Insane pics of ‘sinkhole’ eating beach at Queensland’s Inskip Point

Incredible images from an iconic Aussie tourist location show a dramatic transformation as a ‘sinkhole’ eats up a beach.

Incredible images from a major Queensland tourist location show a dramatic transformation as a beach is all but eaten up by a “sinkhole”.

Inskip Point, the launch point for anyone wanting to travel to K’gari (Fraser Island) by car, shrunk significantly on Monday — but locals, tourism operators, and experts all say the striking phenomenon is business as usual.

In a stroke of luck, a photographer from Gympie captured the radical transformation within less than 48 hours.

John Clough’s photos, taken by drone and framed almost identically, showed the change between Sunday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

Sunday afternoon. Picture: John Clough/ Infinity Flights Photography

Tuesday morning. Picture: John Clough/ Infinity Flights Photography

Mr Clough told news.com.au he was “very fortunate” to capture the striking before-and-after shots, stating he couldn’t resist heading back to the beach for a follow-up shot on Tuesday morning when he heard of the sinkhole.

The owner of Infinity Flights Photography captured what can only be described as a large underwater hole that had eaten up half of the exposed sand spit.

Mr Clough said he was very fortunate to capture the stunning transition. Picture: John Clough/ Infinity Flights Photography

He said clips are common, adding the latest isn’t even the worst he’s seen in recent history.

Other drone footage from Monday, captured by rangers, shows the waters rapidly lapping away at the beach, as large chunks break off and disappear into the water.

While the word “sinkhole” is often used, experts and authorities label the event a “near-shore landslide.”

A sinkhole at Inskip Point in 2015 claimed a car, a caravan, and tents.

Despite the dramatic images, landslips are frequent at Inskip Point, where ocean currents constantly rip in and out of the Great Sandy Strait and Hervey Bay.

The movement of a large body of sand causes the quick formation of an underwater cliff that shifts towards the shore as the sand slips seaward.

A land slip at Inskip Point today, June 3, was captured by rangers on drone footage.

Visitors to Inskip Point caught a sinkhole opening up on Inskip Point on Anzac Day 2024 while the area was flooded with hundreds of campers.

Another reportedly opened up in the area as recently as late April, while in 2015, a footy field-sized landslip swallowed a car, caravan, camper trailer and tents.

The Department of Environment confirmed that the latest landslide had created a “large, deep hole” and warned people in the area to avoid getting too close.

“K’gari barge access has not been affected, however, a large section of the barge landing has sunk,” a spokesperson said.

“All camping areas and beach driving areas at Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area remains open.”

Manta Ray Barge, which ferries vehicles to and from K’gari, reaffirmed the slide has not impacted operations.