Dive the Caves at Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia
Published by Aaron JacksonCrabb
Country: Australia 
The Experience
Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is one of the prettiest cave diving and snorkelling sites in South Australia. To protect this ecosystem, divers and snorkellers must obtain a permit to enter this unique and fragile environment. Over thousands of years, water has been filtering through the limestone and formed the pond's features.
Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is one of the world’s famous cave and chasm systems found along the Limestone Coast 491 km south-east of South Australia's capital Adelaide. Local pioneer divers have been visiting since 1962. Back then, an abundance of aquatic plants, fish, turtles, water birds and less visible invertebrates would have made this an oasis in the swamp.
Today, you can drive nearly 6 hours from either Melbourne or Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road to reach Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. When nearing Mount Gambier from Adelaide or the South Australian border you will see signs directing you to Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. Oriented roughly northwest to southeast, the oval-shaped 30-metre-diameter pond is connected to a 40-metre-long straight water-filled rift running nearly east to west, beginning on the western edge of the large pond. Each section of Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is referred to by its three sections: “First Pond,” “Chasm,” and the “Cathedral.”
First pond is shaped like a bowl, and only 10 metres deep. West of there, the Chasm drops vertically to 30 metres where it constricts to a near-vertical 10-metre-wide tube known as the “dog leg” continuing beyond 60 metres. As the Chasm continues underground at its westernmost end, it drops another 20 metres into the awe-inspiring cavern called the Cathedral. Here in these waters, the Cathedrals' depth disappears into the darkness another 40 metres or more.
Why would you drive 468 kilometres to Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park? Because nothing on this planet will ever match the excitement you will have looking down into forty-plus metres of crystal blue waters. This view alone is worth you rushing to pack for Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. Never will you see a more promising spectacle of pure natural beauty. And the best part is that you can jump into a wetsuit, climb into these pools of fresh water and free-dive to view the insides of the pool, gaze down the rift trying to spot divers, and just swim around with your friends in warm, fresh bathwater temperatures. It’s an experience you should place on your bucket list.
Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is one of the world’s famous cave and chasm systems found along the Limestone Coast 491 km south-east of South Australia's capital Adelaide. Local pioneer divers have been visiting since 1962. Back then, an abundance of aquatic plants, fish, turtles, water birds and less visible invertebrates would have made this an oasis in the swamp.
Today, you can drive nearly 6 hours from either Melbourne or Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road to reach Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. When nearing Mount Gambier from Adelaide or the South Australian border you will see signs directing you to Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. Oriented roughly northwest to southeast, the oval-shaped 30-metre-diameter pond is connected to a 40-metre-long straight water-filled rift running nearly east to west, beginning on the western edge of the large pond. Each section of Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is referred to by its three sections: “First Pond,” “Chasm,” and the “Cathedral.”
First pond is shaped like a bowl, and only 10 metres deep. West of there, the Chasm drops vertically to 30 metres where it constricts to a near-vertical 10-metre-wide tube known as the “dog leg” continuing beyond 60 metres. As the Chasm continues underground at its westernmost end, it drops another 20 metres into the awe-inspiring cavern called the Cathedral. Here in these waters, the Cathedrals' depth disappears into the darkness another 40 metres or more.
Why would you drive 468 kilometres to Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park? Because nothing on this planet will ever match the excitement you will have looking down into forty-plus metres of crystal blue waters. This view alone is worth you rushing to pack for Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park. Never will you see a more promising spectacle of pure natural beauty. And the best part is that you can jump into a wetsuit, climb into these pools of fresh water and free-dive to view the insides of the pool, gaze down the rift trying to spot divers, and just swim around with your friends in warm, fresh bathwater temperatures. It’s an experience you should place on your bucket list.
When to Go to Piccaninnie Ponds
The best time of year to visit Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park is between March and October. The national parks are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The best time to avoid Piccaninnie Ponds is during the summer months of November to February when coastal towns are popular. Hiring a car or four-wheel-drive vehicle is the best way to see Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park.
Roadway driving directions from Adelaide to the Limestone Coast:
Take National Highway One. Travel inland along the Duke (A8) and Riddoch Highways (A66) or take the coastal drive via the Princes (B1) and Southern Ports Highways (B101).
Premier Stateliner operates a daily coach service between Adelaide and Mount Gambier, along both the coastal and inland routes.
Flights to Mount Gambier are available daily from both Adelaide and Melbourne with Regional Express (REX).
The best time to avoid Piccaninnie Ponds is during the summer months of November to February when coastal towns are popular. Hiring a car or four-wheel-drive vehicle is the best way to see Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park.
Roadway driving directions from Adelaide to the Limestone Coast:
Take National Highway One. Travel inland along the Duke (A8) and Riddoch Highways (A66) or take the coastal drive via the Princes (B1) and Southern Ports Highways (B101).
Premier Stateliner operates a daily coach service between Adelaide and Mount Gambier, along both the coastal and inland routes.
Flights to Mount Gambier are available daily from both Adelaide and Melbourne with Regional Express (REX).
Odds n' Ends
A Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park permit system for diving or snorkelling must be obtained through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Permits are non-transferable and must be produced upon request by a ranger. The permits are issued subject to conditions. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in cancellation of the permit, or court action. A maximum of two dive or snorkel timeslots per person are allowed per day.
A diving permit can only be issued to divers who are current financial members of the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA), and rated at sinkhole category. Proof of current CDAA membership and categorization is supplied to DENR Mount Gambier office by the CDAA. Bookings must be made no less than 10 days prior to the intended dive date if the diver does not have a current Permit/Indemnity form on file at the DENR Mount Gambier office.
Snorkel permits are issued to any individual. It is a requirement that full-length wetsuits must be worn by snorkellers. A Snorkel Indemnity form must be completed by each applicant. Bookings can be made with DENR Mount Gambier office by phone or in person. Opening hours are 8.45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
For further information contact:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Office 11 Helen Street
PO Box 1046
Mount Gambier SA 5290
Phone (08) 8735 1114
Fax (08) 8735 1135
http://www.parks.sa.gov.au
The sun can be extremely intense in Australia. To avoid skin burn, seek shade whenever possible, particularly between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. When out in the sun, wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and neck. Use a maximum protection, broad-based spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30+.
South Australia has four distinct seasons:
Winter: June to August. Temperatures Max 15.9°C, Min 8°C
Spring: September to November. Temperatures Max 21.7°C, Min 11.6°C
Summer: December to February. Temperatures Max 28.3°C, Min 16.5°C
Autumn: March to May. Temperatures Max 22.4°C, Min 12.5°C
A diving permit can only be issued to divers who are current financial members of the Cave Divers Association of Australia (CDAA), and rated at sinkhole category. Proof of current CDAA membership and categorization is supplied to DENR Mount Gambier office by the CDAA. Bookings must be made no less than 10 days prior to the intended dive date if the diver does not have a current Permit/Indemnity form on file at the DENR Mount Gambier office.
Snorkel permits are issued to any individual. It is a requirement that full-length wetsuits must be worn by snorkellers. A Snorkel Indemnity form must be completed by each applicant. Bookings can be made with DENR Mount Gambier office by phone or in person. Opening hours are 8.45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
For further information contact:
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Office 11 Helen Street
PO Box 1046
Mount Gambier SA 5290
Phone (08) 8735 1114
Fax (08) 8735 1135
http://www.parks.sa.gov.au
The sun can be extremely intense in Australia. To avoid skin burn, seek shade whenever possible, particularly between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. When out in the sun, wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and neck. Use a maximum protection, broad-based spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30+.
South Australia has four distinct seasons:
Winter: June to August. Temperatures Max 15.9°C, Min 8°C
Spring: September to November. Temperatures Max 21.7°C, Min 11.6°C
Summer: December to February. Temperatures Max 28.3°C, Min 16.5°C
Autumn: March to May. Temperatures Max 22.4°C, Min 12.5°C
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- Maggie's Farm Shop
- Creating shortrun products based on the best quality produce in season is how Maggie started with the Farm Shop. Whether a ute full of peaches or a trailer of blood oranges, the produce always drives the product. In order to function as a shortrun kitchen again, the Farm Shop’s menu has shifted from set lunchtime meals to foodie-friendly all day eating. In Maggie’s words, “picnic fare”, whether inside or out. An opportunity to pick your own collection of goodies from Maggie’s famous delectables; pates (of course!), Pheasant and Porcini Terrine, cheeses, olives, woodfired bread and quince paste galore. So many morsels and so much more time for indulgence. With so many requests to enjoy Maggie’s delicious food at all times of the day, it just makes sense that the new menu runs from the time of opening at 10.30am through until 5pm.
- Wild Ginger
- Thai food is known to be chilli-hot but traditional thai dishes must not be predominantly hot. There must always be a harmony in a dish. The sharpness of the chillis in a curry dish is toned down by the sweetness of the coconut cream. The textures and the fragrances of herbs which also enhance the flavours and tastes of the fish sauce and other delicate ingredients. Dinner, the main meal, consists of at least three dishes with rice. Dishes are not courses but served all at the same time. One should take a mouthful of this and that in whatever order one prefers” Chalie Amatyakul
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- Beachport Escape
- Beachport Escape is the perfect beach house, tastefully furnished with relaxed living in mind. Bright, open rooms allow the evening sea breezes to cool the day's warmth. The spacious living area features double glass doors opening out onto a wide "Alfresco" deck. We have spent many rewarding hours renovating our house to give it the welcoming, holiday atmosphere it has today. Our vision and expectations are now complete and we are sure you will get as much enjoyment and relaxation from your holiday in our house at Beachport as we do.
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- elson Hotel operates seven days a week. We offer excellent meals and boast a very extensive menu and a variety of local and interstate wines and beverages. We also offer accommodation 'hotel style' as well as a self-contained cottage. We cater for functions such as weddings and conferences and also have a well-stocked bottleshop.
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