Pix Stix
A community photo-monitoring project tracking change along Yorke Peninsula's coast
The Northern and Yorke region is home to a diverse and dynamic coastline. From sandy beaches and dunes to rocky headlands and estuaries, these coastal environments are constantly shaped by tides, waves, wind, and human activity.
Pix Stix is a community-based monitoring program that uses simple, repeatable photography to document changes along the coast over time. By building a visual record, Pix Stix helps communities and land managers understand and care for these valued coastal areas.
What are Pix Stix?
Pix Stix began on the Eyre Peninsula, developed by the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board, and has since been adopted in the Northern and Yorke region. Pix Stix are fixed photographic monitoring points installed at selected coastal sites. Clear instructions allow photos to be taken from the same position on a smartphone over time, creating a consistent visual record.
Repeated images help show:
- Movement of sand and dunes
- Changes in vegetation cover
- Areas of erosion or recovery
- Seasonal and longer-term coastal change
Pix Stix provides valuable insights into how our coasts are changing and adapting.
Why it matters
Understanding how our coastline changes helps communities and land managers to:
- Make informed planning and management decisions
- Identify areas vulnerable to erosion or disturbance
- Track the outcomes of restoration and protection works
- Balance public access, recreation, and environmental health
Pix Stix turns everyday observations into shared knowledge that grows in value over time.
Community involvement
Pix Stix is designed for community participation. Local residents, visitors, schools, and volunteer groups can contribute by taking photos at a Pix Stix location. This approach builds awareness, strengthens connection to the coast, and complements scientific monitoring with on-ground experience.
Where Pix Stix are located
Pix Stix are installed at four coastal sites across the Northern and Yorke region where change is expected or of particular interest:
These locations include beaches, dunes, and headlands, providing a representative snapshot of the region’s dynamic coastline. “View the photo galleries for each site:
Wauraltee Beach | Parsons Beach | Point Souttar | Daily Head
Get involved
If you come across a Pix Stix while visiting the coast, follow the instructions and take a photo. Your contribution helps build a clearer picture of how the region’s coastline is changing.
To learn more, find Pix Stix locations, or get involved, follow program updates or contact us at ny.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au
Partners
Pix Stix is supported by the following partners:
- Department for Environment and Water
- Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board
- Yorke Peninsula Council