This weekend, we ticked another destination off the South Australian bucket list and explored Mt Gambier. Being that we’re saving for our big trip at the end of the year, we like to make sure that our little trips along the way are budget friendly and Mt Gambier was perfect for this with loads of free attractions on offer.
To break up the trip, we left Friday night and drove till we reached Meningie and headed out to camp on the Coorong. We took the 4WD track option, but there was also an option for those looking for a scenic camp spot without the heavy duty vehicles. Luckily Rob had stayed here before and before long we were set up and tucked into bed for the night.
The next morning, we were up before the sun to continue route to Mt Gambier. Now usually I am not a morning person but when out camping there is nothing better as it’s when all the animals come out to play. As we made our way through the national park, there were many kangaroos enjoying their morning feed. We trekked through some muddy holes, not without some failed attempts (but that’s the fun of it all), waved hello to Larry the Lobster in Kingston and pretty soon had reached our destination.
Being the organised freak that I am, I had obviously already looked up all the cool, free things there were to do in Mt Gambier and having not been since being a kid, I was eager to visit every last attraction.
First stop, the Umpherston Sinkhole. Whether you’re a plant person or not (and I definitely am!), this place is awe-inspiring. As you pull up to the carpark, you’re greeted by beautiful parklands and picnic facilities. You then walk down the path and there it is; covered in hanging, deep green vines. With each step you take down into the sinkhole, the temperature lowers; great for summer days but remember your jacket in winter. Once you’re down there you really can’t help but appreciate nature in all its beauty. The erosion over time has formed artistic patterning in the caves and is the perfect home to colonies of bees and nesting birds. We watched on as courageous mother birds would swoop into the buzzing hives and collect the delicious nectar. The garden itself was pristine and well kept. I could have literally sat in there for hours admiring all the foliage, but we had a lot to squeeze into our short stay.
Next stop, the famous Blue Lake. Even on an overcast day, this beauty pulled out all the big guns to show off her blueness. We were interested to read that the lake was originally formed as a crater created by a volcanic eruption. People have also used the lookout as a romantic location to lock their love, so if you’re visiting with your special someone don’t forget to bring a long your engraved lock and key. After spending a bit of time exploring the lookouts around the lake, we headed back into the town center to cook up some lunch and check out another gorgeous garden, the Cave Garden. While not as big as it’s older brother, the Umpherston Sinkhole, this little beauty is something to see with a large array of greenery, from succulents to vines and roses. Being a plant lover, this one blew me away to see all the different plants coexisting so beautifully.
Once finishing our scrumptious steak sandwiches (thanks Rob) we ventured to our final stop, and in my opinion the most photogenic, of the day. Just outside of town, you will find the most aesthetic swimming hole, the Little Blue Lake. Unfortunately, it was a bit cold for us to strip off (into bathers) and jump in, but the little lake is equally as blue and beautiful as its larger counterpart. Down just a few steps, is a pontoon that you can use to access the water or just relax in the sun. The erosion in the rocks has made natural artistry and deep within are underwater caves and channels for the daring that will link you to other waterholes in the area.
On our way home, we stopped into see family friends in Mount Burr which is surrounded by pine forestry and is quite the fairy tale setting. From here we began the 5hour trip home, stopping at a truck stop for the nights rest.
I highly recommend getting yourself to Mt Gambier as there’s something for everyone and it’s quite easy to keep to a budget. Although we didn’t visit them this time, there are also numerous caves scattered throughout the region that we will hopefully explore next time.
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