low spit, to form the eastern boundary of Bowling Green Bay. The cape represents the northern terminus for sand delivered by the massive Burdekin River, 40 km to the south. The sand is gradually moved by southerly waves, via a series of spits and bars, along the coast and up the cape. There is no vehicle access to the cape and access from the sea is difficult owing to the numerous shifting bars and usually moderate waves. There is, however, a small automatic lighthouse located 5 km south of the tip. The beach forms the eastern boundary of the cape and varies considerably along the cape. In places it is tens of metres wide and backed by active foredunes, while elsewhere it is nonexistent as waves cut into the backing mangroves. The beach width is largely dependent on the location of the migrating bars and their points of attachment to the shore. The bars and surf zone are equally variable, but usually consist of two bars extending up to 200 m seaward of the beach, with a deep trough in between. Rips are common, but irregularly spaced along the beach and inner bar. read more

Beach Length: 16.5km