Diving Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia
A short video of a dive undertaken on Sunday 12th October 2014 in Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, located in South Australia approximately 32km south east of Mount Gambier or 482km south east of Adelaide.
Piccaninnie Ponds is a recognised wetland of international importance. The crystal clear waters have been slowly filtering through the limestone and forming the Pond's features over thousands of years. The freshwater rising to the surface under pressure has eroded a weakness in the limestone to form The Chasm. This same process has formed the large underwater cavern known as The Cathedral creating its majestic white walls of sculptured and scalloped limestone.
Snorkelling Piccaninnie Ponds
The crystal clear waters have been slowly filtering through the limestone and forming the Pond’s features over thousands of years. Snorkel across the top of The Chasm and peer down into the dark depths below or dive down into the large underwater cavern known as The Cathedral.
Located near Nelson, Victoria. Approximately 30km from Mount Gambier, South Australia.
For more info go to:
environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Limestone_Coast/piccaninnie-ponds-conservation-park
Piccaninnie Ponds, South Australia
The 862 hectare Piccaninnie Ponds Karst Wetlands are an outstanding example of globally rare fen and karst wetland types, and have a range of cultural and conservation values, which is why it has become the 65th site in Australia's Ramsar Estate.
2013
Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds.m4v
My wife Miranda and I travelled to Mount Gambier in October 2010, partly to show her the fresh water ponds but also to attend the annual Cave Divers Symposium.
Mount Gambier is situated in the far south east of South Australia, just a half hour's drive north of the rugged coastline at Port McDonnel where it is renowned for it's plentiful waters for professional cray fishing. The coastline extends to the popular fishing town of Robe, then on to Adelaide.
Mount Gambier is especially known for its fresh water sinkholes and it's said that rainwater which falls in the northern parts of the countryside then takes 500 years to filter thru the limestone deep down, and comes to the surface, filling the many underground caves and sinkholes.
South of 'the Mount' is Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds... these sites are popular scuba diving sites but you can also snorkel them too. The water stays at around 15 degrees celcius throughout the year. Ewens is 7-10 metres depth and has 2 narrow, shallow canals which join all 3 ponds... many snorkellors including myself have swum all the way from the third pond to the ocean, about 2-3 kms and an hours snorkel.
Piccs is a site which is much deeper and scuba divers have to be specialist certified to scuba dive it. You can snorkel here too but you need to pay for a 1 hour permit from the DSE office in Mount Gambier.
You wouldn't need more than an hour in either Pond... there's only so much fresh water you would want to look at, however my wife was spellbound by the clarity of water and abundance of life and she actually wanted to stay longer.
You'll need a 5mm wetsuit, one or two-piece but I reckon kids would survive in a thinner suit... little buggers don't feel the cold!
The water is drinkable... and millions of litres flow out to sea every day... so drink as much as you wish, it's free... by all means bottle it too if you want!
There are other sinkholes around 'The Mount'... all these other sites are not accessible by the general public... cave divers can have to pay to access them. Sites such as Pine Tank Cave, Kilsby's and more are deep, crystal clear caverns and many are also considered dangerous as they are Penetration cave systems whereby divers use a hand line to navigate their way in and out of the cave. The training is specialist, it is demanding but it's the only way you'll ever get the chance to dive these amazing dive sites.
Personally I'll stick to scuba diving in shallow waters like Ewens.
If you get the chance to see the Ponds, aim to snorkel both ponds... it's a wonderful experience, one you'll never forget...
Piccaninnie Ponds - Mt Gambier January 2020
About 32km out of Mt Gambier is the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park where you can dive and snorkel in the crystal clear, but very cold ponds. It is important to know that you now need a permit to enter the ponds which we obtained online.
Piccaninnie ponds snorkelling
Snorkelling in Piccanninie and Ewens Ponds, South Australia
Diving Ewens Ponds, Mt. Gambier
Ewens Ponds are a series of three limestone ponds in South Australia. Each bowl has a max depth of about 10m and are connected with short swims on the surface. At certain points of the day, the sunbeams strike through the gin-clear waters, creating a dreamlike playground for scuba divers.
Like this? More photos and videos here:
Visit Ewens Ponds! Here is the official website:
Diving Piccinini Ponds - Mount Gambier - South Australia by www.NetBookings.com.au
Pristine fresh water diving in Piccinini Ponds at Mount Gambier in South Australia has to be seen to be believed. With 50+ metres thosw who are accustomed to salt water will always remember this a the clearest water they ever dived in.
Diving Mount Gambier - Ewens Ponds Australia
Snorkeling Ewen Ponds, Mount Gambier, Australia. Amazingly clear water.
By Issy Standfield
TAGS - swimming, diving, free diving, snorkeling, mermaid, Ewen ponds, mount gambier, australia.
FREE DIVING EWEN'S PONDS
Music: Departure - Nero
Filmed: 17th June 2012
with Andrew Thompson, Cameron Say, Simon Newport, Levi Bateman, Kristie Say & Phoebe Bateman
At Ewen's Ponds, South Australia
Scuba Diving in Ewens Ponds
A journey through the stunning gin clear fresh water aquatic environment of Ewens Ponds and connecting channels in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
Ewens Ponds Dive 2011
Ewens Pond. Freshwater Diving Mount Gambier South Australia.
The Super Clear water of the three ponds makes diving special. With a shallow depth, long bottom times abound.
Freediving/snorkeling in the Piccaninnie Ponds sinkhole
Adam (grey suit) and I (camo suit) exploring Piccaninnie Ponds near Mt Gambier in South Australia. Stunning visibility, a highly recommended dive. Watch in 1080p for best results.
Snorkelling Ewens Ponds
Snorkelling Ewens Ponds, water-filled limestone sinkholes in South Australia.
TOP 20 MOUNT GAMBIER Attractions (Things to Do & See)
Best places to visit in Mount Gambier - South Australia. Mount Gambier is the 2nd most populous city in South Australia after Adelaide and located on the a volcano mount, Mount Gambier, about 450 km from Adelaide.
Things to do in Mount Gambier for each Mount Gambier's tourist attractions such as visiting beautiful places like The Blue Lake, Umpherston Sinkhole, Valley Lake and its Conservation Park, Centenary Tower, Mount Schank, Cave Gardens, Engelbrecht Cave, Echo Farm, Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, Lions Lookout, etc.
Others recommended places to visit in Mount Gambier is The Lady Nelson Visitor and Discovery Centre, Mount Gambier RSL War Museum, Main Corner Complex, The Railway Lands, Riddoch Art Gallery, Borderline Speedway, Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre, Adam Lindsay Gordon Monument, Anglican Church of Mount Gambier, etc.
Hope this video from Explore Australia will guide you to know where to go or what to do in Mount Gambier - South Australia.
Scuba Diving Ewens Ponds | Mt Gambier | Australia
Ewens Ponds - South Australia
Mt Gambier Easter 2017
Kilsby's Sinkhole, Piccaninnie Ponds, Ewens Ponds, Ewens to the Sea.
Ewens Ponds
AOS Dive trip to Ewens and Piccinini Ponds, Mt Gambia South Australia
Ewens Ponds Dive
One of the dives in the third pond at Ewen's Ponds.
Ewens Ponds Mt Gambier 2017
Ewens Ponds Mt Gambier 2017