Seal Bay Conservation Park
Only 45 minutes from Kangaroo Island's main town Kingscote, Seal Bay Conservation Park is located on the south coast of Kangaroo Island.
The primary attraction of the park is the Australian Sea-lion Neophoca cinerea.
The park was proclaimed in 1972 under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 to help in the protection of the Australian Sea-lion and its natural habitat. Access to part of the park is prohibited to protect Australian Sea-lion breeding areas.
Today we provide guided tours along Seal Bay beach where visitors participating in a guided tour, can walk amongst the sea-lions while they rest after long fishing trips. A boardwalk also enables visitors to experience the Australian Sea-lion habitat.
Adjoining the park is an Aquatic Reserve managed by Primary Industries and Resources South Australia. This Aquatic Reserve combined with the park provides protection for the Australian Sea-lion and critical parts of both their marine and terrestrial habitats.
The western end of Bales Bay is included in the park and the eastern end forms part of Cape Gantheaume Wilderness Protection Area. Bales Beach is a stunning beach while Bales Bay Picnic Area has sheltered picnic facilities available.
Little Sahara is only 20 minutes from Seal Bay and features incredible inland sand dunes. Part of this geological monument is located within the reserve and forms some of the largest inland sand dune systems on Kangaroo Island.
Map
There's more than just Australian Sea-lions at Seal Bay - take your time to enjoy the facilities and wonderful experiences when you are there.
The Visitor Centre
Seal Bay's visitor centre is constructed in an environmentally friendly manner. Solar energy provides the electrical requirements of the site and fresh rain water is collected and used throughout. Organic cleaning materials are used to minimise any potential for pollution and the toilets use a dry composting system.
Enjoy browsing through the interpretive displays which include information on the history of sealing, life at sea, the evolution of seals, seal research, and marine pollution. The centre also has an extensive retail selection.
Just outside the visitor centre is a display of the lower jawbone of a juvenile Sperm Whale. Find out how it came to be on the island and some of the characteristics of this species.
Other facilities at the visitor centre include a shelter with a public phone booth, toilets and seats.
Guided Tours
Go on a guided tour with a DEH Interpretive Officer and experience the unique opportunity to observe the Australian Sea-lions while they are home resting up for their next fishing expedition. The tours are of 45 minutes duration and explain the biology, breeding characteristics and behaviour of the sea-lions.
Tour and Entry Times (300Kb PDF)
The Boardwalk
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The Boardwalk |
An easy stroll on the Don Dixon boardwalk, through the terrestrial habitat of the Australian Sea-lion, gives a great view over sea-lions resting and juveniles playing amongst the sand dunes and vegetation. At the end of the 800 metre boardwalk there is a large platform where it is possible to view the Australian Sea-lions resting on the beach and swimming in the water.
Occasionally, on a bright sunny day a Short-beaked Echidna may be seen foraging beside the boardwalk or a Heath Goanna sunning itself on the path or in the dunes. Tammar Wallabies come out to forage amongst the shrubs in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Many native birds enjoy feeding amongst the plants - look out for the numerous species of honeyeater such as the New Holland Honeyeater and try your luck at spotting the elusive Golden Whistler, Superb Fairy-wrens and occasionally the rare Southern Emu-wren.
Read the interpretive signs on Australian Sea-lions and native plants as you stroll along. Find out how the Humpback Whale skeleton came to its final resting place in the dunes below the boardwalk.
On the Boardwalk you can set your own pace, it is wheelchair friendly and a good alternative for those who are unable to walk on the soft, sandy beach or those who are on a tight schedule and arrive between guided tours.
The Lookout
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The Lookout
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Look out for the birds of prey who frequent the bay - the White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle and admire the superb control of the Nankeen (Australian) Kestrel as it hovers almost stationary over its unsuspecting prey.
Bales Bay
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Bales Bay |
Walk along this spectacular beach and enjoy the spectacular sight of the long, white, sandy beach spread out over a kilometre with not another person in sight. For the avid soul searcher, sit out on the dunes and look out at the thundering surf as it comes rolling in.
The picnic area has benches and tables and toilets.
Read the commemorative plaque about Alfred Bales, a wallaby trapper, who lived there from the early 1900s to 1924 in an old stone cottage which is now in ruins.
A look-out is situated on the rise behind the picnic area - from here there is an extensive view of the Cape Gantheaume Wilderness Protection Area and Bales Bay.
Little Sahara
Located off the South Coast Road, about 7 km west from the turn off to Seal Bay down a private unsigned road, is an ancient dune system. These towering sand dunes shift with the winds. Climb to the top of the ridge and look out over the expanse of dunes meeting the sea some 5 km away.
Contact
Seal Bay Conservation Park
C/o PO Box 39
Kingscote SA 5223
Australia
Phone: (61 8) 8559 4207
Fax: (61 8) 8559 4295
Email: Seal Bay
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