Looking for something to do these school holidays? Why not visit the SA Whale Centre? π€·ββοΈπ€·π€·ββοΈ
With interactive and educational activities and information on the local marine life, thereβs something for everyoneπ¦
And why not also add a quick visit to our gift shop on your way out, which stocks some beautiful local and South Australia gifts and wares π
A fun time for the whole family before venturing out to explore Visit Victor Harbor π
Do you ever sit and stare at the ocean waiting to spot a glimpse of the marine world? Surely itβs not just us?
Our beautiful coastline is home to a thriving community of dolphins, with 120 known bottlenose dolphins and 50 known common dolphins calling this area home! π¬π
But that's not all β our local marine enthusiasts are dedicated to understanding and protecting these incredible creatures. Meet Kangaroo Island / Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch, a passionate team of citizen scientists who have just completed an impressive 150 surveys in our region, celebrated in July! ππΏ We love it when our friends from Dolphin Watch pop into the Victor Harbor Visitor Centre and SA Whale Centre to complete their surveys and data collection, following their expeditions out with the The Big Duck Boat Tours crew. Teamwork makes the dream work!
For the past 13 years, Dolphin Watch has been on a mission to research and collect valuable data on our local dolphin and marine life. Their efforts contribute significantly to policies, education, and the conservation of our precious marine ecosystems. ππ
A huge thank you to the Dolphin Watch team for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding our waters and the magnificent animals that call it home. Your hard work and dedication are truly making a difference! ππ
If you're in Victor Harbor, take a moment to appreciate the vibrant marine life and the incredible efforts of those working to protect it. Every visit to our waters helps support the ongoing conservation of this beautiful underwater world.
π Explore the South Australian Whale Centre! π
If you're planning a trip to Victor Harbor, the South Australian Whale Centre will allow you to explore life under the sea. Located in the Victor Harbor Visitor Centre, itβs a great place for the kids to explore and learn.
π Why visit the South Australian Whale Centre?
Educational exhibits: Interactive displays and fascinating exhibits fill the basement level of the centre. From digging for fossils to learning about the Sea Shepard, thereβs no knowing what you might learn.
Whale watching: Discover the best times and spots for whale watching in the region during whale season, which runs from June to September. With expert tips and local knowledge, you'll be well-prepared to witness these giant creatures in their natural habitat.
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Plan your visit
The South Australian Whale Centre is open every day 10am-4pm, except Christmas Day, so whether you're visiting during the whale migration season or just exploring Victor Harbor, it's always a good time to learn about local life under the sea.
ππ¨π¨π€π¬ π₯π’π€π π°π‘ππ₯π π¬πππ¬π¨π§ π‘ππ¬ ππ«π«π’π―ππ!
π Thank you to a lucky whale spotter who filmed this Humpback Whale breaching whilst on the Ferry to beautiful Kangaroo Island. What a sight!
Keep your eyes peeled for Humpbacks and Southern Right Whales, our two most commonly spotted whale species in South Australia.
π₯ Humpback Whale by Stuart Daddow
For those that didn't manage to see the whales at Christies Beach, here is some gorgeous footage supplied by Kitty Rose.
Enjoy! π³
Merry Christmas
The SA Whale Centre Staff and Volunteers would like to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas!
May you all spend today in good cheer with those you love.
Turtle Tag - You're It!
Some of our regular guests may be wondering what happend to our resident Eastern Long Neck Turtle during the Whale Centre renovations.
Soup has been with the SA Whale Centre for around 25 years, He is currently taking a well earnt vacation at a staff members home.
Here he is enjoying a life of luxury with live, wiggly mealworms, a tank with a view, and the company of fellow Eastern Long Neck Donatello.
Here you can see the 2 engaged in a thrilling game of turtle tag.
Echidna at the Bluff
This happy little Echidna has been making friends on the Bluff recently, after our last post community member Darren Loechel contacted us to let us know he saw this character trotting around Rosetta Head.
The whales may have moved on but wildlife abounds at one of our best whale watching locations. What wildlife encounters have you had around Victor Harbor? Let us know in the comments below.
Echinda at Rosetta Head - Paul O'Niel
This incredible wildlife encounter was sent to us by local photographer Paul O'Niel, who stumbled across this curious echidna while walking across the Bluff in Victor Harbor. We think its just gorgeous!
Did you know that Echidna spines are actually long, tough, hollow hair follicles?
Or that during mating season they form a line known as an βechidna trainβ, with a leading female, followed by up to ten males!
Echindas have 15cm tounges and no teeth. They use their tounges to quickly and efficiently gulp down ants, worms and insect larvae.
In fact, the echidnaβs scientific name, Tachyglossus actually means βfast tongueβ!
These usually shy creatures aren't as rare as you might think, but ca be incredibly tricky to find.
Today we have another feature Photographer to celebrate!
All of the images below have been submitted to us by Leighton Cassebohm, a talented local photographer who has a few entries in this years Royal Adelaide Show photography contests.
Many thanks for sharing these shots with us Leighton!
Here are some of our favourites βΊοΈ
Mysteri and Magic may have left Encounter Bay but we have fond memories of their time here.
Today we are celebrating a feature photographer Andrew Gould who has sent through a myriad of fabulous images this season. many thank Andrew!
Here are 10 of our favourites!
Let us know which is YOUR favourite in the comments below!
Whale watching this past week. ππ³
We just love the images that come through the Whale Centre at this time of year, todays star photographer @selina.guckenbiehl sent these fabulous images in during the past week. You can also check out her work as our new Facebook header image. π
This is our resident CC (Cow and Calf) pair, in our whale alerts and on our sighting log they are known as CC1 because they where the first cow and calf spotted in the area this season. We have since had 2 more CC pairs. CC2 sighted on the 16th of July, who unfortunatley only stayed with us for a short while before moving on and who can now be found residing and resting at Sleaford Bay and another who was first spotted yesterday morning, now known as CC3.
South Australian Whale Centre We provide local whale sighting information, education, and the museum experience.
