Blue Lake, Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier SA 5290 (Pop 24 500)

Mount Gambier is a bustling SE corner city located 439 km s-e of Adelaide. This large rural centre is set on an extinct volcano amidst volcanic craters and limestone caves. Originally inhabited by the Buandig Aborigines, European settlement began in 1840s and the area was named after Admiral Lord James Gambier. Today major industries include timber, sheep, cattle & crops. Mount Gambier market each Sat. South-East Country Music Weekend (Feb), Mount Gambier Racing (May), Limestone Coast Art & Craft Fair (Aug).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
The Blue Lake (Mount Gambier South) fills an extinct crater to a depth of about 75 m. For unknown reasons the lake is a vivid blue (Nov-Mar), while the rest of the year, it is grayish. Centenary Tower (Mount Gambier summit) beautiful city, lake and countryside vistas. The Crater Lakes (west of Blue Lake) include Little Blue Lake, Browne’s Lake, Valley Lake & Leg of Mutton Lake. The Old Courthouse, Bay Rd a National Trust building comprising a local history museum and art gallery.  Engelbrecht Cave tours are run in these limestone caves located under the city. Umpherston Cave (Jubilee Hwy) contains an impressive landscaped and terraced garden with large palm trees located on the base of a collapsed cave or sinkhole.  

Nearby:
Mount Schank (17 km south) volcano remnant with interesting but steep summit walks. Tantanoola Cave (33 km n-w) discovered in 1930 is noted for its columns and helictites and was Australia’s first wheelchair-access cave. Glencoe (20 km west) home to an 1863 National Trust Limestone and Blackwood Shearing Shed with Lakes Leake and Edward both nearby.

Accommodation:
Mount Gambier has about 20 motels, 10 hotels, holiday apartments/cottages, 3 B&Bs and 6 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Jubilee Hwy East. Tel (08) 8724 9750 or 1800 087 187.

Airport:
Mount Gambier Airport (MGB), off Riddoch Hwy. Tel (08) 8725 1112. (9 km north).

Hospital:
Mount Gambier Hospital, Wehl St North. Tel (08) 8721 1200.