Tin City: Preserving History in the Dunes

Located behind the rolling sand dunes of Stockton Beach, Tin City is a unique settlement of tin sheds that represent a story of resilience and community in the face of hardship. Built from corrugated iron and driftwood, the settlement began in the late 1800s with two tin sheds established to aid stranded sailors. By the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the area became home to squatters, including returned soldiers, who built additional shacks to create a self-sustaining community in the harsh dunes.

Tin City reached its peak with over 30 huts, but World War II disrupted the settlement as the Australian Army dismantled the shacks to set up a military camp. After the war, the shacks were rebuilt, and to this day, eleven of the original huts remain, protected under a 100-year squatter’s lease signed in 1920. These shacks, which cannot be sold and are passed down through families, are governed by the Worimi Conservation Lands Board, who manage the area on behalf of the traditional custodians, the Worimi people.

The settlement's unique beauty and historical significance have made it a popular filming location, including for the original Mad Max. Today, visitors access Tin City by 4WD with guided tours offering a glimpse into the lives of its residents, traversing Stockton Beach’s impressive dunes — the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere.

This forms part of a broader discussions on sand exports from Stockton Beach, with Australia sending silica and quartz sands overseas, including to the United States. Though Stockton’s sands are not specifically linked, the beach has faced significant erosion. In 2023, a $6.3 million project replenished over 130,000 cubic metres of sand to help address the issue.

This unique settlement, with its rich history and enduring presence, continues to captivate visitors and locals alike. As a testament to the human spirit and the deep connection between people and the land, Tin City remains an integral part of the cultural and historical landscape of Stockton Beach and the broader Hunter Region.