EWENS PONDS
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| Type of dive: |
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Freshwater |
| Snorkelling: |
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Crystal clear ponds! |
| Scuba: |
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Open Water |
| Access: |
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Shore via a jetty (Permit required) |
| Depth: |
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Up to 10 metres (33’) |
| Visibility: |
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30+ metres (100+’) |
| Water temperature: |
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10 – 15°C (76-84°F) |
| Seasonal: |
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No, can visit anytime but it feels better in summer! |
Crystal clear freshwater lakes!
The Ewens Ponds Conservation Park consists of three freshwater ponds joined by narrow weed-covered channels and a channel flowing all the to the ocean, the Eight Mile Creek.
The ponds are located only 10 kilometres (6 mi) from Port MacDonnell near the town of Mount Gambier just inside the South Australian Victoria border.
The three ponds are fed by underground spring water thousands of years old and filtered by limestone. The spring water can be observed bubbling through the silty bottom in each pond.
The ponds range in depth from eight to ten metres (25-33’) and visibility is usually well in excess of 30 metres (100’).
The bottom of each pond is covered with fine silt and care must be taken not to stir it up.
The edges of the ponds and associated channels support a beautiful array of green aquatic plant life, some not found anywhere else in the world.
The freshwater fish life includes the rare and endangered golden pygmy perch, river blackfish, mullet, short-finned eels, common galaxias and pouched lampreys. A keen eye may also spot a spiny crayfish!
Access and egress to the ponds is quite easy using the jetties provided at the first and third ponds.
Please remember, the jetties are also provided to preserve the unique environment, so please use them!
After entering the water in the first pond, divers can visit each pond in order by drifting with the gentle current through the adjoining channels.
Keen divers can even drift all the way to the ocean from the third pond via Eight Mile Creek.
The ponds are closed from 1 September to 1 December annually, and when open, a permit and a one-hour time-slot booking is required from the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. Permits are issued to individuals on an annual or a single basis and fees apply.
Access to the ponds is limited to a maximum of six divers per group.
The water is quite cold, so an appropriate wetsuit is essential at all times.
Copyright © 2024 Steve Sinclair
FOOTNOTE: The ponds are currently closed to water-based activities due to very low water levels resulting in the connecting channels being too shallow to navigate without damaging the delicate aquatic vegetation and site natural values. The ponds will be reopened to usual permit activities once water levels recover. Published 6 June 2024.
Local dive services:
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MOUNT GAMBIER TECHNICAL DIVING |
Other services:
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Need somewhere to eat, drink or stay? |
Need help getting there?
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BLAST EXPERIENCES |
Water temperatures:
OTHER INFORMATION
LOCATION
State or Territory:
South Australia
Nearest City:
Adelaide
Nearest Regional City:
Mount Gambier
Nearest Town:
Not relevant
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Adelaide/Melbourne
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Mount Gambier
Road:
Adelaide to Mount Gambier:
Just over 4.5 hours (435 km/270 mi) via National Highway A8 and Riddoch Hwy/A66
Melbourne to Mount Gambier:
5 hours (430 km/265 mi) via Glenelg Highway/B160
Bus:
From Adelaide or Melbourne
Train:
From Adelaide or Melbourne
Ferry:
Not relevant
THINGS TO DO
Blue Lake
Centenary Tower
Tantanoona Caves Conservation Park
Umpherston Sinkhole
Mount Schank
Engelbrecht Cave
Coonawarra Winery
Glenelg river