Piccaninnie Ponds – The Chasm & Cathedral (DIVING CURRENTLY SUSPENDED)
Diving at Piccaninnie Ponds is currently suspended: the park's own alert says it is closed for immersive water activities until further notice and no permits are being issued. Normally it is one of South Australia's best-known freshwater dives, permit-only for CDAA-rated sinkhole divers, covering the First Pond (about 10 m), the Chasm (a sinkhole more than 100 m deep, dive limit 36.5 m) and the Cathedral (about 35 m). Water is extremely clear, visibility can exceed 40 m. The park is managed by the Department for Environment and Water (NPWS SA).
Facts
- Region: Australia – Mount Gambier Sinkholes & Caves
- Area: Lower South East sinkholes & caves
- Depth: 0–36 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: moderate
- Type: cave, freshwater, sinkhole
- Coordinates: -38.0508, 140.9364 (approximate)
- Highlights: The First Pond (~10 m, silt floor, weedy edge), The Chasm, a sinkhole over 100 m deep (dive limit 36.5 m), The Cathedral, enclosed limestone chamber (~35 m), visibility often over 40 m
- Permit: Closed to diving until further notice (park alert). Normally: DEW/NPWS SA dive permit per diver, booked online; CDAA membership (Basic Cave rating per CDAA), indemnity form, 2–3 divers per group (4 with a supervising instructor), max 36.5 m.
- Issuer / contact: National Parks and Wildlife Service SA – Mount Gambier office (DEW)
- Phone: +61 8 7424 5770
- Email: DEW.SEOnlineBookings@sa.gov.au
- Website: https://bookings.parks.sa.gov.au/dew-cave-diving-sites
- Tips: When open: current CDAA member rated at sinkhole category, individual permit and indemnity form booked online before arrival (CDAA membership number needed); groups of 2–4 divers, max depth 36.5 m; only the First Pond, Chasm and Cathedral may be dived. Check the NPWS Mount Gambier office before planning anything. The coordinate is the park position from Wikipedia, approximate.