What are the best things to do in Mount Gambier, South Australia?

The best things to do in Mount Gambier include the Centenary Tour, walking around the Blue Lake and Aboriginal Dreamtime stories in the Cave Garden.

7 best things to do in Mount Gambier

The best things to do in Mount Gambier are:

Taking in the 360 degree views from the Centenary Tower.
Enjoying the gardens inside the Umpherston Sinkhole.
Marvelling at the Indigenous-themed sound and light show in the Cave Garden.
Take a tour of Engelbrecht Cave.
Head down below the surface in a glass lift at the strikingly blue Blue Lake.
Swim at Little Blue Lake.
Dive at the Kilsby Sinkhole or Hell’s Hole.

Where is Mount Gambier, South Australia?

Mount Gambier is the second largest city in South Australia after Adelaide. It’s just over the Victorian border on the Limestone Coast.

You’re likely to pass through on the South Australian leg of the coastal drive from Melbourne to Adelaide. There are, however, a few things to do in Mount Gambier that make it worth the visit.

First stop should be the Centenary Tower, which is on top of the hill that gives the town its name. The odd-looking tower dates back to 1904 and is 190 metres above sea level. That’s enough to give expansive views in all directions, though.

Things to do in Mount Gambier, South Australia: Umpherston Sinkhole and Cave Garden

Most of the best things to do in Mount Gambier are related to the cave-riddled Limestone Coast landscape, however. A classic example of this is the Umpherston Sinkhole, a cenote that has been turned into a remarkable garden. Here, the roof of the cave has collapsed, and you can now venture inside to admire the gardens planted in the gap.

The Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier, South Australia. Photo courtesy of Offroad Images.

There’s a similar story at the Cave Garden, where roses have been planted at the bottom. The best views are arguably from above, however – especially in wet weather, when there’s a waterfall effect. Every evening at the Cave Garden, there’s a sound and light show which tells Aboriginal Dreamtime stories about how the region was formed.

Things to do in Mount Gambier, South Australia: Engelbrecht Cave and Blue Lake

The Engelbrecht Cave is more of a standard cave, although it stretches below the city streets. It’s popular with cave-divers, but you can take a 40 minute tour of the rock formations without getting your toes wet.

The signature attraction in Mount Gambier, however, is the Blue Lake. Inside a volcanic vent, this lake goes a startling bright blue from early November to around February. Aquifer Tours offers tours inside the Blue Lake Pumping Station, which then take a glass-panelled lift down the former well shaft next to the lake. These Blue Lake tours cost $11. Otherwise, just take the 3.6km walk around the lake.

Mount Gambier sinkholes

To the south-west of Mount Gambier, there are a couple more sinkholes worth exploring. The Kilsby Sinkhole is used for training police divers, but you can do a snorkelling tour there. Little Blue Lake in Mount Schank, meanwhile is a sinkhole turned into a popular swimming hole. There are stairs and a floating pontoon, making a summer’s day dip both easy and pretty magical.

Permits, meanwhile, are required for diving at Hell’s Hole in Caveton. But you can take it in from the viewing platform.

Other Limestone Coast attractions include the Tantanoola Caves, Naracoorte Caves near Naracoorte, Mayura Station and Ewens Ponds.

Top Mount Gambier accommodation choices

The best places to stay in Mount Gambier are:

For something fun and unusual: Old Mount Gambier Gaol.
For 19^th century charm and grandeur: Colhurst House.
For a good quality motel with low prices: Blue Lake Motel.
For studio apartments with kitchenettes, washing machines & tumble dryers: Aloha Central Premium Studios.

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