Surrounded by stunning crater lakes, Mount Gambier is a bustling country town set within a dramatic volcanic landscape. This charming South Australia town has plenty of natural attractions to explore both above and below the Earth’s surface.

Things to do

No visit to Mount Gambier is complete without witnessing the Blue Lake that lies within an extinct volcanic crater. A walking trail accesses the numerous viewing platforms scattered around its perimeter, with the lake transforming from a cobalt blue in summer to deep grey in winter.

For the best views of Mount Gambier, climb to the top of the Centenary Tower, built in 1904 at the summit of the town. It offers impressive panoramas across the lake-dotted volcanic surrounds, along with an extensive collection of historic photographs of the area.

Visit the Umpherston Sinkhole, a beautiful sunken garden designed by James Umpherston in the late-19th century. Hydrangeas, tree-ferns and terraced gardens are set within its eroded limestone cave and dotted with sculptures inspired by the geological processes that formed it.

A short drive from Mount Gambier takes you to Tantanoola Cave, renowned for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours explore its 30-metre-wide cavern and offer an introduction to the history and geology of a prehistoric marine cliff.

Getting around

Mount Gambier is around five hours’ drive from both Adelaide and Melbourne, with regular flights from Mount Gambier Airport. Public buses are the main form of transport, but many of sights are within easy walking distance of one another.