Our Hidden Marine Garden Revealed

Join us for an experimental nocturnal adventure to discover the night life just under the surface of the Port River.

Peter Hunt from the Malacological Society of South Australia will guide us on a journey to discover the hidden life of the river.

Armed with torches we will inspect the many wharf pylons and wooden planks that make up the inter-tidal surfaces that are homes to thousands of marine life forms. many of which become more active at night.

Needing to avoid the many threatening daytime predators such as seabirds, fish, marine mammals and humans, many extra species that are normally dormant and hidden by day may be found in the darkened waters of the river and gulfs..

Often in the holdfasts of plants or dug into softer sands/mud, the many hidden grazing snails become active safe under the cover of darkness and waiting to be discovered by your torch light. Along with many extended filtering species, barnacles, mussels and worms there is also a greater chance of spotting some of the lesser seen nocturnal predators such as spidercrabs, shrimps, sea-stars, urchins and possibly some of the larger bottom dwelling predatory snails too.

So charge up the batteries and rap up in warm clothes and join us for some fun and surprises.

Meet: at the Port Environment Centre at 8:30pm for a presentation from Peter, a warm cup of tea and to prepare for what we may see. Then we will head out onto the pontoons in the darkness of a new moon, at low tide, and light up the water to catch the activity below.

This is an outdoor event and weather dependent, we will postpone the event incase of inclement weather. Please wear weather appropriate clothing.

This event will involve walking by torch light on uneven surfaces and sitting on the floor. Please contact the Port Environment Centre if you have any mobility or access concerns or other event enquiries (0488 229 925 or email hello@portenvironmentcentre.org.au)

The Port Environment Centre is funded by Green Adelaide with additional support from the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and the Suzanne Elliott Charitable Trust.

Attendee information may be used for follow up evaluation, in order to assess the longer term impacts of our events. Follow up contact may be made (in the form of a survey) but participation in any evaluation is optional.

Marni ngadlu tampinthi ngadlu Kaurna yartanga inparrinthi
It is good that we all acknowledge we are living on Kaurna Country.