mt gambier tourist info

Mount Gambier

The cosmopolitan vibe of South Australia’s second-largest city is offset by a swathe of natural wonders, some of which you’ll find right in the heart of town.

Rich in volcanic history, this place is chock-full of geological treasures, from the mysterious sapphire waters of the Blue Lake/Warwar to the emerald underground gardens of Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul.

With some of the best parks, hikes, mountain biking trails and cultural attractions in the region, this is a city that punches well above its weight for adventure and arts lovers alike, and with some of the finest foodies in the region, you’ll never go hungry around here either.

The Blue Lake/Warwar.

The mysterious and very aptly named Blue Lake/Warwar is a genuine icon in every sense of the word, and no visit to ‘The Mount’ is complete without taking a little time to gaze into this cauldron of coolness.

From November to March, the steel greys of cooler months mysteriously transform to bright cobalt blues that are so vivid it’s had the science world talking for generations.

Nestled in one of three extinct volcanic craters, it’s a great spot to stretch your legs around the 3.6km road and walking track.

Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul.

Tucked conveniently in the heart of the city, the spectacular Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul has been dropping jaws for generations!

Formed by millions of years’ limestone corrosion, this masterpiece of Mother Nature is a perfect spot to hang out when the heat’s on, with cool green glades offering a sweet little sanctuary in summer.

Home to stunning hydrangea displays, you’ll find it’s also inhabited by some pretty lovable locals, with possums emerging daily at dusk.

Kilsby Sinkhole.

No doubt about it, Kilsby Sinkhole is like another universe... as sheep graze on the working sheep farm above, the underworld is as surreal as it is spectacular!

On a sunny day you’ll find phenomenal water clarity as stunning light pierces the abyss, pulling crowds for decades, with freedivers and scuba divers drawn by it's incredible water clarity.

The only site of its kind in Australia that welcomes snorkellers, freedivers and Open Water certified scuba divers under the supervision of qualified guides, this giant chasm descends 65 metres and is revered by those in the know.

These days, snorkellers can also enjoy the show from the surface (with a guide) - and if getting wet isn't your bag, the local Kilsby gin just might be... Aficionados will tell you it's as crisp and clear as the water down below!

Mount Schank .

As Mount Gambier's eldest sibling, Mount Schank stands sure and sturdy at 100 metres above sea level.

A rare South Australian example of volcanic activity in modern geological times, Mount Schank slightly outdates Mount Gambier, which is the most recent example in Australia.

A stroll along the 2km trail around the dormant crater's rim delivers incredible views of Mount Gambier and surrounds, with a series of limestone steps making this a moderate climb for all ages and abilities.

Little Blue Lake.

Plonked inconspicuously between two dormant volcanoes (Mount Schank and Mount Gambier) and just a stone’s throw from its bigger, bluer brother, the Little Blue Lake  is the perfect spot to chill on a hot summer’s day!

At about 40 metres wide, up to 47 metres deep and ringed by cliffs on all sides, the water here is green and clean, and after taking the stairs into this cool little cauldron, experienced swimmers can leap and laze from the floating pontoon below .

Engelbrecht Cave.

Engelbrecht Cave offers a fascinating glimpse into the subterranean world beneath streets of Mount Gambier, with guided tours between two stunning caverns lasting between 45 to 60 minutes.

Tours run on the hour, with times varying by season, with a handy on-site café on hand to rest your weary legs and refuel between attractions.

Home to a menagerie of farmyard favourites for the whole family to pat, feed and frolic with, Echo Farm is all about reconnecting with nature!

Whether you're strolling at your own pace or taking a guided tour, meeting the locals and unearthing a little history while you’re here is sure to tucker out your little ones and have them talking all the way home.

Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre.

An absolute must for art lovers, with an ever-changing calendar of local artists exhibiting alongside works of serious national importance in the Riddoch Art Gallery & Cultural Centre .

Here in the State’s foremost regional collection you’ll find over 1,500 items, from paintings and prints depicting the people and history of the Limestone Coast to a significant collection of Aboriginal and 20th Century Australian art.

Valley Lake/Ketla Malpi Conservation & Wildlife Park.

Drive down into the Valley Lake/Ketla Malpi area and enjoy the Conservation Park, with koalas and kangaroos.

Children will love the Adventure Playground.

Bring a picnic and discover Brownes Lake/Kroweratwari. This was the site of Mount Gambier's original botanic gardens and the area is picturesque all year round, but especially in Autumn.

You'll find covered shelters and 16 free gas barbecues within well-kept picnic areas. The expanse of grassed areas caters for many family activities & water sports on the lake. You can also give disc golf a go at the Crater Lakes Disc Golf Course.

The Conservation Park presents indigenous species of flora and fauna in an environment very similar to that which would have originally been found in the area.

The area is serviced by a network of walking tracks, all of which lead to lookouts, providing excellent viewing and photographic opportunities as well as the chance to enjoy the local flora and fauna.

Speak to a Mount Gambier Local .

We know visitors have the best time when they have all the information. Below is just a few frequently asked questions about time best spent in Mount Gambier, but if you still have a question left unanswered, then the team at Mount Gambier Visitor Centre would love to hear from you!

This is a public park, and it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year round, and is floodlit until 1am each night. Don’t forget you may see posssums at night! 

The clear water in the Blue Lake turns vibrant blue in summer. This is caused from the higher position of the sun in summer which means more light hits the surface of the lake. This increases the blue light that is scattered back out from the lake by small particles.

The Blue Lake starts to change colour from its winter grey to its vibrant cobalt blue in November and continues to brighten during summer.

Its colour is most vibrant during January and February. In March the lake begins to change back to its winter grey.

Unfortunately no, because it is Mount Gambier’s water supply.

Unfortunately no dogs are allowed in Umpherston Sinkhole, because native animals living inside the sinkhole.

You can travel 10 mins south of Mount Gambier or 15 minutes north of Port MacDonnell and swim in the fresh water of The Little Blue Lake.

You can go inside Centenary Tower when you see the flag flying upon the top of the tower. Otherwise you can take advantage of the spectacular 360 degree views without going inside the tower.

Right in the heart of Mount Gambier is the Crater Lakes, an area with numerous walks offering an array of views and experiences. Head to the Visit Mount Gambier website for more details. 

Mount Gambier is full of activities that will keep the kids entertained and parents occupied. With epic playgrounds that you can’t stay away from, animal encounters like no other, and plenty of places swim, ride, slide, and jump! Here are only a few of the family-friendly activites in Mount Gambier.

Check out the Visit Mount Gambier pet friendly accommodation listings. 

Mount Gambier Visitor Centre

Opening Times

Monday - Friday 9am-5pm Weekends & Public Holidays 10am-4pm

Create your Mount Gambier Bucket List

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A holiday favourite for locals and visitors, ‘Port Mac’ is surrounded by stunning coastal beauty and is home to Australia’s South largest lobster fishing fleet.

Sitting right the heart of the legendary Coonawarra wine region, Penola has some of the planet’s best food and wine on tap, as well as a liberal splash of history.

Millicent is the perfect spot to base yourself to explore our natural and historical attractions in and around the South of the Limestone Coast.

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TAKE a HIKE!

A love of the great outdoors is a common thread for residents, and they are spoilt for choice when it comes to recreational pursuits. A vast network of scenic walking and hiking trails has been established in a bid to entice people to get amongst this healthy, living landscape.

There is also a wide selection of well-maintained parks and playgrounds including the unique volcanic crater lakes precinct with its fabulous adventure playground, wildlifepark, picnic and boating facilities. Mount Gambier’s Rail Trail is a linear park breathing life into the city centre through improved physical and social engagement. Once an abandoned railway track, the 3.1-kilometre line has been repurposed into a simple shared path that serves as a popular commuter route. Free bike hire is also available from the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, Mount Gambier Visitor Centre, and Mount Gambier Library.

Trail Walks

4wd & camping, parks & playgrounds, choose your own adventure from an ever-growing network of walking trails and scenic drives..

The Mount Gambier area unique natural landscape of volcanic craters, sinkholes, caves and forests is waiting to be explored.

In the centre of Mount Gambier visitors can enjoy dedicated cross-country walking and mountain bike trails wind through the rugged terrain of Mount Gambier’s volcanic crater lakes precinct, showcasing the geological diversity of the region’s great outdoors, while sealed paths suitable for prams and wheelchairs follow the 3.6-kilometre Blue Lake/Warwar perimeter.

Hit the Trails

Walking trails, Mountain biking, cross country running, coastal walks – there is so much to do in the Mount Gambier are. The Blue Lake/Warwar, Valley Lake/Ketla Malpi, Leg of Mutton/Yatton Loo, State Heritage bollard trail, Great South West Walk, Wind farm drive and more!

The perfect 3-day Mount Gambier itinerary

Tahlia Pritchard

Travel Journalist

30 January 2024

As this action-packed three-day itinerary around Mount Gambier shows, there are unlimited experiences to be had in this one location.

Mount Gambier  is the sort of place where young adventurers, craggy outdoorsmen, family road trippers and intrepid explorers all have an equally great old time. Residents of the Mount Gambier region have the place wired, which is why our three-day itinerary allows visitors to experience the region as locals do.

Located almost smack-bang between Adelaide and Melbourne  on South Australia’s Limestone Coast , Mount Gambier has got it all: caves, volcanoes, lakes, ocean, wildlife, quirky accommodation , fantastic food and world-class wineries . We suggest you pick and choose and wander at your own pace.

Admire the seascape at Port MacDonnell. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

Kickstart your day exploring Mount Gambier’s famous Blue Lake, before submerging yourself in the crystal-clear waters of the Kilsby Sinkhole or Little Blue Lake. The Riddoch Arts Centre will appeal to all culture lovers, and shoppers will adore Charlicks Bazaar and all its hidden treasures. And don’t fret, we’ve got all your Mount Gambier cafe  and pub recommendations covered below.

Take a dip in Little Blue Lake (Image: Trent John Martin)

 7am: Brekkie at Bay Blue Espresso Bar

The Bay Blue Espresso Bar  is a specialty espresso bar located on the main drag to the Blue Lake. The Scandi-styled space is the perfect place to fuel up on coffee and a toastie dubbed ‘The Mostie’ stuffed with house-crumbed chicken, crispy bacon, tomato, cheese and lettuce.

Fuel up on coffee at Bay Blue Espresso Bar.

8.30am: Walk around the Blue Lake

Ask one of the friendly lycra-clad locals for the lowdown on the Blue Lake Circuit and they’ll tell you to start the 40-minute 3.6-kilometre hike at Pioneer Memorial, and to stop at Rotary Lookout. The wide crater lake turns a brilliant sapphire blue over the warmer months, resembling a precious gem set into the landscape.

Stroll around the sapphire-blue waters of Blue Lake. (Image: Jaxon Foale)

10am: Snorkel at The Kilsby Sinkhole

Continue your exploration of Mount Gambier’s natural attractions at Kilsby Sinkhole . Rated as one of the best sinkhole dive sites in the world, this spectacular hole in the ground welcomes free divers, snorkellers and scuba divers. The crystal-clear waters inspired the creation of Sinkhole Gin, which you can sample in situ, after deep-diving in the limestone-clad chamber.

Follow the light down the Kilsby Sinkhole. (Image: Adam Stern)

Noon: Explore The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre

Loved by arty locals, the architecturally inspired The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre includes a large collection of 20th-century Australian art. Don’t miss the daily screenings of Volcano, The story of Earth, Fire and Water , about how the elements helped shape the Kanawinka region. The art gallery’s shop is also worth a squiz.

Marvel at the art collections inside The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

1pm: Lunch at Presto Eatery

Taste some of the best ingredients the Mount Gambier region has to offer (from the likes of Robe Dairy Labneh; Rise of Robe Sourdough ; The Splendid Egg ) at Presto Eatery , housed in a refreshed heritage shopfront in the centre of the city. If you’re here for one of the cult favourites, you will be forced to choose between bacon benedict or avocado smash.

Get your brunch fix at Presto Eatery.

3pm: Drop into Mount Gambier Visitor Centre

One of the star attractions at the family-friendly Mount Gambier Visitor Centre  is the life-size replica of the 60-tonne sailing vessel, the Lady Nelson , which was commissioned in 1799 to sail along the coastline of South Australia . In addition to discovering the fate of the tall ship, visitors to the centre learn about local geology and Indigenous history.

4pm: Enjoy a shopping spree

Charlicks Bazaar on Margaret Street is a great place to forage for treasures. The antique store housed in a rustic shed sells everything old, new, and unusual: think vintage platters, ’70s lampshades, kitsch coffee pots and creepy ceramic clowns. On a weekender with the girls? Bounce between the boutiques along Commercial Street East.

Check out these Matryoshka wooden dolls at Charlicks Bazaar.

5pm: Check into Old Mount Gambier Gaol

It’s time to check in: go directly to the Gaol. Pass through the forbidding gates of the Old Mount Gambier Gaol and you will be relieved to find a friendly atmosphere at this former prison. If you don’t want to be confined to a double cell, posh it up at The Cottage where the prison warden once lived. And forget about eating prison slop; the former gaol has its own BBQ facilities and is a short walk from Commercial Street.

Enter the historic prison chamber at The Old Mount Gambier Gaol. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

6pm: Pub grub at Mount Gambier Hotel

Spot the giant G emblazoned on the side of Mount Gambier Hotel and then follow the lines of locals to the pub that has been a perennial favourite since it was established in 1862. With its warm wooden floors and off-white interiors, the revitalised pub (known as ‘the G’) is an excellent place to sequester yourself for a few hours. Order the wagyu beef schnitzel served with a baked spud and salad.

Choose from a wide variety of dishes at Mount Gambier Hotel.

8pm: View the light show at Cave Garden

The air is cooler near the Cave Garden , which is an altogether surreal place that is equally as striking as the Big and Little Blue Lakes, but with a tonal shift toward crayon green on the colour scale. At night, coloured lights make the eerily haunting cave formations shimmer and shift and the cave becomes a flowing narrative about the Indigenous Dreamtime.

View Cave Garden in a different light. (Image: Christy Radford)

Start the morning with an exercise endorphin boost, before indulging in Mount Gambier’s most famous cinnamon scrolls. Thrill-seekers will love donning a wetsuit to dive in Engelbrecht Cave, while those looking for more subdued activities can hike or bike along the Crater Lakes trail, or enjoy a hit of golf at Mount Gambier Golf Club.

6am: Walk along the Mount Gambier Rail Trail

Join locals jogging and cycling along the Mount Gambier Rail Trail  that runs like a parallelogram to the former railway line that slices through the centre of the City of Mount Gambier. Chug along the family-friendly 7.42-kilometre path to the nature play area, wetlands and picnic area.

8am: Roll into ScRoll Queen

After burning off a few calories along the Rail Trail, roll into ScRoll Queen  for a Tim Tam Scroll or cream-filled Lamington Scroll. Wash these sticky temptations down with a cup of coffee from Badenochs Deli next door. Those who prefer savoury will lean toward the BBQ salami scroll from ScRoll Queen or the bacon and egg roll from Badenochs.

Pop into ScRoll Queen if you’re obsessed with cinnamon rolls. (Image: Dylan McQueen)

10am: Follow the Sinkhole Trail

Whether you’re donning a wetsuit for a dive in Engelbrecht Cave, leaping in for a swim at the Little Blue Lake, or admiring nature’s vertical gardens clinging to the walls of Umpherston/Balumbul Sinkhole, the subterranean network of lava caves, array of sinkholes and lakes are a must-see in Mount Gambier. You can also personalise your own tour of these geological wonders .

Admire the lush foliage surrounding Umpherston Sinkhole. (Image: Offroad Images)

Noon: Lunch at Nalou Kitchen

Garlic prawns, pumpkin, BBQ chicken and bacon are among the creative pizza toppings at Nalou Kitchen. The lunch menu is also dominated by burgers, sangas and wraps. Our pick: the pork belly sandwich with baby spinach and sautéed red cabbage and onion. Check out the drool-worthy images on Instagram .

Grab a huge bite of Nalou Kitchen’s caramelised beef burger. (Image: Nalou Kitchen)

1pm: Bike around Crater Lakes Trail

Hike or bike through spectacular scenery along the rim of the high plateau that peers into the gaping mouths of craters that have been carved out in slow motion by the elements. Trace the curves of the crater in an anti-clockwise direction from Mark’s Lookout, Lions Lookout or Rotary Clubs Lookout along the Crater Lakes Trail . Note: the 4.2-kilometre track is not a defined path and includes steep inclines and stairs. It can take about 1.5 hours to complete.

Run, walk or bike around the Crater Lakes Trail. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

3pm: Fish at Port MacDonnell

One of the favourite local meditative pastimes in the Mount Gambier region is fishing at Port MacDonnell at the jetty, breakwater or boat ramp. Expect to haul in everything from King George whiting and squid to tommy ruff and silver trevally.

Young adventurers or intrepid explorers can also take a 4WD to Browns Beach, which is another hotspot for fishing right from the beach. Get the heads-up about where to cast a line from the plaid-clad lads at Spot On Fishing  in Mount Gambier.

Fish off the dramatic coastline of Port MacDonnell. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

6pm: Hit a round of twilight golf

Energetic types might just be able to squeeze in a cheeky round of nine holes before twilight at the Mount Gambier Golf Club or Blue Lakes Public Golf Links , where the only downside is that the scenic surrounds might put you off your putting. The golf courses around Mount Gambier take advantage of the undulating landscape and are challenging for both novices and practiced golfers.

8pm: Check into the Commodore on the Park

After checking into your executive spa suite at the Commodore on the Park , you can sashay down to the hotel restaurant that keeps its food miles to a minimum, sourcing most of its produce from the Limestone Coast and wines from the Coonawarra. Before retiring to your room, check out what’s on offer at the hotel’s whisky bar.

You’re in for a treat at Commodore on the Park. (Image: Louise Agnew)

Start your day right with a big breakfast feast at Metro Bakery, before really treating yourself with a cellar door crawl. The afternoon sun calls for a snorkel at the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, before unwinding and celebrating your Mount Gambier long weekend with cocktails at Macs Hotel.

8am: Brekkie at Metro Bakery and Cafe

A big day calls for a big breakfast and by big, we mean whopping. The Metro Big Breakfast comes with free-range eggs, bacon, beef sausages, baked lima beans, garlic buttered mushrooms, rosti and sourdough toast. Finish up with great coffee roasted by Melbourne’s Lygon St legend, Giancarlo Giusti at this sleek meeting place.

Treat yourself to a hearty brekky at Metro Bakery & Cafe.

9am: Go on a cellar door crawl

There are more than 40 cellar doors to choose from across the broader wine region of the Limestone Coast. Keep it simple and check off this convenient quadfecta: Noski Wines , Caroline Hills Winery , Haig Vineyard and the appointment-only Herbert Vineyard .

Try the signature wines at Herbert Vineyard.

Noon: Lunch at Foodie Bar

With an array of delicious options, Foodie Bar is one of Mount Gambier’s eating gems. While you can devour a burger, schnitty, or a sandwich, we’d recommend giving their Sri-Lankan style menu a try to really treat the tastebuds. Whether it’s the Sri Lankan hot butter cuttlefish or their signature kottu roti, the only hard part will be making a decision!

3pm: Snorkel at Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park

The locals in Mount Gambier are in tune with the moods of the city’s many sinkholes and lakes and often inaugurate a quick snorkel or swim into their weekend activities. Walk through the coastal wattle and beard heath to get to the Piccaninnie Ponds where you can dive down into the eerie 100m depths of The Chasm and enclosed Cathedral, which has a depth of 35 metres.

Swim to the depths of Piccaninnie Ponds. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

6pm: Barbecue dinner at the Valley Lakes

Pop into Five Star Seafood in Port MacDowell to pick up some seafood and a few beers and head to Valley Lakes , which has free gas barbecues and covered shelters. After an easy 1.6-kilometre pre-prandial amble around Leg of Mutton Lake, visit the picturesque conservation park, which features native flora and fauna, before finding a patch of grass for your picnic.

8pm: Cocktails at The Macs Hotel

The Macs Hotel , which was first licensed in 1864, is the place to go on a Sunday evening for happy chatter underscored by songs from the great Australian songbook. Expect a bit of Cold Chisel and some theatrical percussion from the cocktail shaker when you pull up at the bar and ask for something chilled. Stay overnight so you are right in position for posh pub grub and a cold pint for lunch the next day.

Swing by The Macs Hotel for classic pub drinks.

This article was written by Carla Grossetti with updates by Tahlia Pritchard

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15 Things to do in Mt Gambier

Mt Gambier usually isn’t on the top of people’s bucket lists, but it should be. This unique town of South Australia has so much to experience and admire. Filled with geological wonders, hidden caves, and pretty lakes, Mount Gambier is a worthwhile long weekend adventure. We asked regular visitor Tia Cole who lives in South Australia to share her favourite places to visit when she is at Mount Gambier.

Umpherston Sinkhole

Cave garden / thugi, centenary tower, valley lake, little blue lake, piccaninnie ponds & ewens ponds, mount schank, tantanoola caves, naracoorte caves, engelbrecht cave, cape northumberland – australia’s first lighthouse, port macdonnell – lobster capital of australia, lady nelson discovery centre, blue lake holiday park, aloha central premium studios, old mount gambier gaol – sleep in a cell.

This page may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy  for more information.

Must See Mount Gambier Attractions

Mount Gambier in South Australia’s limestone coast region is a 4 and a half hours road trip from Adelaide. Once you arrive you will find beautiful gardens, interesting volcanic craters and series of incredible cave systems.

Umpherston Sinkhole sits 20m deep and is a geological masterpiece draped in ivy and covered with exotic plants. You will not find a better place for a magical picnic than this whimsical garden floor.

The sinkhole, which is one of the wonders of South Australia is great for a road trip . It’s free to visit and open all year, with flood lights on until 1am.

If you are keen to see more sinkholes, the less well known Caroline sinkhole in the Penambol Conservation Park is less than 30 minutes’ drive from Mount Gambier and is home to a number of wombats!

Divers might also like to check out Engelbrecht Cave, a sinkhole cave, where qualified divers can explore the cave’s deepest reaches.

• Visit at night to say hello to the resident possums. Don’t come empty-handed though, the possums love to be fed treats.
• There are BBQ facilities in the surrounding the park
• There is wheelchair and pram access to the first viewing platform. The lower level is accessed via stairs.

Where : Jubilee Highway East, Mount Gambier When : 24 hrs

In the heart of Mount Gambier is another beautiful sinkhole, the Cave Garden / Thugi. Follow the path decorated with roses to the viewing platform where you can gaze down into the beauty of the chasm. If it has rained the day before, a small waterfall will become the star.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mount Gambier (@visitmountgambier)

The garden is on the main street, so plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.

Tips for visiting Mount Gambier’s Cave Garden

• Every night, once the sun sets, dreamtime stories of the Boandik people, the traditional custodians of the land, are told with the Cave Gardens Sound and Light show . It is free to watch and great family entertainment.

Where : 1 Bay Rd, Mount Gambier  When : 24 hours

This iconic tower is the most popular lookout in Mount Gambier because of the 360 spectacular views and the sights of the glistening crater lakes. Seated above Valley Lake, the Centenary Tower is illuminated at night, becoming a magical sight itself and can be seen from various points throughout Mount Gambier town.

If it doesn’t happen to be open on your visit, the view is still incredible from the bottom of the tower, especially at sunrise and sunset

• When the flag is raised, the tower is open (it is generally open in summer from 10am-3pm) along with a souvenir shop, snacks and ice-cream
• It is a short but steep walk to the tower, so be sure to wear comfortable footwear

Where : Elliott Dr, Mount Gambier When : 2pm-5pm Fridays, holiday periods see greater access

The beautiful Blue Lake Mount Gambier lays within one of three extinct volcanoes within the town and is one of the most popular attractions as it glistens a unique, vibrant blue during the summer months.

The theory behind the lake’s radiant colour is because of the large amount of white calcite crystals that form on the surface, which reflect bright blue wavelengths when the sun’s rays hit.

The best time to visit is during November-March on a sunny day, as this is when the water will be the most vibrant

Other than the viewing platforms along the circuit, there are multiple places to view the lake’s beauty: Including Centenary Tower, Blue Lake Lookout and the Hidden Underpass. This last one results in the most beautiful panoramic view and the safety rail is decorated with engraved locks as if it has become tradition when visited.

• Unfortunately, you can’t swim at the Blue Lake as it is the town’s water supply
• Surrounding the water is the 3.6km, dog friendly Blue Lake Circuit
• The walking trail is illuminated at night

Book a tour with Aquifer Tours where you will be taken down a glass lift to edge of the lake and learn the stories of local history, European settlement, folklore and aboriginal legend of Blue Lake

Where : John Watson Drive Mount Gambier, When : 24 hours

Valley Lake is the perfect place to spend with the family. It’s wide grassed areas are perfect for running around and a popular place for water sports. There are also picnic grounds with BBQ’s.

Less popular than the neighbouring Blue Lake it is a fantastic site for photographers with an incredible range of flora and fauna found here.

The crater lake sits within what was once Mount Gambier’s original botanic gardens and is extremely beautiful, especially during Autumn. Drive through the windy mountain roads to Potters Point Lookout for an almost aerial view of the lake.

Surrounding the water is a 1.5 hike and a conservation park, so keep a look out for the resident Koalas and Kangaroos. Valley Lake is considered to be a safer swimming spot than Little Blue Lake.

Tips : If you are travelling with kids they will enjoy the playground and cricket nets here

Where : Elliott Drive, Mount Gambier When : Daylight hours

Sitting within another inactive volcanic crater is the sparkling Little Blue Lake. Wander from the surrounding field down to the floating pontoon and swim in Little Blue Lake, only a 13 minute drive from ‘big brother’, Blue Lake.

During the warm weather, this is one of Mount Gambier’s major attractions to both locals and tourists.

• Although swimming is permitted here, it is not patrolled
• Divers who hold a Deep Cavern Grade Certification are welcome to cave dive here

Where : Mount Salt Rd, Mount Schank When : 24 hours

These natural wonders are known for their crystal clear, fresh water. You can look up at the clouds from 40m below, counting that the algae has not been too disturbed. Follow Glenelg River Road for 30 minutes until you hit the Piccaninnie Ponds Road turn off and be amazed at what you will find in the water.

Piccaninnie Ponds is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. Suitable for both novice or experienced cave divers. You will need to purchase a dicing permit from National Parks SA .

Tips: If you are into cave diving, you can discover the 90m deep underwater cavern, the Cathedral. The best time to dive is during the morning before the algae is disturbed by other swimmers, so if you book a diving tour, we recommend a morning session.

Where : Piccaninnie Ponds Rd, Wye  When : Daylight hours

Follow the path of limestone stairs from the car park to the top of this inactive volcano and hike the 1.5km Crater Rim Walk for an incredible 360 view of the scenery, both in and around the crater.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Visit Limestone Coast (@limestonecoast)

• The hike is rated moderate difficulty
• The trail down into the crater itself is not maintained, so proceed with caution

Where : 92 Mountain Path Road, Mount Schank When : Daylight hours

The secrets of what lay within the Tantanoola Caves can only be seen on one of its wheelchair accessible 30 minute guided tours.

The inside of the cave is forever changing with new peach, brown and orange toned stalagmites constantly growing. Book a tour to see its geological decorations and learn how the cave was discovered by a young boy.

Tips: Nearby is the Tantanoola Cave Conservation Park, which has a 500m walking loop which highlights the face of Up and Down Rock.

Where : Princes Highway, Tantanoola When : 10am-3pm – Tours run every 30 minutes

An hour’s drive from Mount Gambier is Naracoorte Caves. They are South Australia’s only World Heritage Site, with five caves open to explore on a guided or self-guided walk.

You can learn about the giant marsupials that once roamed the land before humans and see their fossils which are on display.

Tips: While the caves themselves are not wheelchair accessible, the Wonambi Fossil Centre and Bat Observation Centre are.

Children can play at the Fossil Hunters Nature Playground while you enjoy a coffee from Caves Café. Alternatively make use of the picnic grounds and barbeques.

Where : 89 Wonambi Road, Naracoorte When : 9am-5pm

Engelbrecht Cave is truly amazing, which is why they are one of the top attractions in the LimestoneCoast. The cave act like a labyrinth that tunnels underneath the heart of Mount Gambier. It is visually unique compared to others in South Australia.

On the cave tour, you will be introduced to one of the town’s oldest living creatures in the clear, underground lake from one of the underground cabins.

Fully certified cave divers and explore the caves sinkhole.

Tips : Tours are booked on arrival and times change seasonally. Check their Facebook page for details.

Where : 26 Chute St, Mount Gambier When : 9.30am-3pm every day in the school holidays (usually closed Wednesdays) Unfortunately, the caves are not wheelchair accessible.

Half an hour away from Mount Gambier is where you will experience the most spectacular sunrise or sunset on the coast at Cape Northumberland.

Walk along the rocky shore and find the natural geological formations that have been carved by the ocean, creating animal like rock figures, including Rhino Rock. Remains of South Australia’s first mainland lighthouse can be found 2 minutes away at the Cape Northumberland Heritage and Nature Park.

Tips: Come during dusk or dawn to spot some fairy penguins

Where : Cape Northumberland Rd, Port Macdonnell When : 24 hours

If you want to try lobster fishing, 5 minute drive from Cape Northumberland and just 28km from Mount Gambier is the Port Macdonnell, Australia’s Southern Rock Lobster Capital.

Pop into Periwinkles cafe for a bite to eat if you fancy a lobster lunch, they do a great grilled lobster

If you would like to learn about the town’s fascinating past drop in at the German Mine, Port MacDonnell & District Maritime Museum or the Dingley Dell & Dingley Dell Conservation Park which was the home of the famous poet Adam Lindsay Gordon.

Where : Port Macdonnell, South Australia When : 24 hours

For more information about Mount Gambier attractions and history, visit the Lady Nelson Discovery Centre.

It is also an attraction itself with an fossified skull of Simosthenurus occidental on display, a glass floor with illuminated fossil rocks beneath and an under-sea world with interactive displays and aquatic creatures.

Where :  35 Jubilee Hwy East, Mount Gambier  When : Weekdays 9am-5pm, Weekends 10am-4pm

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance to cover any cancellations or unexpected problems that may arise. We use and recommend Cover-More for all our travel. They also offer an Inbound plan for anyone visiting Australia from overseas.

Where to stay in Mount Gambier

Caravans parks and motels abound in Mount Gambier, which makes choosing one harder. Despite the number of properties, the good ones book out early in peak season.

The closest choice to Blue Lake this holiday park has a wide range of options, from lovely small but modern cottages to 3 bedroom bungalows. Excellent facilities for kids with a jumping pillow and games room. Check prices or availability of Blue Lake Holiday Park here .

This upmarket motel has large (45-65sqm) king and twin rooms with plenty of off-street parking.

Visit Mount Gambier’s old gaol or stay the night to experience some unique accommodation . From original cell rooms to staff quarters there is a variety of rooms to choose from.

Grab a map from reception and go for a self-guided tour and explore the cell blocks, discover the original wall murals and read the interactive signage. Guided tours are also available by appointment for a more detailed experience.

Where : 25 Margaret St, Mount Gambier. If you are travelling by public transport free transfers to the Goal are available

Planning to explore South Australia? Head over to our Facebook Group for Australian Travel Tips or to ask a question in our friendly community.

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Home » Travel Guides » Australia » 15 Best Things to Do in Mount Gambier (Australia)

15 Best Things to Do in Mount Gambier (Australia)

South Australia’s second most populous city is built right on top of a volcanic crater.

Breathtaking geomorphology is all part of the cityscape, at volcanic rims, crater lakes, cave systems and two sinkholes that were turned into gardens at the end of the 19th century.

In summer, people flock to Mount Gambier for a sight of the Blue Lake, which for a few weeks takes on a mesmerising cobalt blue.

Due to its natural prominence, in 1800 Mount Gambier was the first place in South Australia to be identified and named by Europeans, and there’s a 120-year-old tower at the volcano’s summit commemorating this moment.

1. Umpherston Sinkhole

In the 1880s the Mount Gambier resident James Umpherston (1812-1900), a member of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Adelaide, turned a sinkhole east of the town into an exquisite sunken garden.

This landform is a limestone solutional cave with a collapsed roof, leaving a deep depression in the landscape with high vertiginous walls.

There are platforms at the top where you can admire the garden’s kaleidoscopic colours and the vines hanging from the walls, before taking the stairs down to the sinkhole’s floor to peruse the hydrangeas, tree ferns and fountain.

A colony of possums makes its home in the sinkhole and comes out at night, when you can feed them healthy treats (no bread or junk food!).

2. Blue Lake

At the height of summer in December, the sweeping crater lake in the south of Mount Gambier suddenly turns from a greyish blue to a beguiling shade of cobalt blue.

This phenomenon is believed to be caused by a chemical reaction when the lake’s water rises to 20°C, and lasts for about three months before the Blue Lake returns to its more muted shade.

There’s a walking trail along the crater, depositing you at lookouts on the north and west sides where you can gaze awestruck at this unforgettable sight.

But if you want to get even closer, Aquifer Tours will take you in a lift down the lake’s old well shaft.

During this 45-minute experience your guide will tell you all about the lake’s place in Aboriginal culture and share entertaining anecdotes about its modern history.

3. Cave Garden

Once a source of water for early European settlers at Mount Gambier, this sinkhole in the heart of the city was landscaped and turned into a garden in the late-19th century.

The sinkhole is some 30 metres deep and its steep sides can be accessed via walkways and lookouts that overhang the chasm.

The garden is also treasured for its rose beds, and if you pay a visit after a rainy spell there’s an enchanting waterfall.

After sunset the excellent Evening Light Show recounts the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories relating to Mount Gambier and its volcanic landforms.

4. Engelbrecht Cave

There’s another opportunity to go below Mount Gambier’s surface at this limestone show cave just west of the CBD.

Engelbrecht Cave was discovered by Europeans in 1864, but for the next century would be used by its owners as a rubbish dump! The dry portion of the cave system is now a tourist attraction, illuminated and installed with stairways and viewing platforms.

You’ll descend with a tour guide who will tell you all about its formation and history.

Much of Engelbrecht Cave is flooded, making it a big draw for cave divers.

If you want to explore the submerged portions you’ll need a CDAA Cave grade for the eastern passage and a CDAA Advanced Cave grade for the western passage.

Free maps are provided by the Cave Divers Association.

5. Centenary Tower

Cresting the volcano, west of Mount Gambier’s two crater lakes stands the castle-like Centenary Tower.

This dolomite structure is an icon of the city’s skyline and stands 190 metres above sea level.

It was begun in 1900 on the centenary of Mount Gambier’s sighting by Lieutenant James Grant aboard the HMS Lady Nelson and received its first visitors in 1904. There’s nowhere better to survey Mount Gambier’s unique volcanic landscape, and there’s an orientation on the platform below, pointing out the various landmarks in the distance.

One way to get to Centenary Tower is via the Mountain Trail, which traces the rim above Valley Lake.

6. Valley Lake

The lake in the crater below Centenary Tower has the same volcanic origins as Blue Lake, but remains off the tourist trail.

Before you get to Centenary Tower there’s another great vantage point for the lake, Mount Gambier and the surrounding landscape at Potters Point Lookout.

Down on the western lakeshore is a wildlife park, with trails and a boardwalk where you may spot kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas and wombats.

And close by, next to the water, there’s a children’s playground, a barbecue area, shelters and sports facilities like cricket nets.

7. Mount Schank

Take the Riddoch Highway south of Mount Gambier and before long you’ll come to another dormant volcano dominating the otherwise flat landscape.

At 100 metres tall, Mount Schank has two overlapping craters to the north and south, measuring 300 metres and 200 metres in diameter.

The volcano is thought to have last erupted 5,000 years ago, and its prehistoric activity is woven into the local Aboriginal Dreamtime stories about the giant Craitbul (more later). You can park by the highway and follow the two-kilometre trail up to the rim to stare into the cider cone, mostly unaffected by erosion, and see Mount Gambier on the horizon to the north.

8. The Riddoch & Main Corner Complex

Overlooking the Cave Garden from the north is Mount Gambier’s Civic Centre, home to the Riddoch Art Gallery and the Main Corner, which has riveting interactive exhibits about the area’s volcanic geomorphology.

The complex merges the Romanesque Revival, dolomite-built Town Hall (1882), with new architecture completed in 2011. As for the Riddoch Art Gallery, this is South Australia’s oldest regional gallery, housing a permanent collection running to more than 2,000 works.

You can check out exhibitions drawn from this collection, as well as first-rate touring shows from major institutions like the Art Gallery of South Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.

9. Volcano – The Story of Earth, Fire and Water

For an eye-opening intro to the Kanawinka region’s Aboriginal origin story and tumultuous natural history there’s a regular big screen presentation at the Main Corner.

This starts with the Aboriginal Dreamtime stories of the volcanic landscape, centred on the giant Craitbul and his vast camp ovens.

Then you’ll learn about the eight colossal eruptions that formed Mount Gambier, and how the Kanawinka Region has been defined by volcanic activity.

You can catch this audiovisual experience at 13:00 and 15:00 on weekdays, and 11:00 and 13:00 on weekends.

10. Railway Lands

In 2015 the old industrial railway corridor for the closed Mount Gambier Station was turned into a dynamic and award-winning public space.

At Railway Lands you’ll find lawns, an amphitheatre, an expansive events plaza and a raised, nature-oriented play area, barbecues, a labyrinth, pond with creek and sheltered market platform.

This is a venue for an endless list of public events, from fitness classes to outdoor film screenings, concerts, markets and art installations.

Meanwhile 5.5 kilometres of the old line has been turned into a multiuse rail trail that passes through the old station.

11. Lady Nelson Visitor Centre

Naturally this complex to the east of the CBD is the best place to get hold of brochures and leaflets and chat with knowledgeable staff about accommodation, attractions, tours and events all over South Australia.

You can also buy locally made souvenirs, pick up a soft drink and make use of the public toilets.

But the Lady Nelson Visitor Centre is also an attraction in its own right.

For one thing there’s a full-size replica of HMS Lady Nelson, the survey vessel from which the dormant crater of Mount Gambier was first sighted by Europeans in 1800. Inside the centre the documentary, “Across the Green Triangle”, showcases the nature, history and development of Mount Gambier and its surroundings.

Also on display is the ossified skull of a simosthenurus, a distant ancestor of the kangaroo, from the Pleistocene.

Finally, there’s a glass floor suspended over an array of fossils, and a series of interactive displays dedicated to marine life off the South Australia coast.

12. Echo Farm

This attraction a few minutes out of town is a place to reconnect with agriculture on a self-guided tour.

All across Echo Farm there are historical exhibits from the 1890s to the 1950s, shining a light on the livelihoods of the past, and you can poke around the old farmhouse, which has been preserved as it was in the 1940s.

Kids will have a fine time meeting Echo Farm’s animals, among them donkeys, sheep, horses, goats, ducks, pigs, emus, geese, chickens and cats, many of which can be petted.

Light refreshments are sold on site, or you can bring your own food and drink for a peaceful picnic.

13. Vansittart Park

For a more sedate urban park in the centre of Mount Gambier there’s Vansittart Park on the west side of the CBD, dating back to the 1880s.

This green space surrounds an oval, home ground for North Gambier Football Club, which plays in the Western Border Football League.

Vansittart Park meanwhile is well-equipped and carefully tended, boasting walking and jogging tracks, a vibrant botanical garden, a fenced picnic area and a handsome rotunda from 1913. The children’s playground is also top-notch, offering a wide variety of equipment safely bedded with woodchips.

14. Mount Gambier Public Library

A word on this multimillion-dollar amenity on the southern margins of Cave Garden.

Not long after it opened in 2010 there were claims that Mount Gambier had the best small public library in the world.

More than a decade on it remains a benchmark for its bold, future-forward architecture and comprehensive services.

Travellers who need to keep in touch or are plotting their next move will be pleased with the computer access, free Wi-Fi and Bookmark Cafe.

But it’s the children’s section that really stands out, inspired by Mount Gambier’s caves, sinkholes and lakes, and integrating a play area.

15. Mount Gambier RSL War Museum

If you still have time to spare there’s a diverting museum at Mount Gambier RSL (Returned and Services League) Club building, around the corner from the Cave Garden.

In display cases mounted on the wall is a wide-ranging collection of military artefacts, including uniforms, flags, weapons, ammunition, documents, medals, gas masks, helmets and all sorts of other equipment.

These objects span every conflict that Australia has been involved in, from World War I to the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.

15 Best Things to Do in Mount Gambier (Australia):

• Umpherston Sinkhole
• Cave Garden
• Engelbrecht Cave
• Centenary Tower
• Valley Lake
• Mount Schank
• The Riddoch & Main Corner Complex
• Volcano - The Story of Earth, Fire and Water
• Railway Lands
• Lady Nelson Visitor Centre
• Vansittart Park
• Mount Gambier Public Library
• Mount Gambier RSL War Museum

THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Mount Gambier

Things to do in mount gambier, tours near mount gambier.

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Top attractions in mount gambier.

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What travellers are saying

Mount Gambier

• 1.3 By train
• 1.4 By plane
• 2 Get around
• 3.1 Limestone caves and sinkholes
• 9 Stay safe

Mount Gambier is the second largest city in South Australia with a population of 33,233 (2021), midway between Adelaide and Melbourne and 15 km west of the Victorian border.

Although it is the state's second largest city, Mount Gambier's population is only around 2.5 per cent that of the state's largest, Adelaide (which has a population of 1.3 million).

Visitors can get to Mount Gambier by car (450 km from Melbourne and Adelaide). Bus services run from both cities. These services terminate at the Lady Nelson Tourist Information Centre. The Lady Nelson is not a bus terminal, but it does have toilets, shelter and a temporary taxi rank (only when buses arrive).

From Adelaide, bus tickets for Adelaide can be purchased at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre (cash or cheque only). The bus service from Adelaide is run by Premier Stateliner. It can be just as easy to make a phone booking with Premier Stateliner. Thursdays and Fridays you can get from Adelaide to Mt Gambier at 8:15AM or 5:30PM. Sundays the bus leaves Adelaide at 2:45PM. Other days the service leaves at 8:15AM. The bus trip takes about six hours.

From Melbourne, the V-Line service runs Melbourne to Warrnambool on the train, then from Warrnambool to Mt Gambier as a coach service (it also goes via Portland). V-Line services from Mt Gambier are 'no reserve', you pay the driver on the day - bring exact change. V-Line services are generally not busy except during school holidays. They run once a day.

• You will need transportation to get around to see the sights outside of Mt Gambier. You can hire cars from the Mt Gambier airport.
• If you wish just to stay in town, you will not need a car. The motel strip on Commercial Street East is a 15-minute walk from the Town Centre. If you are just in Mt Gambier overnight for a party or a night out, it would pay to stay at one of the local pubs; you won't have to go very far to get back to your accommodation.
• Sights such as the Blue Lake can be driven or walked around.
• There are limited bus services around Mt Gambier. There are also two taxi companies, Blue Lake Taxis and Vears Taxis. Both are in the same price range. There is a taxi rank outside the Old Post Office/opposite the Cave Gardens on Bay Road and another outside the Lakes Village on Helen Street. Friday and Saturday nights it is reasonably easy to catch a taxi.
• -37.846 140.778 1 Blue Lake ( lookout on Bay Road (Riddoch Highway/B66) ). A lake in Australia's newest volcanic crater and is the main source of water for the city. During the year the color of the lake changes from an ocean grey to a bright iridescent blue. The Blue Lake is one of three crater lakes on the southern edge of the city: the others are Valley Lake and Leg of Mutton Lake. There are picnic grounds around Valley Lake and Leg of Mutton Lake and some easy climbing trails around this area. Boating and water-skiing activities occur on Valley Lake. ( updated Apr 2023 )
• Mt Schank -- is an extinct volcano located about 15 minutes' drive towards the sea from Mt Gambier. It is an easy climb and you can descend into the crater.

Limestone caves and sinkholes

The region around and including Mount Gambier is famous for its caves and sinkholes.

• -37.8389 140.8084 2 Umpherston Sinkhole , Jubilee Hwy E (Princes Hwy/A1) . This sinkhole is in the town itself and contains a pleasant garden that is well-maintained. You can also visit it in the evening to see the possums. ( updated Jun 2023 )
• Engelbrechts Cave is both a show cave and cave diving site - refer Diving in South Australia for more information re cave diving.
• Wineries : 50 km north of Mount Gambier is Penola and the Coonawarra wine region. This famous wine producing region is approximately 1 km wide and 17 km long. Wine sampling is free and the cellar door staff are always friendly, well informed and passionate about the wines.
• Oatmill Cinema is open from 10AM daily, depending on session times. Movies shown are on par with the times they are shown in the cities. Movie marathons are held Sunday nights on long weekends. Payment via EFTPOS is available. Like the city, Tuesdays are the cheap night.
• The Lady Nelson is the local tourist information centre and is full of useful information. You can find in on Jubilee Highway, just look for the giant boat. Also has a special tourist walk, but not really worth the money unless it is a rainy day and you want to entertain the kids.
• Bowling Alley is in the Odeon complex - look for the big bowling pin. Despite the fact that the Odeon looks pretty run down, the bowling alley is good fun and cheaper than city prices. Also has a collection of video games.
• Paintball Mount Gambier : 90 acres of natural bush. Games include: Hamburger Hill, Crossfire, Thugby, Double or Nothing, Corridors, Run the Gauntlet, The Hunt for Osama, Capture the Flag - and a lot more,.
• Mt Gambier's SEABL basketball team the Pioneers, Mount Gambier's only national sporting side, play at the Icehouse on Friday and Saturday nights (depending on the draw). Tickets are $12 for adults, concession and pensioners are $8 and children under 16 are free. The Icehouse is at the very end of Commercial Street West and seats over 1000 people.
• The annual Mt Gambier Show is held on the second last weekend of October. It is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but Thursday does not have rides and stalls open. Thursdays are free, as are Saturday nights, after the fireworks (about 9PM). The show is very popular with the locals and is larger than the usual country show.
• Live gigs are common Fridays and Saturdays, check the chalkboards outside the pubs for more details. Often these gigs are cover or tribute bands. Well known acts who play in Mt Gambier are advertised well in advance and will often play at Shadows or the Showground. Open mic nights are also held are different locations. Live gigs are held at the Old Gaol frequently.
• The Sir Robert Helpmann is the theatre complex in Mt Gambier. Dance and local talent galas are often held here, live bands are not unless they are targeted to the older generation. The Sir Robert Helpmann is located in the Civic Centre, which also houses the library. For details about what's on, visit the Civic Centre during business hours Monday to Friday.
• Commercial Street is the shopping street of Mount Gambier. Despite the smaller size of the city, this street is quite long. It takes about 15-20 min to walk from one end to the other. Stores on this street change often and most are not open on Sundays. Thurdsay is late night shopping and most stores are usually trading until 9PM.
• Centro shopping center hosts about 40 stores including a supermarket, K-Mart, the Reject Shop and EB Games. The centro shopping centre has a large food court there is plenty of variety in the food for sale. Centro shopping center is open Sundays after 11AM.
• Variety stores There are numerous variety stores in Mt Gambier. Go-Lo and Ned's located on Commercial street West, Cheap As Chips on Helen street, the Reject Shop can be found in the Lakes Village. A large Target can also be found on Sturt street (entrances from Compton street and Ferrers street).
• Markets Saturday is the Rotary Market on Julibee Highway East next to Harvey Normans (it is part of the former Fletcher Jones site). The Blue Lake Market is held Sundays on Commercial street West opposite Vansitart Park. Both markets have stalls selling local fresh produce, bric-a-brac, craft goods and plants.
• Clothes shops in Mt Gambier are quite abundant. Flesh Fence on Commercial street East is reasonably priced. Rockmans can be found on the main street. Centro has Jay Jays, Jeans West, Supre and Miller's. The Spot is the local surf store on Commercial Street West. There are also several sports stores, notably Sportspower which is the largest and Sportscene which has lots of variety.
• Petrol stations can be found at several locations on Commercial street. The Mobil on Commercial Street East and the Caltex on Commercial Street West are nicknamed "the 24 hour" for obvious reasons. If you venture out to Port Macdonnell it is advisable that you fill up before you head off, there is no large petrol station there, and the one which is there is open only during business hours.

Restaurants in Mount Gambier are reasonably cheap when compared to city prices.

• Belgornio's An authentic Italian restaurant with woodfired pizzas. In the Oatmill Complex. It gets very busy on Saturday nights, but well worth the wait.
• South Eastern The first pub on Commercial St East. Has a beer garden and a drive thru bottle shop. You can hire the undercover beer garden for free if you purchase a certain amount of food to share.
• Golden Chopsticks Chinese restaurant with good service.
• Spud Train A train shaped vending van which serves baked potatoes. Spudway is a bus selling spuds just like the previous company and can be found just a little bit down the road. Spudway has by far the better food.Look for the waving oversized potato/man on the weekends.
• McDonald's , KFC and Hungry Jacks are all on Penola road between Commercial Street and Jubilee Highway and are in walking distance of each other. Subway is on Commercial St East and in the Lakes Village. Red Rooster is on Jubilee Highway East. McDonald's is the only 24-hour restaurant in town.
• Domino's Pizza is in the Woolworths Petrol Station, opposite the Federal Hotel. Pinky's Pizza can be found on Commercial street East. Pizza Haven is on Commercial Street West and has the best take away pizza. They also have a drive thru.
• For late night snacks, the Cave Garden Deli is open late on Saturday nights. It is next to the Cave Gardens sinkhole in town. They also sell Domino's pizza (but be warned, it's a bit chewy at 4AM). The 24 Hour Mobil on Commercial street East/Crouch street does Boss Dogs and besides McDonald's are probably the only source of food in the wee hours.
• Shadows Entertainment Complex Mt Gambier's longest lasting night club. Considered to be a 'dive' by the locals, but has cheap drinks, a reasonable size dance floor and top 40+ 1990s-2000s hits. Entry is free before midnight, after midnight it costs $8. Often gets busy about 2AM when the other pubs have closed for the night. Before 11:30PM it is very quiet and a good place to have some quiet drinks. Shadows does not have a beer garden, but it does have a designated smoking area outside.
• The Gambier Hotel also known as The G. The G has been voted as one of Australia's best pubs and is the most upmarket you'll find in The Mount. Sometimes has a cover charge depending on the entertainment. The G also does an extra breakfast.
• Flanagan's Irish Pub also known as 'Flannie's'. Good meals and often has a live band. It gets crowded very quickly as the pub is rabbit-warren like.
• Alexander's Entertainment Complex is a bar/pool hall. Popular with the younger crowd, is basically just a big hall with a bar in the middle. Gets very noisy very quickly.
• spuds . Spud Train: a train-shaped vending van which serves baked potatoes. Spudway is a bus selling spuds just like the previous company and can be found just a little bit down the road. Spudway has by far the better food. Look for the waving oversized potato/man on the weekends.  
• -37.896 140.7988 1 Clarendon Lodge & Chalets , 59 Clarke Rd, Ob Flat , ☏ +61 418 841 647 . Check-in: 2PM , check-out: 10:30AM . 4 self-contained chalets set between 650 walnut trees, picturesque lawns and gardens and 5 km to Mt Gambier's Blue Lake. ( updated Jun 2023 )
• Old Gaol , 25 Margaret Street , ☏ +61 8 8723 0032 , toll-free: 1 800 626 844 , [email protected] . This is an old jail that has been sectioned off into 27 rooms.  
• Jubilee Motor Inn , 180 Jubilee Highway East , ☏ +61 8 8725 7444 , fax : +61 8 8723 0355 , [email protected] . $55/room .  
• The Police Station is on Bay Road, just south of the main intersection of the CBD. This station is attended 24 hours a day.
• At night time it is safest to park on Penola road (in KFC) or in the 'ANZ carpark' (large carpark on Commercial street West. It has little alleyways which lead to Penola road). Police cars patrol this carpark periodically, while the KFC carpark is opposite Shadows and is well lit.
• The entire town is a 50 km/h zone except Wireless Road East and West, Sutton Avenue, Suttontown Road, Pick Avenue, Wehl Street North and South and Jubilee Highway where the speed limit is 60 km/h. Speed cameras are often located on Lake Terrace and Sturt street. There are fixed speed cameras on several of the traffic light intersections. If there are no signs, assume 50 km/h.
• The road around the Blue Lake is badly lit at night time and is windy in parts. Part of this road is signed at 40 km/h.
• The Lakes area (including the Valley Lake and the Centenary Tower) and Marist Park are locked at 8PM nightly. It is free to have the gates opened by the council, but it can be a long time to wait, especially at night. If you see a boom gate at any time, check for a sign which will state the closure time.
• There are several medical and dental clinics in Mt Gambier. The hospital is located on Wehl street north. The wait for out patients can be long and is comparative to city wait times. The chemists take turns in staying open until 9PM, the opening times are posted on the windows.
• The local surf beach is Brownes Bay about 10 km east of Port Macdonell. This beach is very popular with locals but is not patrolled and has no bathroom or change room facilities. If you have a small or lowered car it is easy to be bogged in the sand (there is no car park).
• There are payphones on Commercial Street east (near Eddie's Furniture), outside the post office on Helen Street, at the Lady Nelson and on Pick Avenue. Some venues still have the old blue or yellow phones inside their building, but these are prone to breaking down. Most places will allow you to make local calls in urgent situations.

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Mount Gambier located is within a climatic transition zone between oceanic and Mediterranean climate type with warm dry summers and cool wet winters...

Mount Gambier Information

Mount Gambier located is within a climatic transition zone between oceanic and Mediterranean climate type with warm dry summers and cool wet winters. Visiting Mount Gambier in summer is a great option as you can view...

Are you wondering where to take the kids for a fun family holiday? Think no further than Mount Gambier, an enchanting destination between Melbourne and Adelaide. Making plans to visit Mount Gambier has to be on any...

Mount Gambier Airport provides accessibility to the charming destinations of Mount Gambier. The airport is aptly described as the ‘Gateway to the Limestone Coast.’ The airport is situated in Wandilo, on the...

The buses in Mount Gambier are a convenient and efficient way to get around the town. Mount Gambier Bus Lines operates the Mount Gambier City Bus Service, a Monday to Friday operation offering three different loops...

Located approximately 12kms from the town centre via the Riddoch Highway, the Mount Gambier Airport (code MGB) is the sole airport offering flights to most of the south-eastern towns & cities in SA and VIC...

Kingston Airport is located just to the north of the township and is 240 km from Adelaide – making it easily accessible from different parts of Australia. The airport code for Kingston Airport is: YKIG The airport...

Naracoorte Airport is situated 3.7 km south of Naracoorte and has its operations overseen by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council. The small airport offers local flights to a number of nearby airports including Mount...

Robe Airport in Robe, South Australia, is a local airport with light traffic which services Robe, South Australia and Australia through connecting flights. Visitors making plans to visit Robe must take note that the...

Millicent Airport is a private airport in South Australia, and whose services allow visitors to fly privately out of the airport. As a private airport, visitors planning to use the airport must take note that there are...

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Japan Likes Tourists, Just Not This Many

The country has politely handled travelers for years, but as international visitors spill into previously untouristed spots, some residents are frustrated.

By Yan Zhuang

The writer spent several days elbowing through crowds in Kyoto and Fuji City, Japan.

On two recent occasions, a foreign tourist walked into Shoji Matsumoto’s barbershop, through a front door that grates loudly when opened more than halfway, wanting a haircut.

One was Italian, the other British. Mr. Matsumoto, who is 75 and speaks neither of their languages, didn’t know what to tell them. He picked up his scissors and began to cut, hoping that his decades of experience would carry him through the stilted encounters.

Tourists, propelled in part by a weak yen that makes their money go further in Japan, have been pouring into the country ever since it eased its coronavirus-related entry restrictions in 2022. Some officials, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, have raised concerns about overtourism. In March, there were more than three million international arrivals, a monthly record, and a more than 10 percent jump compared with March 2019.

Nearly two thirds of international visitors tend to be from South Korea, Taiwan and China. Last year, spending from foreign tourists made up about 9 percent of Japan’s gross domestic product.

Popular sites in cities like Kyoto, Japan’s ancient royal capital, feel increasingly unmanageable. Visitors are spilling into previously untouristed places, like small towns near Mount Fuji or the commercial district of Kyoto where Mr. Matsumoto cuts hair.

“Before, it was normal to see tourists in certain spots,” Mr. Matsumoto said from a low chair in his barbershop on a recent Saturday. “But now, they’re spreading out to random and unexpected places.”

That influx is testing the patience of a generally polite society.

In Kyoto and other heavily visited cities, some residents grumble about being priced out of hotel rooms or crowded out of buses and restaurants. Others say that tourists sometimes disrespect local customs by, say, chasing after geishas to photograph them or eating while walking, a behavior that is considered rude in Japan.

One day last month, it took Hiroshi Ban six hours — twice as long as usual — to visit Kyoto’s Heian Jingu shrine. Mr. Ban, 65, attributed the delay partly to tourists who hold up buses by counting out coins for the fare.

“Every day feels like a carnival here,” said Mr. Ban, an event organizer. “We can’t enjoy our daily lives in peace.”

Even those who directly benefit from tourism revenue worry that it might be unsustainable.

Hisashi Kobayashi, a taxi driver in Kyoto, said business was so good that taking a day off felt like passing up easy money. But many tourism-related industries were struggling to keep up with demand as they recovered from pandemic-era labor shortages, he said.

“When Japanese people come here, they feel they’re in a foreign land because there are so many tourists,” Mr. Kobayashi, 56, added as his taxi approached a bottleneck near a popular temple. “It’s not Kyoto anymore.”

Some rural locations are feeling the strain for the first time. One is Fuji City, about 200 miles by road east of Kyoto in Shizuoka Prefecture.

After a bridge with a direct view of Mount Fuji started to become popular on social media late last year, Shizuoka’s tourism department said on Instagram that it was a good spot for “beautiful, dreamlike pictures.” Left unsaid was that the bridge sat in a residential area with no visitor parking spaces, public toilets or garbage cans.

Many visitors littered, parked in driveways and in some cases dodged traffic to take photos from the bridge’s median strip, residents said in interviews.

Over a public holiday last month, about 300 tourists arrived daily for four days, standing in a line for photos that coiled down the street, said Mitsuo Kato, 86, who lives by the bridge.

“They just park here,” Mr. Kato said outside his home on a recent Sunday, as groups of tourists from South Korea diligently took photos of clouds that were obscuring Mount Fuji. “So we had to put up signs.”

Officials across Japan have been responding to the tourism surge with varying degrees of efficacy.

In Fuji City, the authorities erected a makeshift six-car parking lot and started to build a larger one that would fit 15 cars and include a bathroom, said Motohiro Sano, a local tourism official.

In a neighboring prefecture, Yamanashi, officials in the town of Fujikawaguchiko put up a billboard-size screen last month to deter tourists from photographing a Lawson convenience store whose blue awning sits beneath the mountain and became a staple of social media posts. The screen is now dotted with holes large enough to fit a phone camera lens, the local news media reported .

In Shibuya, a heavily visited area of Tokyo, officials announced plans to ban drinking alcohol outdoors at night in an attempt to curb bad behavior by young people and tourists.

And in Kyoto, where signs in train stations ask visitors to “mind your manners,” the government began running special buses for tourists this month.

At the city’s Nishiki market, where some residents have complained of finding grease stains on their clothing after squeezing through throngs of snacking tourists, Yoshino Yamaoka gestured to two signs hanging outside her barbecue eel restaurant.

Both said in English, “No eating while walking.” One had a larger font, and its text was underlined in red.

“People weren’t following it, so I put up this one with a stricter tone,” Ms. Yamaoka, 63, said of the bolder sign. But she wondered whether her new approach was too strict.

“Business depends on the tourists,” she said.

To beat the crowds on a recent weekend, some tourists visited popular Kyoto sites at sunrise or waited 40 minutes to eat at a popular ramen joint at 11 p.m. A few complained about the congestion they had helped to create.

“It’s a disaster,” said Paul Oostveen, 70, a tourist from the Netherlands, after leaving the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a popular attraction.

From his empty barbershop, Mr. Matsumoto said that he had successfully cut the hair of his two foreign clients and that he wouldn’t turn away others who stumbled through his door.

But he worried about providing good quality service to customers he couldn’t understand, he said, and would prefer that non-Japanese speakers go elsewhere.

Even though tourism is good for the nation, he added over the drone of a radio, “There’s a part of me that’s not fully content.”

Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter in Seoul who covers breaking news. More about Yan Zhuang