- Address: 1140 Seal Bay Rd, Kangaroo Island SA 5221, Australia
- Phone: +61 8 8553 4463
- Website: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sealbay/
- Area: 63.67 km²
- Opening date: January 10, 1967
- Working hours: 9.00 - 17.00
Reserve "Bay of Seals", located on the island of Kangaroo , is considered one of the most unique places on the Australian mainland. It is here that the last colony of sea lions inhabits the country.
Background History
The first European settlers exterminated the sea lions to replenish their provisions, and simply in the hunting ardor. Because of this, the animals were on the verge of total extinction. However, since 1967 their habitat on the island has been declared a state protected area. In 1994, a scientific and tourist center was built here, and in 1996 a new wooden path, 400 meters long, led to the observation deck.
How will you remember visiting the reserve?
If you came to the island on your own, you do not need a guide to visit the observation deck: you can go to it without special permission. However, if you want to visit the beach itself, where sea lions rest, and walk among them to get acquainted closer, you will need to enroll in a tour group, which is headed by the ranger. The duration of such a mini tour of the wild is 45 minutes, and the cost is 32 Australian dollars. During the walk it is necessary not to lag behind the group, because a traveler who has lost sight can easily knock down a male sea lion whose weight reaches hundreds of kilograms and more.
Also on the island boardwalk Boardwalk Self-guided Experience is built, a visit of which will cost you $ 15. With him you can go down from above to the beach, but the entrance to it is forbidden. You can shoot in the reserve, but only after obtaining a preliminary permission. Do not try to touch animals and do not frighten them with loud conversations and sounds.
A very interesting exhibit of the reserve is the skeleton of a giant whale ejected to the land decades ago. Do not be surprised if you accidentally see a kangaroo, quietly strolling among the sea lions: they coexist peacefully. Along the footpaths, wallabies, echidnae and opossums often dive, although these are mostly night animals. Some parts of the reserve are closed for visits, because there the sea lions multiply and take care of their offspring.
How to get there?
To get to "Bay of Seals" is best by car: the road from Kingscote takes only 45 minutes. Immediately after visiting the reserved area, you can go to the nearby Bay of Beylez Bay, where there are superbly equipped picnic areas with all the comforts of civilization.
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