The Detention Falls, a
cascade waterfall
A waterfall is a point in a river or stream where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of steep drops. Waterfalls also occur where meltwater drops over the edge of a tabular iceberg or ice shelf.
Waterfalls can be formed in several wa ...
on the Detention River, is located at
Milabena
Milabena is a rural locality in the local government areas of Waratah-Wynyard Council, Waratah-Wynyard and Circular Head Council, Circular Head in the North West Tasmania, North West region of Tasmania. It is located about west of the town of W ...
in
North West
The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...
Tasmania
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, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
.
Location and description
The falls are situated about 20 km west of
Wynyard, approximately 220 m above sea level,
and are located within the 3.29 km
2 Detention Falls
Conservation Area
Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...
at Milabena. The Detention River, its headwaters forming within the Dip Ranges, flows for about 23 km before discharging into
Bass Strait
Bass Strait () is a strait separating the island state of Tasmania from the Australian mainland (more specifically the coast of Victoria, with the exception of the land border across Boundary Islet). The strait provides the most direct waterwa ...
. The river mouth is adjacent to the small communities of Detention and Hellyer, near
Rocky Cape
Rocky Cape National Park is a national park on the North West Coast of Tasmania, Australia. It is located at a geographical headland and surrounds the town of Sisters Beach. It is located approximately 365 km by car northwest of State ...
.
At the point of the falls, the river forms a narrow channel through the
quartzite
Quartzite is a hard, non- foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone.Essentials of Geology, 3rd Edition, Stephen Marshak, p 182 Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tect ...
rock above, before cascading onto a series of irregular steps, into a basin within the small gorge below.
Public access
The viewing platform and walking track was closed to the public following engineering advice in 2008, and the platform was subsequently removed.
A hazard sign at the start of the walking track advises that the viewing area is unsafe and may collapse.
Gallery
See also
*
List of waterfalls of Tasmania
*
Protected areas of Tasmania
Protected areas of Tasmania consist of protected areas located within Tasmania and its immediate onshore waters, including Macquarie Island. It includes areas of crown land (withheld land) managed by Tasmanian Government agencies as well as priv ...
References
External links
Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania
{{Australian Waterfalls , state=autocollapse
Waterfalls of Tasmania
North West Tasmania