The Waterhouse Club invites you to
“THE GIANT CUTTLEFISH MATING SPECTACLE”
(aka “Cuttlefish, Cats and Cacti”)
Pt Lowly, Whyalla, and Port Augusta, SA
Friday afternoon 16 June to Sunday afternoon 18 June 2017
WHAT IS OFFERED?
Your Club offers a diverse range of scientific topics to stimulate your interest, firstly giant cuttlefish, secondly, feral cats and thirdly, arid lands vegetation.
Giant Cuttlefish
One of the great scientific happenings in the natural world is giant cuttlefish mating in the shallow waters of northern Spencer Gulf. South Australian Museum scientists will interpret their behaviour for you. This. unique spectacle takes place in only a few metres of water just offshore over a reef. Snorkelling gives access to this amazing seductive scene, whilst scuba divers will have a more intimate view.In either case these passionate creatures will be oblivious of our presence.
Hundreds of thousands of the world’s largest cuttlefish congregate annually to mate and spawn. The site is a shore reef that provides the only suitable breeding ground in Spencer Gulf. These splendid creatures have only one opportunity to reproduce in their 12 to 18 month lives and so approach their rendezvous with gusto. There are more males than females so the competition is intense. Their ability to change colour is legendary and is used to signal sexual excitement, dismissal or come-hither; while for the uncompetitive smaller males cross-dressing may be the only viable strategy.
Feral Cats
Our second topic will be a solution to the destructive tide of feral cats across arid Australia - the ultimate cat-trap. Our Museum connections have enabledus access to Dr John Read, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWANR), responsible for conservation of a vast slab of arid Australia, including endangered creatures. Deeply concerned by the loss of small animals to feral cats, the night parrot currently being the centre of attention, John has been the lead developer of a most ingenious device, possibly the answer to this scourge. We are privileged that John will talk to us about this innovation and the broader work of recovery and species re-introduction.
The Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
You will find it difficult to choose from the menu of guided walks on offer. Do you want to find out about what plants you should plant in the driest state in the driest continent; how to feed yourself in the Outback; orlearn more about the birds of the region? These topics will all be options during a wonderful morning in this facility with backdrop views out to the Flinders Ranges.
We will have our farewell lunch at the Botanic Gardens restaurant, themed to our visit with some bush tucker food and further input from Peter Langdon, the local bird expert.
THE PEOPLE
Our Scientific Leader will be Professor Steve Donnellan, Chief Research Scientist at the South Australian Museum and Professor at Adelaide University. Steve’s knowledge is across the broad field of evolutionary biology and his scientific addresses are legendary for their wit and wisdom.
Dr John Read of DEWANR:Responsible for a vast range of arid lands with a focus on restoration of habitat and reintroduction of animals. John is a person of great determination who has thought long and hard to restore our vanishing wildlife.
Dive Master: Tony Bramley of the Whyalla Dive Shop.
Local Guides: Peter Langdon at the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, and Brian Barber at Mt Laura Homestead Museum.
Our Expedition Leaders are Club Members Dr Anne Sved Williams and Dr Tony Williams, both experienced divers.
WHAT HAPPENS
Our Accommodation
The Standpipe Golf Motor Inn will be our operations centre where the accommodation is spacious, modern and comfortable and the food has an excellent reputation as the best in the district. It is on the outskirts of Port Augusta townshipless than a four hour drive from Adelaide. Rooms have queen size beds or single beds, all with en-suite bathrooms and the usual tea-making facilities. You may choose to extend your stay at your expense.
The Dive Site is about one hour drive south from The Standpipe and we will swim off the shore just inside the bay from the Port Lowly Light House. Nearby are facilities for changing with provision for hot showers.
To enter the water
You will need to own or hire the necessary equipment, which you may choose to hire close to home for the attraction of certainty or hire it from the Whyalla Dive Shop where wet and dry suits, snorkelling and scuba gear will be available for hire at own cost (See hire rates and contact details attached to the Booking Form). It is cold in the water in June so make sure you get the thickest suit available. Tony Bramley who runs the Whyalla Dive Shop has been marvellously helpful and so hiring from him is a good option.
A dive master and an assistant will be at the viewing site to guide and provide assistance, however, some prior snorkelling experience would be good and divers will need to be previously trained and certified.
Two snorkel/dive opportunities are envisaged: Saturday morning and afternoon. A third dive on Sunday may be negotiated at your expense via your direct contact with Tony Bramley of Whyalla Dive Shop.
The weather is likely to be milder than Adelaide’s but a blustery change is always possible so be prepared for extremes; sun hat and screen is advisable, flies are unlikely.
THE ITINERARY
Friday 16 JuneFrom 2.00 pm
Check into The Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, which is situated on Daw Street, 1.5 kilometres from the Great Western Bridge (Telephone: 8642 4033). For those who arrive early, you may wish to drive to Whyalla to rent your gear to speed things up the next day. It will save you some time the next day as the Point Lowly turnoff is before you get into Whyalla.
5.30 pm – We gather for welcome drinks with pre-dinner appetisers and our Expedition Leaders will lay out the plan. Steve Donnellan will then tell us how to interpret the behaviour we will witness on the morrow and the broader issues of this aggregation which has been well studied by the Museum.
7.00 pm – Dinner in the award winning Standpipe restaurant – a la carte modern Australian cuisine menu, with an emphasis on fresh local produce. A healthy amount of wine will be served.
Saturday 17 June
After a full breakfast at our Inn, we will drive to Whyalla and the Point Lowly snorkelling/dive site. Those who have ordered aquatic equipment may choose to leave early to get fitted out. Once there,we will meet our dive master, who will brief us on conditions and safety procedures before entering the water.
Following the dive/snorkel, a gourmet picnic lunch will be prepared and served by Naomi Fulton, The Roaming Chef, around 1.00pm. Naomi starred in the very successful Burra/Moonta Expedition. Our lunch venue is likely to be Mount Laura Homestead Museum. Brian Barber, a local historian, will show us around after lunch.
During the afternoon you will be faced with a challenging choice – a second dive/snorkel or listening to Dr John Read talk about the development of his cat trap and the re-introduction of native animals to cat-free zones.
5.30 pm – Arrive back at The Standpipe where Steve Donnellan will expand on provocative aspects of scientific discovery.
7.00 pm – Dinner will be The Standpipe’s legendary banquet of sumptuous Indian tandoori cuisine, served with fine wine.
Sunday 18 June
After breakfast we check out of our accommodation and listen to Steve Donnellan’s third lecture which then gives us time to arrive comfortably for our next activity very close by.
10.30 am – Guided tour of the Arid Lands Botanic Garden with a choice of 3 topics - something for every passion:
- Bush foods and native plant propagation; or
- Plant Selection for water-wise gardens and plants; or
- Bird tour and talk with Peter Langdon.
12.30 pm - Farewell lunch in comfort at the conference room of the restaurant at the Arid Lands Botanic Garden, sampling some of the foods you may have seen on your tour of the gardens. Peter Langdon will share more of his knowledge of the Arid Lands and the creatures in it.
Around 2 pm our expedition ends and we will make our own way home or onto our next destination.
NEXT STEPS
The cost per member is $650.00 excluding transport, scuba/snorkelling/wetsuit gear hire and your personal expenses. A surcharge of 10% applies to non-members. A single supplement is available at a cost of $75.00 per night = $150.00.
Fill out the Booking Form attached including your non-refundable deposit of $300 per person to secure your place.
Those who expressed early interest will receive priority for four days from the date of distribution of the invitation, after which other bookings with non-refundable deposits will be accepted in order of date received.
A briefing note will be provided to you closer to the time including timing, maps, what to bring and a reading list.
If you have any queries or would like further information please do not hesitate to contact the Expedition Leaders on .H: 08 83645097 or M: 040780000 or 0419267488 but only after hours.
We look forward to your company and contribution.
Anne Sved Williams and Tony Williams
EXPEDITION LEADERS