Mount Gambier Favorites

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Favorite thing: Umpherston isn't really a cave - it's a mostly dry sink hole, in which a garden has been planted in the bottom, but it is a cavern and does have rock overhangs.

Fondest memory: Umpherston is always one of the places in Mt Gambier which gives me the fondest memories - at night it's for the possums, by turns shy, yet inquisitive, and some are downright bold and would climb up your leg if you don't give them something to eat fast enough.

And in daytime, I enjoy going there to admire the gardens, so pretty that it's no wonder couples often get married down there. Very picturesque for photos.

Favorite thing: Another example here of some attractive architecture featuring quoins, not too far from the fountain as it turns out.
This is the old town hall which has an art gallery in the downstairs area. I have to say that the exhibition on show while we were there was less than celubrious but, as with all galleries, it pays to check, you never now what you'll see.

Favorite thing: Interspersed between modern development, Mt. Gambier has some lovely heritage.

Fondest memory: The fountain intrigued me. Captain Robert Gardiner presented this art work to the people in 1884. What is just as significant is that he was the great grandfather of a person who become world famous as a ballet dancer and starred in movies, Sir Robert Helpmann.
The fountain is said to be the first large marble one contructed (in Melbourne) in the colonies.
Behind the park are two splendid hotels, one with the lovely wrought iron work and the other in neo-classical mode.

Favorite thing: These were a surprise, and a pleasant one at that. A sinkhole right in the middle of town. Site of the original water supply but the water from here actually ends up in the Blue Lake from where it is pumped today.
An imaginative project to landscape this limestone cave-in certainly gets my vote. The lovely floral display is also floodlit at night and from November to late January Christmas lights and a Nativity scene are a feature.
The only downer is that some reprobates who don't put their rubbish in bins seem to think it's a great place for disposal of same. Fortunately, filters have been set to strain such things before they get through to the Blue Lake.

Favorite thing: What is my favourite thing about Mt. Gambier? Well, it wasn't the Blue Lake! Now, before I went there I knew that November to March is the time to visit if you want blue, so it came as no surprise that, when I was there in October, it was only bluish.
What did come as a surprise was that there were four lakes, although one, the Leg of Mutton Lake, would barely fill your bath tub.

Fondest memory: What I would recommend you get excited about is Valley Lake, a body of water whose colour (brown) is nothing to get vibes about but, what it does have is access and a wonderful, user-friendly park and nature reserve.

Favorite thing: A first point of call for me would always be the Blue Lake.
It's so beautiful and I never tire looking at it, whatever the season, and whatever its current shade of blue.
There are walks you can take around its perimeter, far above the surface (since the lake itself is within a deep volcanic crater) and there is a caravan park just across the road.

Favorite thing: Another good view of the brick and stonework.

Favorite thing: Another view of the Art Gallery and its tower.