Join us each month as we showcase our amazing national parks with our Park of the Month program.
Park of the Month is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of our special natural places and to find new ways to enjoy them.
Each month there will be variety of events for everyone to enjoy, many of them are free. You can learn more about a park direct from the park ranger, have an adventure and explore a park in a different way with activities such as rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking, chill out in nature with yoga and forest bathing, hear about the cultural history and join in conservation efforts to protect and conserve national parks for future generations.
February – Encounter Marine Park and Granite Island Recreation Park
This month we’re celebrating Encounter Marine Park and Granite Island Recreation Park as our Park of the Month.
Encounter Marine Park stretches from the base of the Fleurieu Peninsula to the north-eastern coast of Kangaroo Island and the Coorong, with seals, leafy sea-dragons and a diversity of marine life among its many attractions. It’s just a short drive from Adelaide the region has spectacular snorkelling and diving locations, surf beaches, whale watching areas in winter and great fishing spots.
Granite Island Recreation Park is just a short stroll or horse tram ride over the wooden causeway that connects it to the mainland at Victor Harbor. The island is characterised by huge granite boulders tinged with orange lichen, and is home to a little penguin colony, the smallest penguin species in the world.
The warm summer weather is the perfect time to “dip your toes” these wonderful parks. Join us in celebrating these parks by coming along to one of our great events this month.
Events and activities
Snorkel Second Valley
Saturday 6 February
Join professional snorkel leaders and marine biologists from Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries for a guided snorkel in Encounter Marine Park at Second Valley Jetty. The jetty and seagrass beds are home to the blue devilfish, allusive leafy and weedy sea dragons and an amazing variety of other colourful fish and plant life.
Cost: This activity is available for a special Park of the Month - Adults $39 and $19 Students/Concession per person
For more information and to book, click here.
Granite Island ranger-guided walks
Saturday 13 & 20 February,
Join us for a ranger guided walk around the island and take in the spectacular views of Encounter Bay and the Bluff and if you're lucky you might even spot a dolphin and seals cruising the waters around the island.
Cost: This event is Free
Bookings available soon
For more information and to book, click here.
Port Noarlunga Reef – Glass-bottom kayak tour
Saturday 13 February
Join us for a truly unique perspective of the Port Noarlunga Reef. An experienced aquatics instructor from Easy Kayaks will accompany and lead you for a paddle along the Port Noarlunga Reef in a glass-bottom kayak. You’ll be stopping at key observation points for you to look at the underwater life and other points of interest along the length of the reef through the window on the kayak floor.
Cost: This event is Free
Bookings and further information available soon
For more information and to book, click here.
Learn to surf lesson
Sunday 14 February, (Moana Beach)
Sunday 21 February, (Middleton Beach)
There’s few better ways to connect with Encounter Marine Park than jumping into the water and learning to surf with South Australia's most award winning surf school – Surf and Sun.
Don’t miss out on your chance to learn from the professional surfing instructors who will teach you the basics of surfing through in a two-hour session at either Moana Beach or Middleton Beach. All of the instructors at Surf & Sun have great passion for surfing and ensure every student will have a fun experience and walk away loving the sport as well.
Cost: This event is as available for a special Park of the Month price of $19.00 per person.
To book for Sunday 14 February at Moana Beach, click here.
To book for Sunday 21 February at Middleton Beach, click here.
Aldinga Reef Ramble
Sunday 28 February
Join an experienced marine biologist from Reef Watch SA who will lead you on an exploration of the Aldinga Reef. This is a great way to learn about our fascinating and unique rock pool flora and fauna. Participants will have an opportunity to participate in finding and identifying marine life on the intertidal zone.
Cost: This event is Free
Bookings and further information available soon
For more information and to book, click here.
Special offers
Southern Ocean Adventure Cruise - The Big Duck Boat Tours
Cruise departs 11:00 am every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
This breathtaking 90-minute tour departs from the Granite Island Causeway & cruises between the mainland and the northern side of Granite Island, affording spectacular views of both the Victor Harbor shoreline and the islands. Many visitors to Victor Harbor never venture past Petrel Cove on the western side of The Bluff, but this is where passengers on The Big Duck are in for a real treat!
Colonies of fur-seals and sea-lions can be found basking on the rocks and swimming in the shallows, along with pods of Common & Bottlenose dolphins can often be spotted playing or/ feeding. The Big Duck heads past the huge spectacular cliffs of Kings Beach & Waitpinga before returning to Granite Island Causeway.
Receive 20% discount during February when you use the promo code PARKS-SA when booking online.
Seal Island Cruise - The Big Duck Boat Tours
Cruise departs 1:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
Departing from the Granite Island Causeway, a scenic cruise takes you along the northern side of Granite Island past the Horse Tram route and historic Screwpile Jetty and around the breakwater into the open ocean. At Seal Rock, Long Nosed Fur seals and Australian Sea Lions can be seen basking in the sun and often swim to the stationary boat to have a good look at the passengers!
Seabirds including petrels, shearwaters and cormorants can be seen and Common and Bottlenose dolphins are also often in the vicinity and sometimes race the boat. View wildlife and beautiful scenery at Seal Rock and around Wright Island, returning to the Granite Island Causeway landing.
Receive 20% discount during February when you use the promo code PARKS-SA when booking online.
Teach and learn resources
- Understanding more about marine parks in South Australian waters – Secondary School Teacher Resource (Years 7-10) **NEW**
Explore the connections that we have with the ocean and inspire your students to design a new ecotourism venture in your local marine park. This curriculum-linked, Secondary School resource is designed to support teachers in schools implement teaching and learning programs about marine parks in South Australian waters through Geography, Technologies, Science and Work Studies and integrating the Sustainability Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities - Be part of an invention convention about marine parks in South Australian waters - Primary School Teachers Resource (Years 5 & 6) **NEW**
Dive into marine science in your classroom and inspire your students to design a scientific technique to monitor or survey animals, plants and the environment in South Australia’s marine parks. This curriculum-linked, Primary School (Years 5 & 6) resource is designed to support teachers in schools implement teaching and learning programs about marine parks in South Australian waters through STEM and integrating the Sustainability Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities
Get inspired with our Insider Tips blog
What's coming up in 2021
Events and activities for each month are not released until close to the month, check back on the website or on the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia Facebook page to keep in the loop.
- March - Parks of the Mount Lofty Precinct
- April - Parks of the Fleurieu Peninsula
- May - Parks of the Murraylands
- June - Parks of the Southern Flinders Ranges
- July - Parks of the Northern Eyre Peninsula
- August - Parks of the Barossa Valley
- September - Parks of the Glenthorne Precinct
- October - Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and Ediacara Conservation Park
- November - Parks of the Limestone Coast
- December - Parks of Eastern Kangaroo Island
Host an event
We encourage community groups, schools, local business and tour operators to host engaging, fun and family-friendly events in parks as part of Park of the Month. Find out how you can host an event.
