The wind-blown sand dunes of Stockton Beach comprise
the largest continuous mobile sand mass in New South Wales. The yellow
grains have been washed in from the sea and blown ashore to form dunes
up to thirty metres high. Most of the sand was deposited about six thousand
years ago. Despite the stabilising effects of plants such as spinifex,
pigface and bitou bush, the wind-driven dunes move about four metres a
year. The side of a dune is steep and loosely packed, making a perfect
surface for sliding down on a sheet of cardboard or something more elaborate.
Most plants that grow there have an edible part. Fresh
water can be collected from a hole dug anywhere in low ground between the
dunes.