Meet the site
Goulden's Hole is the workhorse of Mount Gambier's cave-training scene. It is a smaller sinkhole than Kilsby's or Little Blue, managed by DEW, and the CDAA describes it simply: some yabbies and fish, thermoclines at 15 m, visibility usually good, often used for training and courses. Most CDAA Basic Cave divers in Australia will have done at least one course dive here.
The layout is a compact open bowl with walls dropping from the grassy rim to a floor in the mid-20-metre range, with the daylight zone covering the whole sinkhole. That makes it ideal for practising guideline work, gas-sharing and light signals in a setting with a real ceiling of water but no rock overhead. The thermocline at about 15 m is distinct – the water above can be greener and slightly warmer, and below it the visibility usually opens up. Yabbies wander the ledges and small native fish hang around the shallows and weed.
Booking is formal: DEW caps numbers at 12 divers per timeslot including instructors, requires a minimum of two divers diving together, 48 hours' notice and a signed indemnity, and limits each diver to two slots per day. On course weekends it can therefore be busy, and instructors tend to run skills circuits on the floor while pleasure divers drift the walls. It is not a site you travel across the country to see, but it is a reliable, predictable place to learn, refresh skills or shake down new gear. It suits CDAA Basic Cave divers, trainees and anyone setting up for the more serious sites nearby.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Goulden's 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Goulden's 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 Goulden's 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
Yabbies (freshwater crayfish), small native fish, algae and weed in the shallows
Location
A small DEW-managed sinkhole near Mount Schank, south of Mount Gambier, with clear water, a thermocline at about 15 m and a history as the region's main training sinkhole.
Facilities nearby
Basic parking; no toilets. Fills and hire 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.aucavedivers.com.auscuba.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.