Salt Pan Cove facts for kids
Salt Pan Cove is a beautiful spot on the eastern side of Pittwater, located in Newport, New South Wales, Australia. You can get there by walking down Prince Alfred Parade, which leads to the creek and cove using timber steps. If you want to visit South Beach, look for the public stairs on Hudson Parade, across from Hansford Parade, and then follow the coastline south.
Land and Rocks
The land around Salt Pan Cove is made from ancient rocks. These rocks are mostly a mix of shale and sandstone. They are part of what geologists call the Newport Formation. The soil here is a special type called Watagan soil. It's usually brown or red and can be quite deep.
Plants and Animals
You can find some cool trees still growing here. These include the Spotted Gum, Cabbage-tree Palm, Swamp Oak, Forest Oak, and Blueberry Ash. Keep an eye out for squirrel gliders! These small, furry animals are a threatened species in New South Wales. They are especially rare in the Pittwater area, but they have been seen close to the cove.
Aboriginal History
Salt Pan Cove is an important place for Aboriginal history. Several ancient sites called 'middens' are found along the muddy shore. Middens are like old rubbish dumps. They show us what people ate long ago. They are mostly made of shells.
- One midden near South Beach is mostly oyster shells.
- Another midden to the north has lots of shells, about 70% of it! You can find oyster, mussel, cockle, and mud oyster shells there.
- A third midden has been worn away by the waves. It contains oyster, mud oyster, mussels, and cockle shells.
- A fourth midden, also worn by waves, has oyster, mud oyster, periwinkle, and mussel shells, making up half of its contents.
