Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
urban virtues, but it's not what's above the streets that makes Mount Gambier special −
it's the deep Blue Lake and caves that worm their way though the limestone beneath the
town. Amazing!
1
Sights & Activities
Blue Lake
LAKE
(John Watson Dr; 24hr)
F
Mount Gambier's big-ticket item is the luminous, 75m-
deep lake, which turns an insane hue of blue during summer. Perplexed scientists think it
has to do with calcite crystals suspended in the water, which form at a faster rate during
the warmer months. Consequently, if you visit between April and November, the lake
will look much like any other − a steely grey.
Acquifer Tours
( 08-8723 1199;
www.aquifertours.com
; cnr Bay Rd & John Watson Dr; adult/child/family $9/4/25; tours
9am-5pm Nov-Jan, 9am-2pm Feb-May & Sep-Oct, 9am-noon Jun-Aug)
runs hourly tours, taking
you down near the lake shore in a glass-panelled lift.
Riddoch Art Gallery
GALLERY
lake isn't blue, don't feel blue − cheer yourself up at one of Australia's best regional gal-
leries. There are three galleries (touring and permanent exhibitions, contemporary install-
ations, community displays), plus heritage exhibits and a cinema screening local history
flicks. Free tours 11am Thursday.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
PORT MACDONNELL
Around 30km south of Mt Gambier, snoozy crayfishing Port MacDonnell (popula-
tion 700) is SA's southernmost town. It was once the second-busiest port in the
state, which explains the handsome 1863
Customs House
( 08-8738 2475, 0418 854
595;
www.thecustomshouse.com.au
;
3 Charles St, Port MacDonnell; d from $260)
, now a B&B.
Around 40 ships have sunk along the coast near here since 1844. The
Port
MacDonnell & District Maritime Museum
(
www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=449
;
5-7 Charles
St, Port MacDonnell; adult/child $5/3; 9am-5pm Mon-Thu, 9am-8pm Fri, 10am-4pm Sat & Sun)
is a
barnacle-encrusted trove of artefacts recovered from the shipwrecks.
Cave Gardens
CAVE
