Huge Queensland beach sinkhole forces camper evacuations

A major sinkhole swallowed vehicles at a popular camping spot near Queensland's Rainbow Beach on the night of Saturday 26th September.

The sinkhole, bigger than a football field, developed at Inskip Point around midnight.

A car, caravan, a camper trailer and tents were swallowed almost immediately.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) said that the 150-metre sinkhole is three metres deep and takes up a large part of the MV Beagle campsite.

Holiday-maker Casey Hughes told ABC the sinkhole "sounded like a thunder noise" as it opened up.

Fellow camper Sylvia Murray said "it was amazing to see", adding “people were basically on the edge of it with their van, trying to madly get their vans out.”

A car, caravan, a camper trailer and tents were swallowed almost immediately.

The QPWS spokesperson said 140 people had been evacuated from the site.

Queensland Police and State Emergency Services crews were quickly on site, helping those in the immediate vicinity to leave.

QPWS Senior Ranger Dan Clifton said there is a possibility the sinkhole could get bigger, stating “there is a real possibility the hole could expand with ocean currents, so people are urged to avoid the area.

"(We) have erected traffic barriers and warnings signs to advise beachgoers of potential risks.”

QPWS said they will continue to monitor the situation and will approach geotechnical engineers to provide an assessment of the site.

Image: Aerial view of a major sinkhole at Inskip Point (Facebook: Kieren Hudson)

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