Australian sea lions: Where to see sea lions in Australia
Great places to see rare Australian sea lions in Western Australia include Breaksea Island near Albany and the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park near Perth. In South Australia, Australian sea lions can be seen on Kangaroo Island and off the Neptune Islands. It’s also possible to swim with the sea lions from Baird Bay on the Eyre Peninsula.
The Australia sea lion is one of the world’s rarest pinniped species. It is endemic only to Australia, and there are thought to be between 10,000 and 12,000 Australian sea lions living in the wild.
This is only a guesstimate, based on the numbers in known and accessible colonies. Part of the problem is finding the Australian sea lions – they live off some of the most remote parts of Australia.
Where do Australian sea lions live?
Australian sea lions have a range that spans from Kangaroo Island in South Australia to the Houtman-Abrolhos Islands off the coast of Geraldton in Western Australia. This range was once larger, but hunting for skin and oil in the 18th and 19th centuries had a devastating effect.
With the scientific name of neophoca cinerea, Australian sea lions have unusually long gestation periods – around 18 months. Mothers will usually return to their place of birth to give birth. Pups are born black, but develop a dark chocolate brown coat in later life.
Australian sea lions can swim at speeds of up to 40km/h, and communicate with barks, wails and clicks both on land and underwater. They can also lift their bodies off the ground with four flippers. Unlike true seals, Australian sea lions can walk and run on their flippers.
Because many of the Australian sea lion colonies are inaccessible, it is rare to see these gorgeous creatures in the wild. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though.
Where to see sea lions in Western Australia
From Albany on the south coast of Western Australia, whale-watching cruises will also head out to Breaksea Island. Here, at Seal Cove, Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals mix. It’s possible to watch the sea lions lumber down the rocks and slide into King George Sound. Albany Whale Tours runs the Breaksea Island trips.
The Shoalwater Islands Marine Park near Perth is also a haven for sea lions. You’ve got a very good chance of seeing them on the dolphin, penguin and sea lion cruise from Rockingham, run by Perth Wild Encounters.
Where to see Australian sea lions in South Australia
Perhaps the most memorable encounters with Australian sea lions, however, come in South Australia. Kangaroo Island off the Fleurieu Peninsula is home to one of the largest breeding colonies. The Kangaroo Island sea lions can be seen from the boardwalk at Seal Bay, while guided tours are also available.
You’ll also see Australian sea lions at the Neptune Islands, off the bottom of the Eyre Peninsula near Port Lincoln. No-one’s really driving from Adelaide to Port Lincoln to see the sea lions, though. This is the site of Australia’s only great white shark cage diving tours. The sharks are more interested in eating than conserving the sea lions…
The single greatest encounter with Australian sea lions, however, can be found at Baird Bay on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula. Here, Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience runs trips out to Jones Island, where it’s possible to swim with sea lions. The sea lions of the Jones Island colony are inquisitive and playful, and will mimic the movements of snorkellers in the water.
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