South Australia · Attraction
Ewens Ponds Conservation Park
Three crystal ponds, one float
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Ewens Ponds is a chain of three interconnected freshwater spring ponds fed by the Gambier Limestone aquifer, sitting south of Mount Gambier near Port MacDonnell. The water is so clear, visibility can reach 40 metres, and the current so gentle that snorkellers are carried effortlessly from pond to pond past submerged aquatic gardens, small fish, and the occasional long-finned eel.
Each pond is roughly 10 metres deep and linked by short passages through the limestone substrate. The entire drift from the first to the third pond and back takes about one hour. Water temperatures hover between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius year-round, so a full-length wetsuit is mandatory and rental is available nearby.
The park is a working conservation area, and protective rules apply: no swimming, no weight belts for snorkellers, and a maximum of six people per session. Snorkelling is closed annually from 1 September to 30 November to allow aquatic vegetation to recover. Cave diving in the deeper connected passages requires appropriate certification.
Permits must be booked in advance through the Parks SA website, and groups must be between two and six people. The park itself is free to enter and has toilets and a changing shelter near the car park.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Ewens Ponds Conservation Park.
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