Whether you want to watch the world go by in a cosmopolitan,
inner city café, walk along a secluded white beach, enjoy
some of the world's best wines or dive with Great White Sharks,
South Australia is the place to go.
Adelaide
The State's capital, Adelaide, is a sophisticated and
vibrant city of over one million people. When the early
colonists began building Adelaide they built with stone,
constructing a solid, dignified city that is civilised and
calm.
The solidity goes further than architecture, for Adelaide
was once regarded as a city of conservatism and was renowned
chiefly for its disproportionately large number of churches.
These days, the churches are outnumbered by pubs and nightclubs,
and there is no denying that the city has a superb setting
- the centre is surrounded by green parkland, and the metropolitan
area is bound by the hills of the Mt Lofty Ranges and the
waters of the Gulf St Vincent.
South Australia is world-famous for its wine and most
of the State's wine districts are within easy reach of Adelaide.
The Barossa Valley is probably the best known, but there
are also the fine Clare Valley, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale
districts.
Port Lincoln
Port Lincoln is located on the Spencer Gulf of South Australia,
which empties into the Southern Ocean, one of the world's
last true marine wildernesses. Some of the rarest and most
spectacular of the world's sea creatures such as the blue
whale, giant squid and Australian sea lion, live in those
waters. More importantly, it is the home of 'Carcharodon
Carcharias' the majestic and respected Great White Shark.
Port Lincoln is one of South Australia's earliest settlements
and at one stage was considered for the state capital. It
is located on Boston Harbour, a superb deep-water natural
harbour. Whaling and sealing was undertaken here last century.
Not far from Port Lincoln is a spectacular coastline called
Whalers Way. The coastline here is rugged and faces into
the Southern Ocean, where seals can be observed.
Port Lincoln is widely regarded as the tuna-fishing capital
of Australia and huge seal colonies are nearby. Another
claim to fame for Port Lincoln are Great White Sharks, the
real shark scenes for "Jaws" were shot near here. Once feared,
but now protected and revered for their primal beauty, the
Great Whites attract many visitors who dive with the magnificent
animals from the protection of a cage.
How To Get There
Port Lincoln is at the southernmost end of Eyre Peninsula,
662 km from Adelaide by road (there are 3 coach services
daily) or 250 km by air (There is one one-hour flight per
day between Adelaide and Port Lincoln).
Visitors can easily reach Kangaroo Island by sea or air.
A short 30 minute flight from Adelaide brings visitors to
Kingscote Airport on Kangaroo Island. The airport is located
13 kilometres from Kingscote. Transport is available, but
arrangements should be made at the time of booking.
Ferries operate from Cape Jervis on the mainland. Coach
connections are available between Adelaide and Cape Jervis.
Climate
Diving with Great White Sharks is usually confined from
April to September, when water temperatures are at their
coolest. Water temperature is usually a bit above 16°C
(60°F) during the operating season.
The warmest water temperature is from January to February
at 19-20°C (68°F). The temperature then gradually
drops down to 15-16°C (60°F) until August/September.
Sea Lions can be seen on Kangaroo Island usually during
March.
Diving
The scenic offshore islands off Port Lincoln are the breeding
grounds for 1,000's of New Zealand Fur Seals and the rare
Australian Sea lion, a natural feeding ground for the Great
White Shark. To see a Great White Shark in the wild is absolutely
grand and rare but to come face to face with one underwater
(from the protection of a cage) is one of the most exciting
experiences available to divers today! These trips have
been described as the ultimate adventure that Australia
has to offer.
Kangaroo Island is home to one of nature's beautiful small
creatures, namely the Leafy Sea dragon, regarded by many
as being rare and extremely difficult to find. It is also
home to some of the most prolific areas of soft coral, sponges
and gorgonians found in temperate waters.
Dive Operators
Book your hotels directly:
Adelaide
|
Kangaroo
Island
Independent
