Mark's Travel Journal

Discover some of the best tourist attractions in Mount Gambier you may not know about. Your stay will not be complete if you fail to check out these cool spots.

Mount Gambier is, without a doubt, one of the coolest cities in Australia, and, of course, the second largest in the South.

If you’re planning to take your next camping or hiking journey to the mount, then there are some interesting places you definitely want to check out.

Without wasting too much time, let’s delve straight in and explore these most eye-catching and underrated things here, in Mount Gambier Australia.

Places to Visit in Mount Gambier

Umpherston Sinkhole

If relaxing close to Mother Nature sounds appealing to you, then the Umpherston Sinkhole is the right place. Located in the center of Mount Gambier, this beautiful paradise is home to diverse species of flowers and plants, as well as the rare possums.

While there are many similar “sinkholes” on Mount Gambier, Umpherston stands out as a beautiful delivery of sunken oasis.

Sadly, the possums in the sinkholes are not always in sight. They mostly come out in the dark when they want to eat. So, except you are determined enough to visit this part of the mount at dusk, you may never get to see the small furry creatures.

Blue Lake

Another impressive attraction in Mount Gambier, probably not explored as it should be, is the Blue Lake. This beautiful wonder of nature sits just right inside an ancient volcanic crater which gives an idea of its ancient history.

Although the lake is called “blue,” it is not always blue throughout the year. So, if you plan to visit it, go between November to March, when the color is cobalt blue and vibrant. After summer, it usually changes to steel grey.

There’s probably more to the Mount Gambier Blue Lake than what meets the eye. Meanwhile, it still remains one of the best tourist locations in Mount Gambier and the country.

Victoria Fossil Cave

Another wonderful place to check out while backpacking on Mount Gambier is the Victoria Fossil Cave. You will find it at the Naracoorte Caves National Park.

This Mount Gambier cave hosts some remains of ancient animals – the type that lived during the ice age.

Although you may not be excited by fossils, it is still worth checking out as you will learn a lot about the ancient animal species and the extracted skeletons. You can observe such things only in a place like Mount Gambier.

The Big Lobster

If it’s not your first-time visiting Mount Gambier, then you’ve probably come across the Big Lobster or “Larry” as he’s commonly known.

The red-colored giant sculpture is undeniably one of the “biggest things” not just in Mount Gambier but also on Australian soil at the moment.

Interestingly, Larry has been around since 1979, which makes “him” more than 36 years old. There are ongoing plans to rejuvenate the sculpture. So, you can donate and check “him” in better shape next time.

Much to visitor’s delight, an excellent hotel which is also named the Big Lobster is located in the same place as Larry. You can enjoy a good meal and relax while checking out this giant lobster in Mount Gambier.

Centenary Tower

For the most bird’s-eye view of Mount Gambier, its beautiful coast and landscape, the Centenary Tower is the choice spot.

The tower which got its name from European settlers is currently the most used viewpoint on Mount Gambier Australia. It was built in 1901 but not accessible to visitors and the surrounding communities on the mount before 1904.

From the top of this tower, visitors can see many features of Mount Gambier, including lakes such as the Blue Lake and the Valley Lake.

Engelbrecht Caves

Apart from sinkholes, caves are another common sight in Mount Gambier. Some of the most popular ones are the Engelbrecht Caves.

Although most of the caves usually feature many stalactites or stalagmites, the Engelbrecht Caves are mostly dry with a few lakes. So, if you’re up for a cave-dive, you will probably get a wonderful treat. But then, cave-diving is not for the faint-hearted; it has never been, especially when you consider the Mount Gambier weather here.

Apart from plunging into the closed-in passageways, another thing you can do at Mount Gambier Engelbrecht Caves is to explore its historical and geographical features.

Lake Bonney

Another eye-catching spot you should definitely check out while in Mount Gambier is Lake Bonney. Located in the Limestone Coast and surrounded by the Canunda National Park, this spectacular lake is one of the biggest sources of freshwater in Mount Gambier Australia. Its major highlights include magnificent limestone cliffs, impressive coastal dunes, beautiful land area, and many other natural features that you won’t find elsewhere in Mount Gambier.

It is common to find people surfing or snorkeling in the area. Don’t forget to take your camera because you will see a lot of things to tell about when you speak with your friends about this visit to the mount.

To Wrap It up

There you have it – seven great attractions if you don’t know what to do in Mount Gambier.

Are there any other beautiful places in Mount Gambier that deserve more attention than they’re currently getting? Please drop your comment below and let us know!

 

About the Author

Kevin Fein has been traveling for more than 14 years. His trips have mainly been to Australia and Europe. You could call him an adventurous, as most of his trips were usually targeted towards tourist locations and places with a lot of sightseeing spots.

Although he’s currently residing in Australia, Kevin chose to go wherever his imagination takes him.