Coastal Changes at Henley & Grange

Along the coastline of Henley Beach and Grange, low vegetated sand dunes separate the beach from the adjacent footpath and road. In some locations, the land is only several metres above sea level.

For thousands of years, natural sand movement has continually shaped the Adelaide coastline. However, in recent decades the rate of coastal erosion has increased. Waves and south-westerly winds transport sand northwards along the coast, gradually eroding some sections of beach while building up others. Wind also carries sand from the coastal dunes onto nearby roads and footpaths, where it becomes trapped and is no longer available to replenish the beach.

Major storm events have further accelerated this erosion. Some of the most significant storms, occurring in 1948, 1953 and 2022, caused extensive dune loss and brought the shoreline dangerously close to the foreshore.

To help reduce these impacts, a range of coastal management measures have been introduced over time. Dune fencing has been installed to trap windblown sand, rock walls have been constructed to reduce erosion, beach replenishment programs have replaced lost sand, and native dune vegetation has been established to stabilise the coastline by binding the sand together.

[Adapted from source: https://adlunicoasterosion.wordpress.com/henley-beach-2/]

THEN/NOW
Drag the vertical slider left and right over the photos below to compare historic and present-day views of the coastline at selected locations between Henley South and Grange.

DISCLAIMER
When comparing past and present scenes using the image slider, please note that the images may not perfectly align. Changes to elevation, access, safety restrictions, and protected areas mean the original viewpoint cannot always be recreated.