The Deadly Sinkhole That Took Four Lives—And Only Elite Divers Can Enter
Hidden beneath a seemingly ordinary paddock in South Australia lies a vast and mysterious underworld. This enormous sinkhole, known as The Shaft, has fascinated adventurers for decades, yet its beauty masks a deadly past. Once open to all, this cavern now permits only elite, CDAA-certified divers after a tragic accident claimed four lives. For decades, thrill-seekers have tried to navigate its dangers, but only a select few are given the chance to explore its awe-inspiring depths.
As the sinkhole continues to captivate the curiosity of divers worldwide, the story of the tragic loss of life has become a part of its history, serving as a somber reminder of the risks that come with exploring nature’s most dangerous wonders. Those who attempt to conquer the bottomless pit must do so with extreme caution and respect for the powerful forces lurking beneath the surface. The path to the bottomless pit has only become more treacherous with time, but its allure remains strong.
A Farmer’s Unexpected Discovery
Imagine strolling across a farm, tending to your daily routine, when suddenly the ground beneath you shifts. This is exactly what happened in 1938 when a South Australian farmer noticed something unusual—his horse nearly stumbled over what seemed like a tiny hole in the ground. At first, the farmer dismissed it as a simple anomaly, but curiosity soon took over. As he investigated further, he realized that there was much more to this hole than he could have ever anticipated.
Unbeknownst to him, this small opening led to a massive underground cavern. According to The Daily Star, what started as a curious disturbance turned out to be a vast, seemingly bottomless sinkhole. The farmer’s discovery was an accidental one, and although it was not the first sinkhole to be found in the area, it quickly became apparent that this one was unlike any other. Since its discovery, this natural wonder has drawn explorers, thrill-seekers, and divers eager to uncover its depths, all while carrying with them the haunting knowledge of the risks involved.
The early exploration of the sinkhole was limited by its remote location, with only a few brave souls daring to venture into the pitch-black void. As its fame grew, so too did the number of adventurers keen to experience its eerie beauty firsthand. The land surrounding the sinkhole became the subject of fascination, with visitors from all over the world coming to see the spot where the ground seemingly collapsed into an unknown world below.
A Hidden Giant Beneath the Land
To the untrained eye, the paddocks surrounding Mount Gambier appear unremarkable—rolling green fields, grazing cattle, and the occasional farmhouse. The idea that something as spectacular as the Shaft could be hiding beneath the surface is almost unimaginable. But lurking beneath the surface is a 394-foot-deep abyss, often described as an underground cathedral. Its vastness is awe-inspiring, and its isolated location only adds to the sense of mystery that surrounds it.
Trevor Ashby, a third-generation dairy farmer and the current landowner, describes the cavern’s scale with a sense of humble disbelief. The land above the Shaft has been in his family for generations, but even he was unprepared for the immensity of what lay beneath. The natural beauty of the cavern, its crystal-clear water, and its nearly endless depths create an almost otherworldly experience for anyone who dares to explore it.
“It looks like an ant hill down there, and we’ve tipped a thousand tonnes of stone down there.” — ABC Australia
Even with these efforts, the sinkhole remains as cavernous as ever. The main chamber spans 140 meters across and, at its narrowest, still stretches 80 meters wide, according to The Border Watch. It’s nearly impossible to fully comprehend the size of the Shaft without standing at its edge and gazing down into the depths below, where the abyss seems to stretch endlessly into the unknown.
Over the years, the area around the sinkhole has been carefully managed to ensure that it remains a protected and preserved site. However, despite the danger and the ongoing efforts to contain it, the cavern remains a fascinating and humbling monument to the power of nature. Every exploration into the Shaft is a reminder of the forces that have shaped the land over millennia, and every dive into its dark waters feels like a journey into the heart of the Earth itself.
The Allure of the Shaft—A Diver’s Dream
For professional cave divers, the Shaft is nothing short of mesmerizing. With its crystal-clear waters, incredible visibility, and unique geological structure, it offers a once-in-a-lifetime diving experience. Unlike many other dive sites, the Shaft offers unparalleled clarity, allowing divers to see the full scale of the cavern, from its towering walls to the distant beam of sunlight shining down from the surface.
Dr. Tim Payne, a Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA) instructor, describes the breathtaking moment of descent:
“It is a truly spectacular sight to behold when you are floating at 40 meters and a shaft of bright sunlight beams through that little hole way above you.”
The diving experience in the Shaft is truly unique—no other site offers such a blend of natural beauty and technical challenge. Divers must rely on their training and instincts as they navigate through the cave’s twisting tunnels and submerged chambers, all while facing the looming threat of getting lost or running out of air. But it’s not just the stunning visuals that draw divers to the Shaft; the sheer scale and isolation of the cavern make it a rare opportunity to experience something completely outside of the ordinary.
Its popularity soared in the late 1960s and early 1970s as diving technology advanced, allowing divers to venture deeper into the depths than ever before. Thrill-seekers from around the world came to experience this submerged wonder, and the Shaft quickly became a must-visit destination for serious cave divers. Its status as one of the premier diving locations in the world continues to this day, though it is now restricted to those with the highest levels of certification.
“We’ve had people who have dived all around the world, and they just couldn’t believe the size of the room we’ve got under our feet in the middle of a cow paddock.” — Cave diving instructor Gary Barclay (ABC Australia)
Social Media Buzz Surrounding the Shaft
The Shaft’s unique allure has caught the attention of social media users across the globe. People on Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram have shared their fascination, concerns, and excitement about the sinkhole. Whether it’s a post reflecting on the cavern’s beauty or a comment about the dangers of diving into such an abyss, these social media platforms serve as a space for worldwide discussion.
Here are some reactions from people who have encountered the story online:
🔹 “Absolutely mind-blowing. I can’t even imagine standing at the edge of that thing. #ShaftCave #Australia”
— @CaveDivingAdventures on Twitter
🔹 “The more I read about the Shaft, the more I want to dive it, but also the more I’m terrified. The tragedies make it so real. Dive safely, folks!”
— Reddit user u/OceanExplorer89
🔹 “This is both beautiful and terrifying. If I ever dive, I hope it’s somewhere as magnificent as this, but also, I’ll take a minute to reflect on the lives lost.”
The reaction from online communities highlights the delicate balance between awe and fear. People admire the sheer scale of the Shaft but are equally cautious about its potential dangers. Many posts emphasize the significance of safety in cave diving and remind fellow enthusiasts to prepare thoroughly before embarking on such an adventure.
A Tragic Expedition—Four Lives Lost
With great adventure comes great risk. In 1973, a group of eight divers set out to explore the Shaft, unaware of the tragedy that awaited them. Their journey into the unknown would end in disaster when the group became disoriented and lost deep within the cavern.
Among them were 18-year-old Christine M. Millott, her brother Stephen, Gordon G. Roberts, and John H. Bockerman. The group had ventured farther than they originally planned, and they soon found themselves in a perilous situation. As they descended deeper into the chasm, the divers became increasingly lost, unable to find their way back to the surface. The group’s situation grew more dire as they began to run out of oxygen, and it’s believed that they succumbed to drowning in the cold, still waters of the Shaft.
A police report from the time detailed their chilling fate:
“There was no hope of recovering alive any of the overdue divers from the outset.” — Former Chief Superintendent Wallace B. Budd
The report suggested that the divers likely ran out of oxygen and drowned, trapped in the cavern’s depths. Tragically, rescue efforts were slow and ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the deaths of the four divers. Despite the passage of time, the incident remains etched in the memories of those who lived through it, serving as a tragic reminder of the inherent dangers of cave diving. The Shaft, once seen as a place of adventure, was now viewed with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
Months of Uncertainty—A Difficult Recovery
Rescue efforts were painstakingly slow. It took almost eight months before the first body was found—and only by accident. A team of divers, trained in deep-water rescue techniques, conducted repeated searches, but the treacherous conditions inside the Shaft made it nearly impossible to locate the missing divers.
The remaining three divers were eventually recovered by two elite divers trained by the Royal Australian Navy. The recovery operation was grueling, requiring exceptional skill and determination to retrieve the bodies from the depths of the cavern. The team’s efforts to bring the victims home were an emotional and taxing endeavor, but they also highlighted the incredible expertise required to navigate the hazards of such dangerous environments.
Despite the grief surrounding the loss of life, the operation marked a turning point for cave diving in Australia. The risks of exploring the Shaft had been made all too real, and the tragedy highlighted the need for more stringent regulations and safety protocols for future divers. The event led to an increase in the professionalization of cave diving in the region, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals would be allowed to attempt such dangerous expeditions.
The Shaft Today—Restricted to the Best
Despite its deadly past, the Shaft remains an attractive destination for elite divers. However, due to safety concerns, it is now only accessible to those accredited by the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA). This accreditation ensures that only those who have undergone rigorous training and have a deep understanding of the dangers involved in cave diving are allowed to explore the site.
This restriction ensures that only the most skilled individuals, trained in deep diving techniques and emergency protocols, can enter this vast, submerged labyrinth. The CDAA sets strict guidelines for access to the Shaft, and only those who meet their high standards are permitted to dive into its depths. This policy has made the Shaft even more exclusive, but it also serves as a way to preserve the safety of divers and prevent further tragedies.
In addition to the CDAA’s role in regulating access to the Shaft, the area around the sinkhole is closely monitored to prevent unauthorized access. The land surrounding the cavern is privately owned, and the local authorities work closely with the landowners to ensure that the site remains protected while still allowing qualified divers to experience its beauty. This balance between preserving the site and ensuring safety has made the Shaft one of the most carefully managed cave diving locations in the world.
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Richard Harris
