Image Credit: Brodie Dufek
These watery seaside treasure-troves are interesting places that offer kids and adults alike endless hours of fun discovering mini ecosystems and secret marine worlds at any time of year.
You can find all sorts in South Australia’s rock pools – small fish, jellyfish, crabs, sea anemones, sea stars (they aren’t actually a fish but an echinoderm), coral, shells, barnacles, seagrass, sea sponges and wrack, which is loose kelp or seagrass that washes up ashore.
Take photos, but don’t touch! It’s illegal to remove any animals or plants from foreshore and seashore rocky reefs in South Australia. We want our marine life to continue to live and thrive.
Kingston Park
Kingston Park is located about 17 kilometres south of Adelaide, near the seaside suburb of Brighton. Take a walk down on the beach to the south. You’ll find lots of large rocks, and in between them is a great place for kids to search for rock pools.
Hot tip: There is a beachfront park nearby with a picnic area, playground and bathroom, as well as a tennis court if you want to have a hit.
Moana Beach
Moana Beach is about a 45-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD. Kids can tiptoe through the rock pools at the northern end.
Hot tip: At this spot, you can even park your car on the beach.
Aldinga Reef
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Aldinga Reef Sanctuary Zone is also part of Encounter Marine Park. Take a wander through the Aldinga Reef rock pools at low tide. You might spot sea stars, crabs, urchins, different types of algae and sea grass pools.
Fun fact: Aldinga Reef is recognised as one of Australia’s best dive sites.
Second Valley
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Second Valley beach is a scenic one-and-a-half-hour drive from Adelaide’s CBD. It is one of SA’s smallest yet most significant beaches. Kids can spend hours exploring Second Valley’s mysterious rock pools.
Hot tip: Second Valley is ideal as a Kangaroo Island stopover as it’s only a 15-minute drive from the ferry at Cape Jervis, or 20 minutes from Deep Creek Conservation Park with its spectacular scenery and bushwalks.
Stokes Bay
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Stokes Bay is located on the North Coast of Kangaroo Island. The bay is a secluded beach protected from the pounding surf by a giant pool surrounded by rocks. Walk through the rocks to emerge on to a beautiful sandy beach with rock pools.
Smooth Pool
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Smooth Pool is south of Streaky Bay on the West Coast of Eyre Peninsula. This is a secluded location but has an enormous rock pool protected from the surf. It has a life of its own with numerous habitats and hidden rock outcrops.
Hot tip: This is also a great beginner’s snorkelling location.
Don’t forget to be sun-safe and wear soft-soled shoes to protect your feet and the animals living in the rock pools!
Shell Beach, Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula
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Shell Beach is a popular favourite for SA rockpool explorers! Find Shell Beach within Innes National Park, 30 minutes from Marion Bay. You will need to buy a national parks pass permit online before arriving, before you likely lose phone coverage. The Shell Beach rockpools have been described as “break-taking”, and also suitable for snorkelling and rock jumping.
Annie’s Nursery, Hillocks Drive Station, Yorke Peninsula
Annie’s Nursery is a rock pool recommended by All About Adventure. Located on the private property of Hillocks Drive Station, near Marion Bay, Annie’s Nursery is a stunning spot for your next adventure. It’s a 15-minute drive along 2WD suitable dirt tracks from the Hillocks front office and requires a small day entry fee.
Point Ellen, Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island
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The rockpool at Point Ellen, Vivonne Bay, is easy to find and a must-visit if you’re planning a trip to Kangaroo Island. The large rockpool has a soft, sandy bottom, making the water colour very clear and irresistible. Find the rockpool by driving past the Vivonne Bay jetty towards Point Ellen. If you park in the big car park then walk around 50 metres towards the point, you should be able to find it!
The Swimming Hole & Baleen Rock Pool, Whalers Way, Eyre Peninsula
Also recommended by All About Adventure, both the Swimming Hole & Baleen Rock Pool are stunning wilderness retreats located at Whalers Way, Port Lincoln. To gain access to the privately-owned Whalers Way, All About Adventure advised that you will need to pay $30 for a permit with a $10 key deposit at the Port Lincoln visitor centre.
The Swimming Hole is located near the gated entrance, while the Baleen rockpool is at the end of the property. Both are conveniently signposted. You will need to park at the gravel car park and walk down to these locations. All About Adventure recommends that explorers exercise extreme caution at Baleen rockpool, as it can be very dangerous when the swell comes up.
Greenly Beach Rock Pool, Eyre Peninsula
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If you travel down a 10km dirt road from Coulta, you will find yourself at the stunning Greenly Beach. There’s a free ocean-front camp nearby Greenly’s rock pool, which provides the perfect rest stop for families and large groups. The rock pool is home to hundreds of sea stars and ocean life, so it wouldn’t be hard to spend hours here relaxing. If you like hiking, Mt Greenly is also nearby for sunrise and sunset hikes, providing 360 degree views of the area.
Talia Caves Rock Pool, Eyre Peninsula
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20kms south of Venus Bay are the Talia caves. The caves, particularly the Woolshed Cave, come highly recommended, and feature some secret rock pools around the corner. To get to the rock pool, park at the Woolshed Cave carpark, walk down the stairs and instead turning left for the cave, turn right.
The uniquely shaped rockpools are very secluded and best experienced at low tide with small swells. You should find approximately eight rockpools around the area.
Lady Bay
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Located in Normanville, Lady Bay Beach is another gem on the Fleurieu Peninsula, nestled between Second Valley and Carrickalinga. Lady Bay has come recommended for families, with gorgeous white sand and lots of rockpools to explore.
Hot tip: Lady Bay is only a stone’s throw away from some of the best bakeries on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Carrackalinga
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Boasting some incredibly blue waters, the Carrickalinga rockpool is best experienced at low tide at the northern part of Carrickalinga Beach. You will be able to find a few small private coves and rocky areas you can jump off. There’s a path you can follow that can also take you to a small rock island, as pictured.
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