Meet the site
Dave's Cave is one of the six wet cave sites that ForestrySA manages in the Green Triangle forests for CDAA divers. The CDAA listing is brief: 'a ladder, harness, pulley and some ropes are required to access this small site', with a helmet and helmet-mounted light also required. It is graded Cave.
That description says a lot about the character of the dive. Dave's is a small site where most of the effort goes into getting in and out – rigging a pulley to lower cylinders, harnessing up, climbing down with a helmet on – before a relatively short dive in a confined overhead space. Published information on the underwater layout, depth and visibility is lacking, and no secondary sources consulted describe it. Divers should expect the general Mount Gambier pattern for small cave sites: limestone passages or chambers, silt on the floor that clouds easily, and a constant 15°C water temperature.
As a ForestrySA site, it is booked through the forestry online portal and closes on Total Fire Ban days. The requirement for a helmet and rope systems makes it more of a caving exercise than a sinkhole swim, and teams usually include someone with vertical-caving skills. For Cave-rated divers building experience across the region's lesser-known sites, Dave's offers variety and solitude; for visitors short on time, the better-documented sites will be more rewarding. Take the extra time to rig properly and to rehearse the lowering sequence before anyone gets wet. Keep the team small and the plan simple.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Dave's Cave is recorded as Cave/Cavern 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.
- 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 Dave's Cave 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 Dave's Cave 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 small ForestrySA cave near Mount Gambier accessed with a ladder, harness, pulley and ropes.
Facilities nearby
None – forest track parking. Fills in Mount Gambier.
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.auforestrysa.com.aucavedivers.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.