Meet the site
The Black Hole is one of the Mount Schank sinkholes that has dropped off the active site list. The CDAA describes it as a large deep sinkhole with one passage reaching great depth and visibility that is usually very good, graded Basic Cave, and owned by Scotts Agencies Pty Ltd – the same landowner as Ten Eighty and the Bullock Hole, all three of which are marked 'site currently closed'.
From the little published information, the Black Hole follows the regional pattern of a broad open sinkhole with walls dropping into clear groundwater, but with the added feature of a passage that leads off to considerable depth. That passage is exactly the kind of feature that led to fatalities in the Mount Gambier region in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when divers without training or guidelines followed sinkhole walls into deep overhead passages. Under the CDAA grading system, Basic Cave divers must remain in the daylight zone and within their depth limit; deeper exploration would require Advanced Cave qualifications and trimix.
Wikivoyage's list of Mount Gambier cave sites still names 'Blacks Hole', so older guides may suggest it is available; it is not. The row is kept for completeness and to prevent divers turning up at private property expecting access. If access is restored it will be a deep, clear sinkhole suited to CDAA Basic Cave divers with good depth discipline. Until then it should be treated as closed. Private landowners across the Limestone Coast have withdrawn access in the past after breaches of conditions, so respecting closures is part of keeping other sites open.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Black Hole is recorded as Sinkhole/Cenote in Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Black Hole suitable for my certification?
The record lists Cave/Cavern certification. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Black Hole through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Not documented
Location
A large, deep sinkhole on Scotts Agencies land at Mount Schank with one passage reaching great depth; currently closed to diving.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
cavedivers.com.aucavedivers.com.auen.wikivoyage.orgRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.