The Horizontal Falls are one of Australia’s strangest natural attractions, a
unique blend of coastal geography and powerful tidal forces that visitors pay
big money to see up close. But all that is about to change. Located at Talbot
Bay, a remote spot on the country’s northwestern coastline, the falls are
created when surges of seawater pour between two narrow cliff gaps, creating a
swell of up to four meters that resembles a waterfall. For decades, tours have
pierced these gaps on powerful boats, much to the dismay of the area’s
Indigenous Traditional Owners, who say the site is sacred. It’s not the only
reason the boat tours are controversial. In May 2022 one boat hit the rocks
resulting in passenger injuries and triggering a major rescue operation. The
incident led to calls to halt the tours for safety reasons. Although the boat
trips have continued, the concerns of the Indigenous Traditional Owners have now
been heeded, with Western Australia, the state in which the falls are situated,
saying they will be banned in 2028 out of respect.