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A unique and exclusive experience in South Australia
Let us take you on an adventure to snorkel with the amazing giant cuttlefish! Just once per year these curious creatures migrate and congregate in their thousands for breeding. They are visually striking due to their ability to display arrays of luminescent patterns and colours, which you will see change before your eyes!
The Upper Spencer Gulf Marine Park in Whyalla is the only known place in the world where this mass congregation occurs, making it the perfect spot to engage in this incredible experience.
Swimming just metres from the shoreline you’ll witness an amazing natural wonder as the cuttlefish turn on their colourful tricks and antics. Indulge on this truly immersive experience packed with added benefits that include exclusive cuttlefish insights by our marine expert.Expert guides
- This small group tour is lead by an experienced, qualified and passionate PureSA guide.
Fully supported experience
- Quality wetsuits and snorkel gear are provided and the swim is preceded by a full safety briefing. Small group numbers mean more support and guidance throughout the snorkel experience.
- Enroute, we take the opportunity to experience other amazing South Australian attractions; Clare Valley, Alligator Gorge in the Mount Remarkable National Park and Lake Bumbunga Lochiel.
- Fresh local meals are included and will keep you fueled for your in water experiences! See specific itinerary for more details.
- Travel out of Adelaide and onto the picturesque region of the Southern Flinders Ranges before arriving in Whyalla. The return journey also allows for a photos opportunity at Lochiel – The famous pink lake.
- The tour is inclusive of all national park fees, licensing and donations that help the maintenance and conservation of these beautiful natural areas
Itinerary Day 1
Embark on a journey from Adelaide: Departing from Adelaide witness the change of scenery as you leave the city behind and travel through a landscape of fields and quaint country towns, setting the stage for a day filled with exploration and discovery.
Anlaby Station – A Heritage Gem: Our first stop is the iconic Anlaby Station, a pivotal piece of South Australia’s history. Home to the state’s oldest Merino stud, this heritage property dates back to 1860. Immerse yourself in the past as you tour the impeccably preserved homestead and stroll through the picturesque gardens. Indulge in a delightful morning tea, offering a taste of the elegance and heritage that defines Anlaby Station.
Journey Through Clare Valley – A Wine Wonderland: Continuing north, our route takes us to Clare Valley, a wine lover’s paradise with over 160 years of winemaking tradition. Renowned for its Riesling and other red varietals, Clare Valley boasts picturesque vineyards and cellar doors. As we traverse this exceptional wine region, take in the scenic beauty and learn about the artistry behind the wines produced in this historic locale. Amidst this scenic landscape, we’ll also pause for a leisurely lunch at one of the region’s esteemed winery restaurants.
Arrival in Melrose: In the late afternoon, we reach the charming town of Melrose, nestled in the Southern Flinders Ranges. Positioned at the base of Mount Remarkable, Melrose is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges. Check into your accommodation and unwind, surrounded by the serene ambiance of this historic town. Enjoy some free time before heading out to the local pub for a casual group dinner.
Itinerary Day 2
Explore the incredible Alligator Gorge: After a quick breakfast, we set off early to explore Alligator Gorge, home to one of the most popular and scenic walking trails in Mount Remarkable National Park. Marvel at the rugged cliffs, stunning natural landscapes, and picturesque trails. Enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch surrounded by the unique beauty of Alligator Gorge, immersing yourself in the serenity of this remarkable location.
Journey to Whyalla – Home of the Giant Cuttlefish: Following lunch, we board the bus and head to Whyalla, the home of the Giant Cuttlefish. Arriving at Stony Point, the best location to observe these fascinating creatures, you will be fitted out with wetsuits and snorkelling gear. Before entering the water with your snorkelling guides, receive a comprehensive experience and safety briefing.
Snorkelling Adventure with Giant Cuttlefish: Swimming just a few metres from shore, you’ll start to encounter these unique and wonderful creatures in their natural environment. Observe their graceful gliding among the rocks and sea plants as you witness their changing shapes and colours. Back on shore, you’ll change into warm clothes and enjoy a hot drink while reflecting on your amazing cuttlefish experience.
Relax
In Whyalla: Buzzing with excitement from your first cuttlefish experience we will hop back on the bus and head into Whyalla for a well deserved dinner and sleep. Making a quick stop at Point Lowly Lighthouse for a photo opportunity along the way before making our way to your accommodation for the night.
Itinerary Day 3
Morning Snorkelling Session: After a delicious dinner and a good night’s rest it’ll be back onto the bus for another round of snorkelling, because we believe once just is not enough. Back onto Stony Point dive site you will have the opportunity to once again swim with the cuttlefish during the morning.
Homeward Bound: Following the morning snorkel session, bid farewell to the Eyre Peninsula as we make our way back to Adelaide. Our journey includes a stop at the Wadlata Outback Centre, where you can take a walk through the Tunnel of Time, transporting you back in history to learn about the creation of the Flinders Ranges and the Outback.
Lunch at Stone Hut: Our next stop is Stone Hut, where we’ll pause at the Old Stone Hut Bakery for a delightful lunch. Take a moment to visit the aviary next to the bakery and greet the resident birds in this charming setting.
Final Stop at Lake Bumbunga – The Pink Lake: As we approach Adelaide, our final stop is at Lake Bumbunga, also known as the Pink Lake, in Lochiel. Capture the stunning hues of the pink lake, providing a picturesque end to our journey. Reflect on the memories made throughout this exploration of South Australia’s diverse landscapes before concluding our unforgettable tour.
Highlights
- Swim with the Giant Cuttlefish, twice!
- Visit to the Clare Valley, one of South Australia’s beautiful wine regions
- Tour the Historical Anlaby Station grounds
- Hike the popular trails of the picturesque Alligator Gorge in Mount Remarkable National Park
- Overnight stay in the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges – Melrose
- Visit historical Old Stone Hut Bakery
- View the famous pink lake at Lochiel
- Return transport from Adelaide
- Experienced tour driver
- Qualified snorkel guide
- Anlaby Station house and garden tour
- Wine tasting in Clare Valley
- Winery Lunch
- National Park Entry fees
- Fully guided cuttlefish snorkel
- Hire of wetsuit and snorkel gear
- Wadlata Tunnel of Time’ entry fee
- Overnight accommodation in Melrose
- Overnight accommodation in Whyalla
- Meals – 2 breakfast | 3 lunch | 2 Dinner
- Daily morning and/or afternoon tea
Important Notes
A few extra things that are good to know.
- Wetsuit and all snorkel gear for the cuttlefish activity are provided
- You will need to bring your own warm towel and dry clothes to change into after the cuttlefish swim (change rooms on site)
- We recommend you wear good quality footwear for the trails at Alligator Gorge
- This is a WINTER activity and it could be cold so warm clothes are highly recommended
- Also don’t forget your camera, sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses and rain coat
- This tour is NOT available for children under the age of 12 years
- All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a fare paying adult
- No snorkeling experience required; however participants must know how to swim
- A registration and risk release form must be filled out by each participant prior to the Giant Cuttlefish snorkel activity
- Itinerary is subject to change
- Please note: A strict luggage limit of 1 bag per person (up to 15 kilograms) applies
Accommodation Information:
When booking twin-share accommodation, please specify your preferred bedding configuration: either 1 double or 2 single beds. Solo travellers booking twin share must choose the 2 single beds option.
Prices
All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST. Prices are subject to change prior to making your booking. Rates are per person based on twin share accommodation. Solo travellers requesting single accommodation, or if a travelling companion cancels, are required to pay a single supplement.
Please find below information for your convenience:
- You will need to bring your own warm towel and dry clothes to change into after the cuttlefish swim
- We recommend you wear good quality walking shoes for the hiking trails at Alligator Gorge
- This is a winter activity and it could be cold so warm clothes are highly recommended
- Also, don’t forget your camera, sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses and raincoat
- In the interests of sustainability we encourage you to bring your own reusable water bottle
- A registration and risk release form must be filled out by each participant prior to the Giant Cuttlefish snorkel activity
- Please note: A strict luggage limit of 1 bag per person (up to 15kilograms) applies
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The cost of this trip with viator - ie the price we paid was £141.66. If we had gone on our own via Uber, 2 people with a return journey would have been £79.95. We could even have caught the local bus and it would have been even cheaper.
The ticket we received said English Guide. There was no guide. The"driver" did not speak to anyone, he picked us up (there were 6 of us in total) and he drove us to Cleland. He had the sat nav on all the way there and the radio on full volume. No interaction at all.
On arrival at Cleland he said he'd never been there before and he was taking the opportunity to do some photography. He walked far too quickly from the car park to the entrance; there were 2 elderly ladies on the trip who we had to wait for and look out for as he left them behind. On arrival at Cleland entrance he paid for the 6 of us to go in with his credit card and left us and said see you later. It was later as well as he was 30 minutes late picking us up. Despite having a minibus full of bottles of water he did not share these around. There was also no animal feed included in the trip despite many of the reviews on the website saying this was included. The "driver" did not know we were supposed to be going to Mt Lofty so had to do it at the end of the day by which time it was going too dark and cloudy to see anything. Again he swiftly left the bus and headed for the entrance and we had to wait for the ladies ourselves. There was no interaction with us again - didn't point out any places of interest or pass on any information etc. We were totally ripped off and conned!
My only suggestion would be for better signage at the meeting/starting point.
That was an incredible experience, I highly recommend anyone who hasn't been there before should go to check it out. The Gemtree winery is our last stop. Frankly speaking, I'm disappointed as Ken said their wine are very unique. However, I couldn't taste anything special and felt being treated unfairly. My friends had the same feelings too. Also, Ken mentioned we would provide a snack but we didn’t and the other people did. It's a shame that we couldn't have a happy closure because of this all in all it's still a very good activity.
A rainy and hail day to start but it did not dampen anyone's enjoyment.
While the additional stops, walks and site seeing added to the experience. We had a very easy going group for the 3 days - 2 nights.
The 2 tour leaders (Shannon and Shannon) were excellent and fun to be with. Very knowledgeable and happy to accommodate a few extra requests for things to see.
Kane was very friendly and a helpful guide. The morning tea at Glenelg was great - good coffee!
Bit of advice for everyone looking to hold a Koala, be sure to reserve your tickets for the Koala Hold experience at Cleland as far in advance as possible. This will sell out just like it did the day I visited the park. You can still do the Koala Closeup that comes with the tour but I wish I knew ahead of time to buy my reservation as early as possible. Next time.
Highly recommended and great value.
Unfortunately after reaching the peak in around an hour it was cloudy so I couldn’t see more than a few metres in front of me
The walk down is obviously much easier and I managed to catch some beautiful views of Adelaide
The waterfall at the bottom is also quite beautiful
Probably wouldn’t recommend this if you’re unfit or don’t have a few hours to spare
Very scenic ride
My husband and I regrettably spent far too short a time in Adelaide, however our cycling tour with Matt from Adelaide up to Glenelg was seriously great value, so much fun and so informative. In a short time, we felt that we had good appreciation of the city which guaranteed that we would be returning for a longer visit.
Absolutely don’t hesitate – just book and enjoy a AAA rated experience.













































