Vanishing Falls (Tasmania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vanishing Falls |
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 Location in Tasmania
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| Location | South West Tasmania, Australia |
| Coordinates | 43°23′33″S 146°38′11″E / 43.39250°S 146.63639°E |
| Type | Ledge |
| Elevation | 390m |
| Total height | 70 metres (230 ft) |
| Watercourse | Salisbury River |
Vanishing Falls is a unique waterfall in south-west Tasmania, Australia. It's called "Vanishing Falls" because its water doesn't flow into a river below. Instead, it disappears right into a sinkhole! This amazing natural wonder is found on the Salisbury River, deep inside the Southwest National Park.
How Vanishing Falls Disappears
Vanishing Falls is a special type of waterfall called a ledge waterfall. This means the water flows over a flat, hard rock layer, like a shelf. At Vanishing Falls, the Salisbury River flows over a strong rock called dolerite. This dolerite sits on top of a softer rock called limestone.
When the water reaches the edge of the dolerite, it doesn't just fall into a pool and continue as a river. Instead, it drops straight into a large cave system hidden within the limestone below. This happens because of something called karst processes. Karst is when water slowly dissolves soft rocks like limestone, creating caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers.
Because of these underground passages, the riverbed below the falls is usually dry. You only see water flowing there during very heavy floods. The Salisbury River itself is a smaller stream that eventually joins the New River.
Visiting Vanishing Falls
Vanishing Falls is located in a very wild and remote part of Tasmania. It's surrounded by thick, dense plants and trees. Because of its remote location, there are no marked paths or trails that lead directly to the falls. This makes it a challenging place to visit, even for experienced adventurers.
