Wildlife & Nature
Sinkholes, springs & wetland birdlife
The best wildlife & nature in Limestone Coast
Crystalline freshwater springs, mirror-still sinkholes, ancient cave systems and internationally significant wetlands make the Limestone Coast a natural wonderland - and a haven for birds, bats and rare aquatic life.
The Limestone Coast sits on a vast bed of limestone, and water shapes nearly all of its natural wonders. Crystal-clear springs at Piccaninnie Ponds and Ewens Ponds draw snorkellers and cave divers from around the world, while the cobalt Blue Lake and the cascading ferns of Umpherston Sinkhole reveal the volcanic side of the region.
Wildlife thrives in the wetlands and parks. Bool Lagoon and the lakes around Naracoorte host tens of thousands of waterbirds, and the Naracoorte Caves preserve a World Heritage fossil record of Australia's vanished megafauna. Along the coast, Little Dip Conservation Park shelters kangaroos, emus and seabirds among its dunes and lakes.
Much of this nature is accessible on short, well-marked walks and boardwalks, making it ideal for families and casual visitors. Dawn and dusk are the best times for spotting wildlife, and the cooler months bring peak birdlife to the wetlands.
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51 places
Hells Hole
A deep, flooded sinkhole hidden in pine forest near Mount Gambier, a well-known cave diving site.
Kilsby Sinkhole
One of the world's premier freshwater dive sites, a crystal-clear limestone sinkhole on private farmland near Mount Gambier.
Lake Bonney SE
A vast freshwater lake near Millicent built for wind and water.
Lake George (Beachport)
$A large coastal lagoon beside Beachport, rich in birdlife and prized by local fishers.
Lake McIntyre
$A restored wetland reserve on the edge of Millicent, with easy boardwalks and abundant birdlife.
Little Blue Lake
FreeA sinkhole swimming hole
A deep, intensely blue water-filled sinkhole south of Mount Gambier, a popular spot for a bracing freshwater swim.
Little Dip Conservation Park
FreeWild dunes and freshwater lakes
A coastal wilderness of shifting sand dunes, surf beaches and freshwater lakes just south of Robe, laced with 4WD tracks and walking trails.
Little Dip Freshwater Lakes
$A string of colourful freshwater lakes hidden among the towering dunes of Little Dip, south of Robe.
Mount Muirhead Lookout
Big views from an old volcano's shoulder
A viewing platform on the Mount Burr Range near Millicent, looking across black-soil flats to Canunda's dunes, pine forests and lines of wind turbines.
Mount Schank
FreeA near-perfect volcanic cone
One of Australia's youngest volcanoes, a textbook scoria cone south of Mount Gambier with a steep walking trail to the crater rim.
Mount Scott Conservation Park
Stringybark country and rare malleefowl
A quiet inland park 22 km east of Kingston SE, where brown stringybark woodland shelters malleefowl, wallabies and nearly 150 recorded bird species.
Naracoorte Caves National Park
$$World Heritage fossil caves
South Australia's only World Heritage site, a network of fossil-rich limestone caves preserving 500,000 years of Australian megafauna.
Naracoorte Swimming Lake
A spring-fed swimming lake and reserve in Naracoorte, a long-loved free family spot in summer.
Nora Creina Bay
A horseshoe of white sand south of Robe
A near-circular bay of white sand and reef about 15 km south of Robe, backed by a tiny, tightly held settlement of beach shacks.
Padthaway Conservation Park
Tall gums on the edge of wine country
A remnant block of blue gum and stringybark woodland beside the Padthaway wine district, with a peaceful signature walk and abundant birdlife.
Penola Conservation Park
Remnant bushland and spring wildflowers on Penola's doorstep.
Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park
Snorkel a crystal chasm
A Ramsar-listed coastal wetland whose crystal-clear freshwater springs and the deep "Chasm" draw snorkellers and divers from around the world.
Pool of Siloam
FreeFloat in salt-rich water
A landlocked salt lake near Beachport, up to seven times saltier than the sea, where you float effortlessly on the surface.
Stick-Tomato Cave (Wet Cave)
Explore a cave at your own pace
Naracoorte's self-guided cave: two big chambers with automated lighting, tree ferns at the entrance and no tour timetable to keep.
Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park
$$A sparkling dolomite cave
A single, richly decorated show cave set in an ancient sea cliff near Millicent - and one of the few wheelchair-accessible caves in Australia.
The Drain (Robe)
$A locally loved surf and swimming break on Robe's rugged coast, framed by limestone reef.
The Granites
The only rocks on the Coorong beach
A cluster of smooth granite boulders rising from the surf about 20 km north of Kingston SE - the only rock outcrop in roughly 180 kilometres of Coorong beach.
Umpherston Sinkhole
FreeThe Sunken Garden
A collapsed limestone cave transformed into a terraced sunken garden of hydrangeas, ivy and hanging vines, floodlit at night when possums emerge.
Valley Lake
A crater lake in the Crater Lakes reserve with a wildlife park, boardwalks and easy walking beside the water.
Wildlife & Nature in Limestone Coast - frequently asked questions
What is the Limestone Coast known for when it comes to wildlife and nature?
The region sits on a vast bed of limestone, so water shapes nearly all of its natural wonders - crystal-clear freshwater springs, mirror-still sinkholes, ancient cave systems and internationally significant wetlands. Its headline attractions are the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves, the cobalt Blue Lake at Mount Gambier, and the spring-fed snorkelling sites at Piccaninnie Ponds and Ewens Ponds. It is also a haven for birds, bats and rare aquatic life found almost nowhere else.
Why does Mount Gambier's Blue Lake change colour, and when is the best time to see it?
Each November the Blue Lake shifts from a dull steel-grey to a vivid cobalt blue, gradually fading again from late February into March. The change is driven by warmer surface water in summer causing tiny calcium carbonate crystals to form, which scatter blue light. The best time to see it at its most intense is between November and March.
Do I need a permit or booking to snorkel at Piccaninnie Ponds or Ewens Ponds?
Yes - both spring-fed sites require a permit to enter the water, available on a single-visit or annual basis, and you should book your snorkel or dive session before arriving. Cave diving at Piccaninnie Ponds is more restricted and only open to current Cave Divers Association of Australia members rated for sinkhole diving. Water access can also be temporarily closed, so always check the official Parks SA website before you travel.
What can I see at Naracoorte Caves, and do I need to book a tour?
Naracoorte Caves is South Australia's only World Heritage-listed site, famous for fossil deposits spanning around 500,000 years, including megafauna such as the Diprotodon and marsupial lion, plus a breeding colony of the critically endangered southern bent-wing bat. Entry to the park is free but guided cave tours, such as Victoria Fossil Cave and the family-friendly Alexandra Cave, carry a fee. Tours can sell out, so booking online in advance is recommended.
Where is the best birdwatching on the Limestone Coast?
Bool Lagoon Game Reserve, near Naracoorte, is the standout - a Ramsar-listed wetland of international importance that hosts the largest ibis rookery in South Australia and is visited by up to 150 bird species, with boardwalks and bird hides for easy viewing. The best birding is generally during and after the winter-spring flooding, when the lagoon is full and birds are nesting. Coastal Canunda National Park is also good for spotting kangaroos, emus and seabirds.