Aussies warned after close call at 'packed' 4WD beach
The landslide can be seen swamping fresh tyre tracks can be seen in the sand.
Access to an Aussie holiday destination frequented by hundreds of tourists in their 4WDs has been rocked by a “massive” landslide.
On Friday, Queensland police renewed calls for motorists to avoid the area between Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach — a popular access point for K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) which lies to the north.
Local tour guide Tyron van Santen spoke to Yahoo News Australia as he prepared to head out and survey the damage. “It’s packed up there today… it’s the Christmas holidays so there are a lot of cars up there,” he said.
After the landslide occurred on Thursday, film shot by a 4WD driver in the area showed the fallen sand moments after the event. “Hopefully no one is trapped under here,” the man quips as he surveys the area during his short clip, which was uploaded to TikTok under the banner "Literally just had a landslide happen on the way to Double Island Point". No one is understood to have been injured by the event.
Second major landslip in six months
The landslide is the first major erosion event to occur since August. After that event, drivers were described as “very lucky” not to have been hurt and photos showed a vehicle trapped in the sand.
Tyron was kayaking with a tour group from Epic Ocean Adventures at the time and was one of the first on scene. "One of them was sort of in the car as it was happening and they were able to quickly get away from it but so close to someone getting injured," he told the ABC at the time.
Since then the beach has significantly changed, but he believes more sand has been dumped back on the beach, than eroded away.
Thursday’s landslip was likely triggered by “heavy rain” and “massive swells” which have been inundating Australia’s east coast throughout the holiday period. Reflecting on the recent landslips and weather changing weather patterns caused by climate change would negatively impact access to the area long-term, Tyron said he is concerned.
“It’s such a tricky place to get to. Things change very quickly. You always hope for the best, but you never know,” he said.
How police are issuing updates about Rainbow Beach landslip
If you are in the area and unsure of how to access other parts of the beach, a local identity known as the Ice Man has been providing regular updates on his Facebook page since the landslide occurred on Thursday.
Police have also been updating visitors to the area via their Facebook page. In a statement issued to Yahoo News Australia, it added that the route will remain closed today.
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“Local council and police are on scene, assisting with clean-up efforts,” it said. “The Fresh Water inland track is still open; however, motorists are urged to plan their trips in advance.”
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