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Linear buildups formed in tropical carbonate environments are often interpreted as bioconstructed reefs. Nevertheless, coastal processes can also form extensive sedimentary ridges exhibiting buildup morphologies. This study investigates two Miocene ridges developed along the Australian North West Shelf using 3D seismic and well data. Ridge 1 is ca. 30 m thick and >60 km long, and it is made of foraminiferal pack‐grainstones. It protects a lagoon with pinnacle morphologies. Ridge 2 is ca. 150 m thick and >80 km long. It is composed of quartz sand forming lobes. Both ridges have a continuous curvilinear front and are in a mid‐shelf setting. They mimic the modern Australian coastline. It is then proposed that Ridge 1 is either: (1) a barrier reef developed on a drowned shoreline, or (2) stacked carbonate aeolianites and beachrocks acting as a barrier. Ridge 2 is interpreted as stacked deltaic sands. This …