Travelers flock to Squeaky Beach in Victoria thanks to its strange ‘noisy’ sand caused by a unique feature

Travelers flock to Squeaky Beach in Wilsons Promontory National Park
The Australian beach is known for its quartz sand that emits a shrill screech

By Shania Obrien for Daily Mail Australia

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Travelers flock to Squeaky Beach in Victoria thanks to its strange ‘noisy’ sand caused by a unique feature Why does the sand squeak? Share or comment on this article:

Updated: 22:43 EDT, July 27, 2023

Travelers flock to an Australian seaside “paradise” for a surprising reason, and the magnificent open sea views have little to do with their piqued interest.

Squeaky Beach is located in Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, and visitors have noticed a “strange” sound emanating from their footsteps when walking across the sand.

True to its name, ‘Squeaky’ Beach contains rounded quartz grains that produce a soft crunch when you step on them.

The seaside site is perfect for adventurous tourists and young families alike, who can benefit from the man-made maze of large granite boulders that beg travelers to wander.

Squeaky Beach looks out over distant islands and granite headlands, the perfect place to disconnect from the crowded cities and relax.

Travelers flock to an Australian seaside “paradise” for a surprising reason, and the magnificent open sea views have little to do with their piqued interest.

The site is perfect for adventurous tourists and young families alike, who can benefit from the man-made maze of large granite boulders that beg travelers to wander.

True to its name, ‘Squeaky’ Beach contains rounded quartz grains that produce a soft crunch when you step on them.

Nature lovers will also be delighted to discover that there are several walks and hiking trails close to Squeaky Beach, including the Lilly Pilly Gully Walk, where bird watchers can spot local stars like Eastern Yellow Robin and Superb Fairywren.

Wilsons Promontory National Park is also home to several native Australian animals, including kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and emus.

The National Park is only accessible by car or rented vehicle, and Yanakie is the closest town to the park gate.

Travel Victoria recommends day trips to the national park, but asks overnight visitors to keep an eye out for active wildlife after dark.

Squeaky Beach is located on the western side of Wilsons Promontory National Park, northwest of the Tidal River.

You can access the beach from the Squeaky Beach Carpark or via short coastal walks from the Lilly Pilly Gully Carpark, Picnic Bay or Tidal River.

Squeaky Beach is located in Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria, and ocean lovers have noticed a “strange” sound emanating from their footsteps as they traverse the shimmering sand.

Why does the sand squeak?

Fine, rounded grains of quartz sand are compressed under your feet, creating a high-pitched grinding noise.

Squeaky beaches are found in many places around the world, on every continent except Antarctica. The white-sand beach in Victoria, Australia has even earned the nickname ‘The Squeaky Beach’ due to the shrill high pitch it produces.

Sand singing has been seen along the beaches of the Atlantic coast and the shores of North America’s Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.

This phenomenon, however, does not occur on all beaches since for the beaches to creak, both the sand and the sea must meet certain conditions.

This is because singing sand is made up almost entirely of grains of white quartz. Quartz is crystalline silicon dioxide, which is widely used for the manufacture of glass. What makes quartz sand special is that it has a well rounded, almost spherical polished surface.

On the other hand, the sand present on regular beaches consists of a wide variety of rock grains, crushed shell particles, and organic matter. They are a mixture of grains with different sizes, shapes, and chemical compositions.

Fountain: Victoria Parks and ABC’s of science

Travel Victoria recommends day trips to the national park, but asks overnight visitors to keep an eye out for active wildlife after dark.

Videos of the peculiar screeching sound have sparked confusion and intrigue around the world, with thousands of people claiming the beach tops their travel wish list.

‘Why is it squeaking? As? I don’t understand!’ said a woman.

“That’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen,” wrote one American. ‘I have to go.’

‘Forget the squeaks, those views are spectacular. So beautiful,” said a third.