Horizontal Waterfalls
Located deep within Talbot Bay
about 20 miles to the east of Cockatoo
Island in the Buccaneer Archipelago are the Horizontal Waterfalls. These
twin gaps are part of the McLarty Ranges which has 2 ridges running parallel
about 300 metres apart. As you approach the Horizontals it is very hard to
pick the gaps from the cliffs until you are practically on top of them.
The first and most seaward gap is about 20 metres wide and is sheer as you can
see in the photos. You go through the first gap into the bay between the
falls and the water calms off briefly. The second gap is the most
spectacular as it is only 10 metres wide.
On the slack tide it is possible to drive the boats through the 2 gaps to the bay behind but it soon becomes a daunting task when the tide starts to run. The tides in this area have a 10 metre variation which happens over about 6 and a half hours from low to high and vice versa. The effect of the waterfalls is created by the tide building up in front of the gaps faster than it can flow through them and there can be a 4 metre high waterfall between the bays.
The Horizontal Waterfalls are included in Unreel Adventures 5 day Buccaneer Archipelago Safari, 7 day Sale River & Buccaneer Archipelago Explorer and 10 Day Prince Regent Ultimate Adventure.