Dive into marine parks experiences this July

Despite the chill in the air, South Australia’s coastal environments are wonderful places to explore in the colder months of the year.

Our spectacular marine parks are being celebrated as the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) July Parks of the Month, with a series of fun and educational activities planned across the state.

These parks provide important protections to our aquatic environments which boast of iconic species such as southern right whales, bottlenose dolphins, leafy sea dragons, great white sharks and Australian sea lions.

The Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park is the only place in the world where giant cuttlefish are known to gather in large numbers, with thousands aggregating in the waters near Whyalla each year to breed.

Marine parks are also vital areas for a number of bird species like hooded plovers, Australian pelicans and little penguins.

NPWS Marine Parks Coordinator Dr Shelley Paull has been working in Eyre Peninsula’s marine parks for 17 years and said we were lucky to have such an incredible network of marine parks.

“Marine parks protect and conserve our precious oceans, with their diverse habitats and spectacular coastal scenery,” Ms Paull said.

“Winter is a special time in our marine parks and provides us with a number of unique opportunities to witness what truly is an array of amazing species.”

NPWS has created a program of activities to celebrate our great marine parks, including:

• Guided snorkelling events with tour operator Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries to see the aggregation of giant cuttlefish in Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park
• Cuttlefish Art Workshops with artist Wildcard Sue in Whyalla, Port Augusta and Henley Beach
• Check out the Cuttlefest Program for a host of awesome activities happening in Whyalla
• CuttleFest Science in the Pub at the Roopena Football and Sporting Club in Whyalla
• Whale watching with the Marine Park Rangers at Basham Beach near Victor Harbor
• Kondoli, a Ngarrindjeri cultural tour at Granite Island
• Ranger-guided Granite Island and Encounter Marine Park walk
• 50% discount on Fleurieu Marine Education guided walks and school holiday activities in Victor Harbor
• Sea Shepherd beach clean-up at Waitpinga Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula
• Free film screening in Victor Harbor of ‘Sea Lions: Life by a Whisker’, which is a documentary taking viewers on an intimate journey inside a colony of Australian sea lions
• 20% off Seal Island and Southern Ocean Adventure tours with Big Duck Boat Tours at Victor Harbor

To book, visit: www.parks.sa.gov.au/get-inspired/park-of-the-month