Mount Gambier, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Airing Date: Jun 17th, 2002
Of particular interest is the Blue Lake. Formed 5,000 years ago in the crater of an extinct volcano it is a geological mystery.
In the summer months the Lake turns a brilliant iridescent turquoise then five months later it turns back to blue. This colour change is an unexplained mystery of nature.
To find out more about the lake take a Blue Lake Aquifer Tour.
These tours have you going down a 30 metre shaft of solid rock right to the Lake's edge. This shaft was originally dug out manually in the 1880s and was used to pump water from lake but these days at the bottom there is a quite unexpected sight - disco lights!
Ewen's Pond is a chilly 11 degrees but with crystal clear water it is rated as one Australia's best inland snorkelling holes. It is free to snorkel here and if you don't have the gear you can hire a suit and snorkel from Bay Dive & Surf in Port MacDonnell.
There's another mysterious hole in the ground in the area, the Umpherston Cave or Umpherston Sinkhole as it is often referred to.
A sinkhole is created when the roof of an underground cave collapses and the top soil that was once the roof becomes the bottom.
The Sinkhole itself is very old however about 30 years ago a bunch of local volunteers restored a garden that had been created here by James Umpherston in the 1880s.
Today it is one of Mount Gambier's most popular tourist attractions. It is free to look around but to experience the real charm of this sunken treasure you will have to wait until night falls. At this time about 40 brush tail possums venture out to feed. Tourists are able to go down and feed them any night of the week.
Another spectacular and energetic activity is a trip to the top of the Centenary Tower however the hike is well worth it for the million dollar view of the area.
Sorrentos located in Mount Gambier's Old Post Office is a great place to eat and offers delicious fresh food including magnificent seafood platters.
The facts
Rooms at the Mount Gambier Hotel cost from $65 per night.
Mount Gambier Hotel
Tel: 08 8725 0611
The Blue Lake Aquifer Tour costs $5.50 per person.
Aquifer Tours
Tel: 08 8723 1199
To hire a wet suit and snorkel from Bay Dive & Surf will cost from $40.
Bay Dive & Surf
Tel: 08 8738 2225
Sorrentos Caf
Tel: 08 8723 0900
Entry to Centenary Tower is $2 per person.
Limestone Coast Tourism
Tel: 08 8723 1644
Mount Gambier Tourism
Tel: 1800 087 187
