What was thought to be a massive sinkhole at a popular camping ground north of the Sunshine Coast may be a landslip.

About 300 campers had to be evacuated when the ground at Inskip Point slipped away, swallowing vehicles and camping equipment.

Anna Hawke reports.

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This morning, the chasm had doubled To 200 metres long, 50 metres wide and up to nine metres deep.

And the exclusion zone has been further extended, for safety reasons.

On Saturday night, the ground in the popular beachside campsite started caving in, trees, tents, even vehicles, disappeared.

Fortunately, all campers got out safely.

Geotechnical engineers have begun investigating.

They now believe, what was initially thought to be a sinkhole, is more likely a land-slip caused by ground instability.

Allison Golsby, Geotechnical Engineer: “There are many reasons that these things can happen, one of these is a sinkhole type event, the other is that slips or slumps appear to be a contributing factor.”

She says the area has a history of sinkholes, and at this point, experts don’t know for sure what it is, or how it will progress.

The State Government says the event came as a shock, and the main priorities are to focus on the health of people involved and protecting the site.

Kate Jones, Qld Tourism Minister: “The Government will be meeting to discuss what if anything we can do to ensure the long-term viability of that site.”

It’s unlikely any campers will be allowed back into the area for at least the rest of the school holiday period.

Anna Hawke, QUT News.