Wild ocean meets tranquil stream at the stunning, constantly-changing Prawn Rock Channel.
While the channel, a popular destination since the late 1920s, exists year-round, a sandbar normally separates the Wilson Inlet from Ocean Beach.
High wintertime water levels in the inlet require a channel to be dug through the sandbar to prevent flooding into surrounding roads and properties, and allowing the flow of water between the inlet and ocean. During high tide, the flow of ocean water into the inlet means the channel fills with stunning turquoise waters, while low tide means the flow of inlet water out to the ocean, stained with tannins from the gum leaves that fall into the inlet’s tributary streams and rivers. Water levels generally start to lower towards the end of summer when the beach naturally fills the dug channel.
This means that the Prawn Rock Channel can change drastically between visits, not just in colour but in depth, strength and direction of flow, and even temperature!
Prawn Rock Island, also known as Dog Island, forms one side of the channel – you can access the small island and its walking paths via two small footbridges.