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19.8 Carisbrook Falls

This information has been developed from the publications:
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne (1986) by Neville Rosengren
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance on the Coast of Port Phillip Bay (1988) by Neville Rosengren.
  • Sites of Geological and Geomorphological Significance in the Shire of Otway (1984) by Neville Rosengren.
Geological heritage sites, including sites of geomorphological interest and volcanic heritage sites, are under regular revision by the Geological Society of Australia, especially in the assessment of significance and values. Reference should be made to the most recent reports. See the Earth Science Heritage (external site) section of the Geological Society of Australia website for details of geological heritage reports, and a bibliography.

Location:19-442142. Three kilometres west of Cape Patton.

Carisbrook Falls

Access:

Great Ocean Road.

Ownership:

Mainly Crown Land.

Geology/Geomorphology:

The Carisbrook Creek flows across beds of marine arkose that outcrop in the stream channel and dip in a downstream direction at 15
o to 25o. This intersection gives rise to a series of rapids, cascades and small waterfalls along a stream distance of 500 metres that involves a total vertical fall of almost 200 metres.

A number of structural controls on the configuration of the stream bed and the walls of the confining gorge are evident including the orientation of the channel, the height and slope of several small falls and cascades and the development of potholes and incised channel sectors.

Significance:

State. This is the longest and highest rapid and cascade section of any stream in the study area. It is an outstanding site to study the relationship between structure and stream development.


Abrasion pothole - Carisbrook Falls.
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