Sinkhole near Australia beach swallows vehicles

Brisbane: A massive sinkhole discovered near a beach in Australia`s Queensland state has swallowed vehicles overnight, the media reported on Sunday.

The sinkhole, bigger than a football field and several metres deep, developed at Inskip point near Rainbow beach around midnight, ABC reported.

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

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

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

Fellow camper Sylvia Murray said "it was amazing to see".

Senior ranger Dan Clifton said there is a possibility the sinkhole could get bigger.

"There is a real possibility the hole could expand with ocean currents, so people are urged to avoid the area," Clifton said.