Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Mount Gambier, Australia

South Australia’s second most populous city is located atop a volcanic crater.

Stunning geomorphology enhances the cityscape, featuring volcanic rims, crater lakes, cave systems, and two sinkholes transformed into gardens in the late 19th century.

During the summer months, visitors flock to Mount Gambier to witness the Blue Lake, which, for a limited period, displays a captivating cobalt blue hue.

Due to its geographical significance, in 1800, Mount Gambier was the first area in South Australia to be identified and named by Europeans. A tower, erected 120 years ago, stands at the summit of the volcano to commemorate this historical event.

1. Umpherston Sinkhole

In the 1880s, James Umpherston (1812-1900), a member of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Adelaide, transformed a sinkhole east of the town into a stunning sunken garden.

This geological feature is a limestone solutional cave with a collapsed roof, resulting in a substantial depression in the landscape with steep vertical walls.

Platforms are available at the top, offering an opportunity to admire the vibrant colors of the garden and the vines that drape from the walls. Visitors can then descend the stairs to the sinkhole’s floor to explore the hydrangeas, tree ferns, and fountain.

A colony of possums inhabits the sinkhole and emerges at night, providing an opportunity for visitors to feed them nutritious treats (avoid feeding bread or junk food).

2. Blue Lake

At the peak of summer in December, the expansive crater lake situated in the south of Mount Gambier transitions from a greyish blue to a mesmerizing cobalt blue.

This remarkable phenomenon is attributed to a chemical reaction that occurs when the lake’s water temperature rises to 20°C, lasting for approximately three months before reverting to its subdued hue.

A walking trail encircles the crater, leading to lookouts on the north and west sides where visitors can behold this unforgettable spectacle.

For those seeking a closer experience, Aquifer Tours offers a lift down the lake’s historical well shaft.

During this 45-minute guided excursion, visitors will gain insights into the lake’s role in Aboriginal culture, alongside captivating narratives about its modern history.

3. Cave Garden

This sinkhole, once a water source for early European settlers in Mount Gambier, has been transformed into a garden since the late 19th century.

The sinkhole descends approximately 30 meters deep, with steep sides accessible via walkways and lookouts that overlook the chasm.

The garden is particularly valued for its rose beds, and after rainfall, an enchanting waterfall can be seen.

After sunset, the captivating Evening Light Show depicts Aboriginal Dreamtime stories related to Mount Gambier and its volcanic geography.

4. Engelbrecht Cave

Another chance to explore beneath Mount Gambier’s surface is located at this limestone show cave situated just west of the CBD.

Engelbrecht Cave was uncovered by Europeans in 1864, but for the next century, it served as a refuse dump by its owners. The drier sections of the cave system have now been developed into a tourist destination, featuring lighting, stairways, and viewing platforms.

Accompanied by a tour guide, visitors will learn about the cave’s formation and historical significance.

Much of the Engelbrecht Cave remains flooded, attracting cave divers from around the region.

Explorations of the submerged areas require 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

Overlooking the volcano, the striking Centenary Tower is situated west of Mount Gambier’s two crater lakes.

This dolomite edifice is an iconic part of the city skyline, standing 190 meters above sea level.

Construction commenced in 1900 to commemorate the centenary of Mount Gambier’s sighting by Lieutenant James Grant aboard the HMS Lady Nelson, welcoming its inaugural visitors in 1904. The tower provides a prime vantage point for surveying Mount Gambier’s distinctive volcanic terrain, complete with an orientation index on the platform below, delineating various landmarks in the distance.

Visitors can access Centenary Tower via the Mountain Trail, which follows the rim above Valley Lake.

6. Valley Lake

The lake situated in the crater below Centenary Tower shares the same volcanic origins as Blue Lake but remains less frequented by tourists.

Before reaching Centenary Tower, another excellent viewpoint for the lake, Mount Gambier, and the surrounding landscape can be found at Potters Point Lookout.

On the western shore of the lake lies a wildlife park, featuring trails and a boardwalk where visitors may encounter kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas, and wombats.

Adjacent to the water, amenities include a children’s playground, barbecue facilities, shelters, and sports areas equipped with cricket nets.

7. Mount Schank

Travel south along the Riddoch Highway from Mount Gambier, and you will soon encounter another dormant volcano that dominates the otherwise flat landscape.

Standing 100 meters tall, Mount Schank features two overlapping craters to the north and south, measuring 300 meters and 200 meters in diameter, respectively.

It is estimated that the volcano last erupted 5,000 years ago, and its geological history is integrated into local Aboriginal Dreamtime narratives about the giant Craitbul. Visitors can park by the highway and follow a two-kilometer trail up to the rim, allowing them to gaze into the well-preserved cider cone and enjoy views of Mount Gambier on the horizon to the north.

8. The Riddoch & Main Corner Complex

Overlooking the Cave Garden from the north stands the Civic Centre of Mount Gambier, housing the Riddoch Art Gallery and the Main Corner, which features engaging interactive exhibits focused on the region’s volcanic geomorphology.

This complex elegantly combines the Romanesque Revival-style, dolomite-constructed Town Hall (1882) with modern architectural elements completed in 2011. The Riddoch Art Gallery is notable as South Australia’s oldest regional gallery, showcasing a permanent collection exceeding 2,000 works.

Visitors can explore exhibitions drawn from this collection alongside esteemed 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 enlightening introduction to the Aboriginal genesis narrative of the Kanawinka region and its dynamic natural history, a regular big screen presentation occurs at the Main Corner.

This presentation begins with the Aboriginal Dreamtime accounts of the volcanic landscape, centered around the giant Craitbul and his extensive camp ovens.

Subsequently, attendees will learn about the eight significant eruptions that shaped Mount Gambier and how volcanic activity has defined the Kanawinka Region.

This audiovisual experience is available at 13:00 and 15:00 on weekdays, and 11:00 and 13:00 on weekends.

10. Railway Lands

In 2015, the former industrial railway corridor of the now-closed Mount Gambier Station was transformed into a vibrant and award-winning public space.

Railway Lands features expansive lawns, an amphitheatre, a large events plaza, a nature-oriented elevated play area, barbecue facilities, a labyrinth, a pond with a creek, and a sheltered market platform.

It serves as a venue for diverse public events, ranging from fitness classes to outdoor film screenings, concerts, markets, and art installations.

Additionally, 5.5 kilometers of the old railway line have been repurposed into a multi-use rail trail that traverses the former station.

11. Lady Nelson Visitor Centre

This facility located to the east of the CBD is an ideal location for acquiring brochures and engaging with knowledgeable staff regarding accommodation, attractions, tours, and events throughout South Australia.

Locally made souvenirs are available for purchase, and visitors can also enjoy soft drinks and access public toilet facilities.

Additionally, the Lady Nelson Visitor Centre serves as an attraction in its own right.

Featured is a full-sized replica of the HMS Lady Nelson, the survey vessel from which the dormant crater of Mount Gambier was first observed by Europeans in 1800. Inside, the documentary “Across the Green Triangle” portrays the nature, history, and development of Mount Gambier and its surroundings.

Among the exhibits is the ossified skull of a simosthenurus, a distant relative of the kangaroo from the Pleistocene era.

The centre also features a glass floor suspended over an array of fossils, alongside a series of interactive displays dedicated to marine life along the South Australian coast.

12. Echo Farm

Located just minutes from the city, this attraction offers an opportunity to reconnect with agricultural heritage through a self-guided tour.

Echo Farm showcases historical exhibits from the 1890s to the 1950s, shedding light on past livelihoods. Visitors can explore the old farmhouse, preserved as it was in the 1940s.

Children will delight in interacting with Echo Farm’s animals, including donkeys, sheep, horses, goats, ducks, pigs, emus, geese, chickens, and cats, many of which are friendly and approachable.

Light refreshments are available for purchase on-site, or visitors may opt to bring their own food and drinks for a relaxing picnic.

13. Vansittart Park

For a tranquil urban park in the heart of Mount Gambier, Vansittart Park offers a serene environment on the west side of the CBD, originating from the 1880s.

This green area encircles an oval field, which serves as the home ground for the North Gambier Football Club, participating in the Western Border Football League.

Vansittart Park is well-maintained and features walking and jogging tracks, a vibrant botanical garden, a fenced picnic area, and an elegant rotunda established in 1913. The children’s playground is also commendable, featuring a variety of equipment safely cushioned with woodchips.

14. Mount Gambier Public Library

This multimillion-dollar facility, located on the southern outskirts of Cave Garden, is a notable public library.

Shortly after its inauguration in 2010, it garnered recognition as one of the best small public libraries globally.

More than a decade later, it remains a standard for its bold, innovative architecture and extensive services.

Travellers seeking to stay connected or plan their next endeavors will appreciate the computer access, free Wi-Fi, and Bookmark Cafe.

The children’s section is particularly impressive, inspired by Mount Gambier’s caves, sinkholes, and lakes while incorporating a play area.

15. Mount Gambier RSL War Museum

For those with additional time, an engaging museum can be found at the Mount Gambier RSL (Returned and Services League) Club building, situated near the Cave Garden.

Exhibits include a diverse array of military artifacts displayed in wall-mounted cases, comprising uniforms, flags, weapons, ammunition, documents, medals, gas masks, helmets, and various other equipment.

These items capture the entirety of Australia’s conflict history, from World War I to engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq.