Mount Gambier Things to Do

2 more images

Well what can be said about the Blue Lake that hasnt already been said?? Not much at all I am afraid. Everyone that has read the other tips on it know that it is the city's water supply and that it contains 36,000 MILLION litres of water and the average depth is 80 Metres. it is world famous for the changes of colour it goes through all year. There is a 3.6 km road that circumnavigates it and a walking trail just as long

You should definately pay a visit to the 'Lady Nelson Tourist Discovery Centre' It will give you a wealth of information about the region, some interactive displays, and helpful guides who will tell you where to go and what to do.The boat is a scale replica of the Lady Nelson which someone sailed to South Australia in!?

This is an interesting and informative tour about the Blue Lake. At the conclusion, an elevator will take you from the rim of the crater right down to the water's surface. This is the only way you can actually see the water from the water level - and it's just as blue down here as from far above at street level.

The Englebrecht cave right on the main Jubilee highway inside the Mt Gambier township is a nice cave to see (cave divers use the under water part of it) or you can also drive to Nelson (approx 20 minutes away) and see the really nice Princess Margaret Rose Caves (these are said to be the best in the region) Each cave is different and I found them all great.
The Tantanoola cave, another nice one, is also quite close to Mt Gambier.

The Umpherston Sinkhole is part of a public park alongside Jubilee Highway East. It was the dream of Umpherston, the original owner of the land to turn the sinkhole into a garden retreat for the enjoyment of all but he never lived to see it come to fruition. In honour of his vision, the sinkhole was taken over from the neighbouring timber mill and turned into the pleasant area that can be seen today.

I came here in the middle of the day but from dusk nocturnal Possums can be hand-fed.

4 more images

If you are a lover of Roses, which I am, then make sure you check out the lovely Rose gardens by the City Cave garden. The first Rose was planted here in 1909. I was here in May, and the Roses were in full flower and stunning, so many different varieties and colours to see.

3 more images

The sight of the Cave Gardens might come as a shock to you, as they are located right in the city centre.

This sinkhole was used by the original settlers for water. Water was raised from the hole in a bucket, and then was sold. Nothing like that happening today, as this sinkhole has been made into gardens. There is an easy sloping walkway to nearly the bottom of the cave and to the suspended viewing platforms. During winter, storm water run-off makes its way to the cave forming a spectacular waterfall, nothing was happening when I was there. The Cave is lit at night, and entry to these gardens IS FREE OF CHARGE. The Cave garden has been here since the 1800's.

THE CAVE GARDEN SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW runs nightly in the Cave Garden. The Aboriginal Dreaming of the Cave Garden is told here together with other Dreamtime stories.

FREE SHOW...8pm and 8.15pm nightly (9pm and 9.15pm during daylight savings)

3 more images

The Civic centre is a stunning newish building located next to the city cave gardens. The Sir Robert Helpmann theatre complex in the Civic centre, is where dance and local talent galas are often held. The centre also houses the library. Free use of Computers and free pushbike hire.
For details about what's on, visit the Civic Centre during business hours Monday to Friday,
[9 - 5.30pm]
What else I liked, was the fence between the cave gardens and civic centre. It was made out of steel and had many silhouettes showcasing the history of the city of Mt. Gambier.

1 more image

The Gardiner Fountain is quite an attractive fountain, that was presented by Captain Gardiner, the late grandfather of the late Sir Robert Helpmann, to the people of Mount Gambier in 1884.
The Fountain was constructed in Melbourne, and is claimed to be the first large marble fountain made in the colonies. The fountain is operated on special occasions and is illuminated at night.

A plaque marks the site of a time capsule commemorating the centenary of the City of Mount Gambier. The time capsule was officially sealed on Saturday March 6th 1976 by the Mayor, and will be opened in 2076.

4 more images

We found this a nice spot for a picnic, with a large children's playground and plenty of birds & swans around. Also next to the Parking area there's a wildlife park (free entry, the perimeter all fenced off) where an 'up close and personal' encounter was had with a Koala, just sitting in the sun on one of the railings overlooking the marshland on the shore of Valley Lake inside the park.

Take heed of the signs at one part of the shore of Valley Lake though.... the ground/sand really is like quicksand. My husband got a 1.5 metre long stick, and with no effort at all, was able to push it right into the ground until only 10 cms protruded out.