Detrital minerals in Recent sediments from the Sahul Shelf show a well‐defined distribution pattern which can be related to nearby river estuaries. Two major contrasting heavy mineral provinces are evident, characterized in turn by an unstable and a stable suite of minerals. A zone of relatively high feldspar content coincides with the unstable heavy mineral province. The source of the detrital grains is considered to be the dissected lateritic hinterland, and the depth of dissection in any area may determine whether stable or unstable minerals are supplied to the ocean.