Kilsby Sinkhole Mount Gambier Freediving Retreat

Freediving – Spearfishing – Meditation

Dive into Australia’s most iconic freediving site — the legendary Kilsby Sinkhole in Mount Gambier. With 60+ meters of crystal-clear depth and year-round visibility, it’s South Australia’s top freedive destination to learn, train, and experience world-class freediving conditions.

Mount Gambier Freediving
RETREATS

Mount Gambier, Kilsby Sinkhole

Mount Gambier, South Australia

5 Days

$999 (no accommodation) or $1190 (with accommodation)
To secure a spot a $500 non refundable deposit is required.

2025 | 5-9th of December

2026 | 6-10th of February

Kilsby Sinkhole: a preview of our upcoming retreat

Your Kilsby Sinkhole Freediving Experience

Searching for an unforgettable freediving adventure at one of the most unique underwater sites in Australia? Our Kilsby Sinkhole freediving retreat in Mount Gambier combines world-class coaching, pristine visibility, and the perfect natural environment to take your freediving to new depths.

Led by Adam Sellars, PADI Ambassadiver, PADI Instructor Training, and Australian Freediving team representative, along with resident spearfishing and freediving expert Eckart Benkinstein from Salt Sessions, this immersive Australian freedive retreat is designed for both beginner and advanced freedivers who want to explore the magic of Kilsby Sinkhole.

Kilsby Sinkhole is one of Australia’s most famous freedive sites — a deep, calm, crystal-clear freshwater limestone sinkhole with visibility that often exceeds 40 meters. With serious depths, it offers the ideal environment for freedive skill progression, breath-hold development, and deep water training in stable, predictable conditions.

Whether you’re learning the basics or chasing new personal bests, there’s no better place to freedive in South Australia.

During this freedive retreat, you’ll learn:

  • Freediving fundamentals & depth techniques
  • Breath-hold and relaxation methods
  • Equalisation training specific to deep sinkhole diving
  • Safety, buddying and deep-water protocols
  • Mindset, meditation and stress-management for everyday life

We also explore optional spearfishing in the open ocean (weather dependent), making this a well-rounded adventure both above and below the surface.

This is your chance to freedive Kilsby Sinkhole with expert guidance, small groups, incredible visibility, and a supportive crew that feels like family. An experience you’ll never forget!

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Package includes:

Accommodation

Night Dive in Sinkhole (extra $99)

Fees for two days of entry into the Kilsby Sink Hole

PADI E-Learning and materials

Pool entry for a confined water session

Introduction to spearfishing

Yoga

Meditation

Breathwork

FAQ
Itinerary
Contact Us
  • Kilsby Sinkhole Freediving Retreat in Mount Gambier with the Pressure Project

Why Freedive at Kilsby Sinkhole?

Kilsby Sinkhole isn't just another dive site — it's a globally recognised location for freedivers seeking pristine conditions and a safe, controlled environment. Here's why freedivers travel from across Australia (and beyond) to dive here:

Unmatched Visibility | Crystal-clear water makes Kilsby Sinkhole one of the clearest freedive sites in the country. Perfect for equalisation, depth training, and underwater photography.

Ideal Depth Profile | With vertical walls and 25+ meters of dive depth, it’s the perfect location for both beginners learning to freedive and advanced freedivers working on technique and depth.

Safe, Controlled Environment | No swell, currents, or ocean unpredictability — just calm, stable conditions ideal for skill development.

World-Class Freediving Conditions | Year0round temperatures and freshwater buoyancy create a unique and memorable freediving experience.

Itinerary

Day One
  • 12.50pm – Meet at the gate (Kilsby Sinkhole is: 525 Sisters road, Kongorong, South Australia 5291)
  • 1.00pm – Welcome and briefing
  • 1.30pm – Drive to Accommodation at Old Mount Gambier Goal (25 Margaret Street, Mount Gambier)
  • 2:30-5:30pm -Theory session for your relevant diver level
  • 6pm Catch and Cook (relaxed session in the kitchen where we cook up some seafood together that Eckart has collected for us)

Here’s a sample itinerary to give you an idea of what to expect. Conditions can change, and so can the plan — we adjust each day to create the most enjoyable experience for everyone.

DAY TWO
  • 9am – 12pm Pool Session
  • 1:15 – 3:15pm Depth group 1 at Kilsby Sinkhole
  • 4:15 – 6:15pm Depth group 2 at Kilsby Sinkhole
DAY THREE
  • 8am – 9am Meditation and Breathwork for Freediving
  • 10:15 – 12:15pm Depth group 3 at Kilsby Sinkhole
  • 1:15 – 3:15pm Depth group 1 at Kilsby Sinkhole
  • 4:15 – 6:15pm Depth group 2 at Kilsby Sinkhole
DAY FOUR
  • 8am – 9am Meditation and Breathwork for Freediving
  • 10:15 – 12:15pm Depth group 3 at Kilsby Sinkhole
  • 1:15 – 3:15pm Depth group 1 at Kilsby Sinkhole
  • 4:15 – 6:15pm Depth group 2 at Kilsby Sinkhole
DAY FIVE
  • 8.00 – 8:40am Meditation – Advanced visualisation for Freediving
  • 10:15 -12:15pm Depth group 3 at Kilsby Sinkhole
  • 1.00pm Depart for home

Frequently Asked Questions

The freedive retreat will start at 12:30pm. This time for the first time ever we are meeting at the Kilsby Sinkhole at 13h00 for our welcome and briefing before heading to the Old Mount Gambier Goal.

The address for the Kilsby Sinkhole is: 525 Sisters road, Kongorong, South Australia 5291. It is paramount that we meet outside the gate and will drive into the property in convoy at 12:50pm.

 

Please note: The itinerary may vary between retreats. We usually begin around lunchtime, but if you’d like a little extra time to settle in, you’re welcome to contact the accommodation at Kilsby Sinkhole to book an additional night before the retreat begins.

 

The address of the accommodation is The Old Mount Gambier Gaol, 25 Margaret Street, Mount Gambier.

The accommodation is dormitory style, and we have arranged for girls and guys to have separate dorms. All the bunk beds have bedding, however you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer. If you would like to have a private room or want to stay a night before or after please contact the accommodation direct on 08 8723 0032. (Additional nights at own expense).

There is a fully equipped kitchen for everyone to use, and there is a Woolworths and Coles in the town, so no need to bring your own food. We provide basic breakfast goodies. And dinner on the first night of Fresh seafood caught by our very own master Spearfisherman Eckart.

Medical – Yes, you will need to complete a medical form. Upon review, we may let you know you are required to also complete a valid 4005.1 AS Dive Medical prior to your course.

Equipment: At a minimum you will need a 5mm two piece wetsuit with an integrated hood as the water is around 14/15 degrees in the sinkhole. Please note that we will only be allowed to use water soluble lubricants to fit our wetsuits when diving the sinkhole. We will provide lubricants for everyone, however if you are allergic to any products then please bring your own water soluble lubricant. Let us know beforehand which product you’ll be using so we can confirm that it’s non-harmful to the sinkhole environment.

Hire gear is available at a cost of $129 for the retreat. If you need to hire gear, please email us with your height, weight and shoe size and I can reserve that gear for you. Payment can be made there.

Yoga designed for Freediving to aid flexibility that is accessible for all levels of yoga from beginner to advanced.

The Night Dive is a new delight that we have added as additional activity.

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