Disappearing Falls (Three Falls Cave)

Mt Field National ParkGPS Coords: -42.6709, 146.5035
Land Tenure: National Park

Updated on 01 Jul 2024

Disappearing Falls
© 2015 - 2024 Photography: Caedence Kuepper
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Grade 5 Hike
Suitable for very experienced hikers only.

4km's2 Hours returnRough unformed track No directional signage

No Modification of the natural environment.

Dogs are not allowed
Drones are not allowed
Unknown if accessible with a caravan
Unknown if accessible with a campervan or RV
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About Disappearing Falls (Three Falls Cave)

Hidden away in the western corner of Mt Field National Park in the Florentine Valley is an impressive and unusual waterfall that makes a 15 metre free leaping plunge into a sinkhole that links up into a significant cave system. The Florentine Valley is well known for its karstic activity with nearby attractions including the Devils Swallet and Junee Cave, with the creek from this falls forming part of this underground river system. The cave that Disappearing Falls drops into is known in caving circles as Three Falls Cave - as two thin companion waterfalls also tumble into the cave beside the main falls, and a visit to the falls can be combined with further exploring to several other caves including the Tassy Pot within a radius of 200 metres or so. 

To reach Disappearing Falls, travel north along Florentine Road coming from Maydena for 17km, then take a right onto Nine Road (unsigned at the time of writing). After 500 metres you will come to a Y fork - turn right here and continue another few hundred metres to a right turn onto a nondescript 4wd track, where it's advisable to park and walk the rest of the way to the waterfall. The walk up the 4wd track is about 1.7km before arriving at an old makeshift pullout where some ribbons on the left lead up a rough but distinct trail towards the falls. The trail leads initially to the entrance to a deep cave no more than 100 metres from the road, but from here the track becomes much rougher. Turn right into the forest away from the cave, and skirt around the top of a shallow sinkhole, then follow the gully where the creek flows underground upstream. There are markers in places and signs of a trail in places, but in general it is not difficult walking by off track standards, and 5 minutes later you will start to hear the falls ahead. One final steep descent into the sinkhole brings you out at the base of Disappearing Falls. The falls plunge onto a massive pile of boulders, with the creek disappearing here and flowing into the cave, hence the name. Some further exploring will bring you to the entrance to the cave proper, while back at the main road following the road 50 metres further up ribbons lead down to Tassy Pot on the opposite side where there are two deep caves to check out. The waterfall, potholes and caves make this an unusual, but very worthwhile place to explore, though it goes without saying that extreme care should be taken as the caves are extremely steep and deep. 

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