Coffee rock

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Coffee rock on K'Gari. AUS Fraser-Island Coffee Rock.JPG
Coffee rock on K'Gari.

Coffee rock is the common name for dark brown, brittle rock-like formations that are made of sand weakly cemented together with decayed vegetation from soil. [1]

Coffee rock has been exposed by coastal weathering process on the beaches of Broadwater and Bundjalung National Parks in New South Wales, Australia. [2] In addition, exposures can be seen in North Queensland, Australia at Kurrimine Beach, and in South East Queensland on K'gari and at the entry to Coonowrin Lake in Caloundra.

Exposed Coffee Rock on the beaches Fraser Island is more likely the beds of old lakes in the sand dunes when the sea level was lower and one of the most well known sites of it on the island is at Bowarrady Creek. [3] In places it is peat-like and embedded with wood ranging from small twigs to large tree trunks up to 1200mm in diameter, with some evidence of fire on the wood before being assembled. [1] [4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Intertidal high wave energy over coffee rock on a sandy beach". wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au. 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  2. Department of Environment and Climate Change (1997-08-01). "Broadwater National Park, Bundjalung National Park and Iluka Nature Reserve Plan of Management" (PDF). NSW Government. ISBN   0-73107-6559 . Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  3. Greiner, Emma (2023-02-22). "Fraser Island". Visit Fraser Coast. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
  4. "Nature, culture and history | Fraser Island, Great Sandy National Park". Parks and forests | Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. 2009-10-19. Retrieved 2025-07-14.