MOUNT GAMBIER
City of Craters, Lakes, Caves & Sinkholes

Welcome to Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier is a thriving city set in a unique and ancient landscape of volcanic craters, lakes, limestone and mysterious underground waterways.

Situated between Adelaide and Melbourne it makes the ideal stopover for those travelling to and from The Great Ocean Road or the Grampians and the perfect destination for the extended stay to enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of the surrounding region, the caves and sinkholes, coastline, rivers, lakes and wineries.

Proclaimed as a City on 9th December 1954, Mount Gambier is the regional cetnre of the Limestone Coast in the South East of South Australia and is one of the most progressive communities in the State.

A quality lifestyle is Mount Gambier's inheritance and continued vision. The City of Mount Gambier is entrusted with guiding the preservation and enhancement of the lifestyle of this rich and diverse City.

The Blue Lake, the source of water supply for the city and surrounds is just one of the lakes within the three craters of the extinct volcano.

Each year in November, it mysteriously starts its colour change to the unbelievable turquoise blue. From March each year it gradually makes the change back to its more sombre winter blue which is still a magnificent sight.

The crater lakes area offers many holiday and recreational experiences with its walking trails, picnic and BBQ facilities, Wildlife Park and Boardwalk, Adventure Playground,18 hole golf links and tours to the surface of the Blue Lake.

Today, historical sites remain to remind us of the significance of this area and its contribution to the development of the city.

Mount Gambier…" Heart of the limestone country"

Beneath the city lies a huge wedge of limestone extending 35 km to the south coast where it reaches depths of 300 metres. The wedge thins off well to the north of the city allowing rainfall to filter downwards into the limestone which acts like a huge sponge, holding the underground water system as it moves slowly southwards eventually making its way to the ocean.

Over a period of thousands of years numerous caves have formed in the limestone. Through continuous dissolution and weakening of the upper layers, sinkholes have been formed as the top of the cave falls inwards.
The beauty of the limestone, its underground water, caves and sinkholes can be enjoyed through various tours and self drive options.

Mount Gambier… "The best of the city in the heart of the country"

With its 20 Motels, 6 Hotels, 6 Caravan Parks and wide range of Bed and Breakfast accommodation and cottages, Mount Gambier is fully equipped to provide for the romantic getaway through to the family holiday or extended stay.

The city presents modern shopping facilities. Numerous pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants provide an array of fresh and local food and wine.

A feature of the city has always been its beautiful gardens. The galleries and museums provide an interesting mix of art, history and culture.

With its excellent conference, sporting and recreational facilities the city is fast becoming recognised as "The City for Events and Conferences".

Did you know that Blue Lake is the only lake in the world that changes from sombre grey to brilliant turquoise blue each summer?  

There are many theories as to why Blue Lake changes colour each year, but none yet proven.   The most common theory is that the top layers of the lake warm in summer, creating a chemical reaction with the cold bottom layers, turning the lake to its brilliant blue.   Blue Lake will be at its best when you come to Mount Gambier in March - truly a remarkable site to see.

For more information see Geology Section

Did you know that Mount Gambier is the largest Provincial City in South Australia outside of metropolitan Adelaide?  

Supporting a population of 30,000 people, Mount Gambier is the regional center of the Limestone Coast in the South East of South Australia and is the only town or city in Australia to have been won the National Tidy Towns Award twice.

For more information see Commerce & Industry Section

Did you know that Mount Gambier is one of the youngest volcanoes in Australia?  

Formed through volcanic activity that occurred during two different eruptive phases, the Mount Gambier Crater Lakes complex contains 3 craters and several blowholes. The network of roads, lookouts, walking and mountain bike trails provide easy access to view all of the attractions in this area.

For more information see Geology Section

Did you know that divers come from around Australia to dive beneath the streets of Mount Gambier in Engelbrecht Cave?  

Engelbrecht Cave is one of many caves beneath the streets of Mount Gambier, but is the only one that is accessible by divers.

Tours operate daily to take you down to see where the divers enter the water to explore the water filled caverns.   Watch a video on how divers safely explore this huge complex of caves.

For information see Geology Section

Did you know that the limestone that underlies Mount Gambier and surrounds is made up fish bones, fossils and shells and that it is 300 metres deep down near the coastal area of Port MacDonnell?  

Gambier Limestone as it is known, was formed 30 million years ago when the land was covered with a warm shallow ocean.   Today we can admire the beautiful heritage buildings constructed of limestone and dolomite which is still used for building today's modern buildings, for road making, agricultural fertiliser and for many other products.

For more information see Geology Section

Did you know that HMS Lady Nelson was commissioned to map and chart our coastline, and that on December 3 rd , 1800, the peaks of Mount Gambier and Mount Schank was the first Australian land sighted on that journey?  

The Mount Gambier Visitor Information Centre ("The Lady Nelson" Visitor & Discover Centre" has been built around a full scale replica of HMS Lady Nelson, and as part of the Discovery Centre Tour, you can venture down into the brig to hear Lt Grant tell his story of discovery

For more information see "The Lady Nelson" Visitor Centre

Did you know the ghost of Christina Smith comes to life at "The Lady Nelson" Visitor & Discovery Centre?  

Take a tour of the Discovery Centre and sit back and relax in the Spectravision Theatre to see Christina step from the photoand come to life, to tell the story of the Boandik people and early European settlement in Mount Gambier?

For more information see "The Lady Nelson" Discovery Centre Page

Did you know that the Cave Gardens was the original source of water supply for the early settlers?  

Its limestone cave directs storm water run-off from the nearby city streets before making its way as a waterfall down under the city where it eventually enters the Blue Lake.

For more information see Unique Attractions Page

Did you know that possums come out to feed in the floodlit gardens of Umpherstone Sinkhole?  

Visit the garden during the day to enjoy its beautiful terraced gardens and return at dusk to see the possums

For more information see Unique Attractions Page

Did you know that it takes 500 years for the underground water to move through the limestone from Blue Lake to the southern ocean?  

Holding the water like a huge sponge, the limestone filters the water as it moves slowly to the ocean, bubbling up in many places along the coastline, including Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds where divers have explored to depths of 85 metres.

For more information see Geology Page

Did you know that Mount Schank is also one of Australia’s youngest volcanoes?

  Situated mid-way between Mount Gambier and Port MacDonnell, a walking track to the summit which is 158 metres above sea level, provides spectacular views of the coast and surround district.

For more information see Geology Page

Did you know that the Princess Margaret Rose Cave has been formed by an ancient river flow?  

This beautiful cave with delicate formations through multiple chambers can be visited by road or by taking the Glenelg River Cruise which stops at the Princess Margaret Rose Cave landing.  

For more information see Geology Page

Did you know that Tantanoola Cave is the most highly decorated cave in Australia and one of few dolomite caves in Australia? 

Tantanoola is a single large dolomite cavern filled with a spectacular array of formations considered to be one of Australia’s most beautiful caves.  The dolomite cliff in which the cave has formed was created when a nearby volcano erupted thousand of years ago.

For more information see Geology Page