Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Great Australian Bight Marine Park comprises a network of protected marine reserves situated off the southern coast of South Australia, bordering the Great Australian Bight. This expansive marine protected area safeguards critical habitats, including towering limestone sea cliffs, submerged reefs, and deep oceanic waters that support diverse marine species. It is renowned for its role in conservation, particularly as a seasonal breeding ground for the Southern Right Whale, which attracts naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts from around the world. The park's marine ecosystems encompass kelp forests, seagrass beds, and important feeding zones for several species of sharks, seals, and dolphins. Visitors to the adjacent coastal areas can experience dramatic cliffs such as the Nullarbor’s Bunda Cliffs, which present breathtaking views over the Southern Ocean. Recreational activities primarily include wildlife watching, shore-based fishing in designated areas, snorkeling, and scenic coastal drives along the Eyre Highway. The Park is part of a multi-layered conservation effort, combining the Commonwealth Marine Reserve, state marine parks, and coastal parks to create one of the largest protected marine environments in Australia. Despite the remote location, organized tours and research trips offer access to learn about the fragile marine environment and the importance of its protection. The area’s historical context includes Indigenous cultural values tied to the sea, as well as milestones in marine science and conservation policy. Visitors are drawn by the opportunity to witness marine life in its relatively undisturbed natural setting and to experience sweeping ocean vistas rarely matched elsewhere in Australia.
