The Blue Lake is one of Mount Gambier’s most iconic landmarks and something we always make time to see whenever we visit. The lake sits in the crater of an extinct volcano that last erupted over 4,000 years ago, and today it’s one of the most striking natural features in the region. The walk around the lake is under 4km in length and takes roughly an hour at a leisurely pace, especially if you stop at the lookouts along the way. One of the highlights is walking under the road to reach the Black Wall Lookout, which provides a fantastic elevated perspective. The lake sits at an altitude of around 150 metres, with the surrounding crater walls rising even higher, making for dramatic views across the water. The colour of the lake is especially remarkable. In the warmer months, usually from November to March, the water changes to a vivid cobalt blue, especially under a clear sky. At other times of the year it takes on a more steel-grey tone, but it’s always impressive to see. With walking paths, interpretive signs, and several scenic lookouts, it’s an easy and rewarding experience. If you’re in Mount Gambier, visiting the Blue Lake is an absolute must.

This is one attraction worth seeing if you visit Mount Gambier. However from what we were told, the best chance of seeing the blue of the Lake is between November & March. A fine, sunny day is best. It can be a bit hit & miss. There are no fees for entry. And no queues. Parking is free, right above the Lake. There are marked spots off the side of the road. There is a gutter from the parking lot that needs to be accessed, so may be a hurdle for those with mobility issues.

Worth the trip. Lovely bike ride from the city centre around blue lake. So much wildlife and surprise cactus garden near one of the lookouts.

A beautiful 3.5k walk around the Blue Lake with plenty of scenic lookouts along the way. 😊 Not challenging and thoroughly enjoyable. Possible for anybody of any age to complete. Our kids really enjoyed the walk. Highly-recommended. If you're going to take the time to go for a walk I recommend checking out the big blue lake. 😊 Thanks Mt Gambier! We have bee. Having a blast. 😊

If you are around Mt Gambier, this amazing lake is a must to visit. It's got a breathtaking view. The lake is surprisingly blue because of a natural phenomenon, but its beauty is much more than to be depicted in photos.

Amazing, beautiful volcanic crater Blue lake, located in the south side of Mt Gambier town in South Australia, is renowned for it's blue colour, which changes with the seasons. It's one of Mt Gambier's main attraction, this lake is also a source of water supply to this town. The water is filtered through the limestone layer which lies underneath the town, it's water quality is high, requiring only minimal treatment before being released for use. There are several lookout point around the lake providing good views, a must-visit location when in South Australia

You can either walk or drive around the rim of the lake. It's a 45 minute walk and along the way there are a few lookouts. The lake is blue, I mean really blue but only during Summer(Dec to Feb) when the water temperature reaches 20 degrees and even in Summer, if you go there early in the morning or in the evening, its colour is dull blue. So make sure you go there when the weather is warm enough. I highly recommend to take a walk around the lake.

Beautiful and well-kept spot, especially when the gardens are in full bloom. The sinkhole itself is impressive and easy to access, with plenty of photo opportunities and shaded areas to relax. Parking right at the site is limited, so it’s best to use the larger parking area shown on the map just a short walk away. Entry is free, and visiting in the late afternoon is extra special when the possums come out.

Umpherston Sinkhole is one of Mount Gambier’s most beautiful and peaceful attractions. The moment you walk down into the sunken garden, you’re surrounded by lush greenery, hanging vines, and perfectly landscaped terraces. It feels like stepping into a hidden world. The place is very well maintained, with clear pathways and plenty of spots to sit, relax, and take photos. In the evening, the resident possums come out, adding a bit of charm and excitement to the visit. Best of all, it’s free and easily accessible. A must-visit spot in Mount Gambier for nature lovers, families, and anyone looking for a unique and calming experience.

The sinkhole is easily accessible with free, nearby parking. Visitors will be impressed by its look, featuring carefully landscaped gardens, stairways, and paths for exploration. The surrounding park is also well-maintained. It's especially worth a visit in the evening to watch the possums emerge from the crevices.

The Umpherston Sink-hole in Mt. Gambier is certainly worth a visit. The garden is picturesque, with quite a variety of plants for such a small area. It's peaceful & relaxing. There are viewing platforms which allow for photo opportunities, & you can climb down via stairs if you'd like. Going down into the garden is not an option for those with mobility issues, but viewing the garden from the first platform is still worthwhile. Several visitors did just that while we were there. Entrance is free, & although there were visitors coming & going, it didn't feel crowded. Parking was free on street, with varying time limits. Children should be under adult supervision at all times.

During our stay in Mount Gambier, we made sure to visit Umpherston Sinkhole, also known as Balumbul, and it really lived up to the reputation of being one of the best free attractions in town. Located just off Jubilee Highway on the edge of Mount Gambier, it’s easy to access with plenty of parking available nearby. Entry is free, and while the gardens close at dusk, you can return in the evening to see the resident possums, which are friendly and often come down looking for food. Walking down the steps into the sinkhole, you’re greeted with a beautifully maintained sunken garden. The terraces are lined with flowers, hydrangeas, lush ferns, and trailing vines that make the entire place feel almost magical. The garden dates back to 1886, when James Umpherston first transformed the limestone cavity into a peaceful retreat. Today, it’s still well kept and offers plenty of great photo opportunities. Around the site you’ll also find toilets, a kiosk and picnic areas, making it a lovely place to spend a relaxing hour. Do note, there are a lot of bees in one corner of the sinkhole—harmless if left alone, but worth being mindful of if you’re allergic. An absolute must-visit when in Mount Gambier.

Visiting this sinkhole was like stepping into a secret garden carved by time itself. Surrounded by vibrant greenery and thriving plant life, the entire area radiates a peaceful, almost magical energy. The natural walls are draped in moss and vines, creating a living tapestry that changes with the light throughout the day. What makes this place truly special is the atmosphere — it's serene, untouched, and full of life. Birds chirp overhead, the air is fresh and earthy, and the gentle rustling of leaves adds to the calming vibe.

Well worth a visit. While the original property is no longer there, the sinkhole has been lovingly restored to its former glory. Entry is free and there's plenty of information about the history and geology of the site. There are restrooms, picnic sites, play areas for kids and a tourist information center at the entrance. TIPS: look out for the wild bee colonies and natural honeycombs in the rocks. There are some very tame possums in the sinkhole please don't try to feed them with bread or meat but if you take some fresh fruit along, they'll love you for it and happily hand feed.

This Cave Garden is far less good compared with the Umpherston Sinkhole, which is a few minutes drive away. If you have visited the Umpherston Sinkhole and don't have enough time, I highly suggest you skipping this Cave Garden. It's pretty small, less nice gardening, with rubbishs inside the deep sink hole. I reckoned better maintenance might make this Cave Garden more beautiful and attractive (perhaps lack of fund from council?). As the Umpherston Sinkhole is so stunning and it is such a nice underground garden, and situated so close to this Cave Garden, otherwise this one might still be good for visiting.

Made a short visit to the sinkhole garden. Look beautiful on the outside but after you take a short walk down and look carefully into the hole, you will see plenty of junk inside. We spotted a shopping trolley, chairs and tyre rims! What is wrong with those people who threw it in?! Nevertheless it still look beautiful from the outside.

The Cave Garden is a unique natural feature situated right in the middle of the city's bustling center, offering remarkably easy access. ​Convenient street parking is available nearby, and an hour is more than enough time to explore. While undeniably accessible, it is significantly smaller and less aesthetically dramatic than the Umpherston Sinkhole. Unfortunately, the garden's natural beauty is somewhat diminished by scattered litter, likely brought in by the wind, which has a noticeably damping effect on the overall experience.

For such a naturally beautiful landmark, it was incredibly disappointing to find it filthy, unkempt and full of litter. We'd been so impressed by all the other beautiful sights in and around Mt Gambier. This was a huge let-down and was heart-breaking to see how this beautiful place is been mistreated and neglected.

Lovely place to visit, always well maintained close to all amenities, coffee and library great to go if raining, turns into a great water feature, also have the Party after The Parade held there following the Christmas Parade. 🏞️☔🎄

The Cave Garden is a well-known attraction in the heart of Mount Gambier, located directly behind City Hall. This large limestone sinkhole has historic significance, as it was once the original water source for many of the town’s early settlers. For me, it’s a place I’ve visited many times since childhood, and while it remains an iconic site, I feel it has seen far better days. The surrounding grounds are well maintained, with lawns, pathways, and signage in good condition. There are multiple viewing levels accessible by both stairs and ramped paths, making it easy for most visitors to get a close look. From the upper level, you can look down into the sinkhole, while the lower paths let you get nearer to the greenery and rock formations. Inside the sinkhole itself, however, the flora could use more attention. It feels a little overgrown and untidy compared to how it once looked, and during my visit, I noticed some unwanted rubbish on the cave floor, which was disappointing. A cleanup and refresh would really help restore its appeal. Entry is free, and it’s open daily, so it’s still worth stopping by if you’re in the city centre. With some extra care, the Cave Garden could easily return to being a standout attraction.

The Mt Gambier Council (Or whatever they are called ) need to spend less money on the "The Blue Bob" and clean the garden up. Wheel Covers and Trolley in the cave in addition to a messy garden...We had the joy of meeting a local homeless person hiding in the garden at 5pm trying to scare us by yelling "Boo" It need a cleaner a gardener and those cameras poiting at The Blue Bob so some kid doesn't stick eyes to it ( And improve it BTW) shold be moved into the Cave Garden

Really enjoyed this cave, lots of interesting history and the tour guide was amazing, so much information and pointed out different things that you wouldn't notice on your own. Lovely coffee shop (with great coffee, best I've had in a long time) all the staff are wonderful. If you visit Mt Gambier you have to visit Engelbrecht cave!

The history of these caves is very interesting. I was there when it was raining, it was amazing to hear the water rushing down crevasse next to the caves. Beautifully restored and looked after. It's definitely worth paying to do the tour

Yeah a dry limestone cave yeah unique in many ways just not very pretty or interesting, or well fun.......much better if your a cave diver I'm sure but for the rest of us who pay 15 bucks for a tour really not that great. I guess a look in to say you did and to look at the clear underground lake water.....and climb a few stairs and listed to a tour guides efforts to make the whole experience more compelling maybe.....

Fantastic set of caves which, also can arranged dive tours, mostly grade 2 and 3 divers. The walking tour guide, Luke, has great Aussie humour, making the tour more enjoyable. He is also very knowledgeable with some historical trivia. Highly recommend this tour, opened 6 days a week, closed on Wednesdays.

There are 2 parts for this cave. The blue water is part one, and the other one is part two. The lady who was giving us the tour of these caves was very good as well. Listening to the history of the cave it was little sad to hear, but a great job done restoring and opening them for tourists. Do book the tickets beforehand. Should be in the list while visiting Mount Gambier!!

Amazing tour guide (Tara I think) who made it so interesting. Not one of the showy stalagmites and stalactites type caves, but a dry cave with a great and unfortunate history. The 45 minutes went quickly and I enjoyed it very much. Worth seeing.

This cave may hv a sad history but look at it now, a beautiful hidden gem! The water is very clear blue and only licensed divers have access to it. You can’t just go into this cave without a tour guide and definitely you can take a picture as much as you can but taking videos are not allowed. Crowded of people during the peak seasons, lucky we still got the ticket! This cave is worth and is a must visit!

This is a wonderful place to spend time with family, friends, and children. There's a large playground near the lake; if you're visiting Mount Gambier, you shouldn't miss it. It closes at 9 PM and opens at 7 AM. The playground closes at 7 PM.

Tranquil setting with playground and wide open grassy areas. Si on one of the park benches and enjoy the amazing scenery.

Valley Lake took my breath away the moment I arrived. The still water sitting inside the crater, surrounded by trees, birdsong, and fresh country air, feels like a hidden sanctuary. Walking the trails and stopping at the lookouts gave me a sense of calm I didn’t expect, it’s the kind of place where time slows down. Families were enjoying picnics, kids laughing in the playground, and kangaroos resting quietly in the wildlife park, it all added to the magic of the place. With easy parking and plenty of space to relax, it’s a spot that truly stays with you long after you leave.

Exploring the crater requires some effort, as the trails feature steep climbs and can be quite challenging—especially when the weather turns windy and rainy. While the water's hue isn't as striking as Blue Lake's, the surrounding views and path scenery are beautiful and well worth the walk. If you're not a regular hiker, take your time on the inclines, but don't be discouraged—they are certainly achievable.

More of bush trail walk to see the valley lake… very nice walk uphill to see the lake. Even caught someone waterskiing…. Some parts of the trail might be not for faint hearted and wear shoes with good grip. Still worth the walk to see it especially when the weather is blue skies and nice breeze

Pretty lake in Mt Gambier. We went to the Blue Lake first so this one didn’t compare however it had a completely different vibe. Beautiful green surroundings too. Plenty of spots to park. Looks lovely from high above as you drive down to the lake.

Nice spot for a picnic. There was plenty of parking. A picnic table. Grassed area overlooking the greenish grey lake. Valley Lake Conservation Park is nearby.

While walking around the Blue Lake, we noticed a tall hill adjacent to it with a stone tower at the top the Centenary Tower and decided to meet friends and make the climb. Be prepared: the walk up is steep, and I mean properly steep, so it doubles as a great cardio workout. In fact, there’s even a defibrillator at the top in case of emergencies, which makes sense once you’ve tackled the incline! Its about 190m above sea level The effort is absolutely worth it though. From the summit, the views are incredible sweeping panoramas of Mount Gambier, the Blue Lake, Valley Lake, and the surrounding volcanic landscape. On a clear day you can see for miles across the lush countryside. The tower itself is an impressive stone structure dating back to the early 1900s, built to commemorate the first sighting of Mount Gambier by Lieutenant James Grant in 1800. There are resting spots along the way, including a chair near the top where you can catch your breath before heading back down. The entrance is via the second gate (not through the caravan park), with clear signage to guide you. This was a challenging but very rewarding walk for us, and a great warm-up before tackling the Grampians later in the week. A must-do if you enjoy history, fitness, and breathtaking views. These are the open hours for the tower the walk is open every day. Tuesday Closed Wednesday Closed Thursday Closed Friday Closed Saturday Closed Sunday Closed Monday 10 am–2 pm

Great view from the top. The tower itself is open when the flag is flying (but you can still walk up to the tower). It is a steep walk up so keep that in mind, a couple of benches on the way up if you need a rest.

360° view from top. 300 meters only from the car park . Very steep going up but don't worry AED machine is on the top for an emergency.

Best place in mt gambier. This is the highest altitude spot in the area. The tower is closed most of the time. But the view from the top is amazing. A 369 deg view of the entire area. You can identify the all 3 craters of the volcano. Valley lake is visible but blue lake is not visible from the top.

The Tower has specific opening days. Even when closed the walk up the hill is worth it. There is a defibrillator at the tower.

It’s a bit of a steep climb to the tower but the views are absolutely worth it. You can see the valley lake from the top. There are also paths for hiking. The tower is not always open but you can go up to the tower and enjoy the views. There is also a giant compass on display and I thought it was awesome. Perfect way to spend a morning if you’re on holiday at Mt. Gambier

Very steep walking up to the tower, the tower is small and nothing particular except for memories. However the best part is the climb. Absolutely enjoyed walking uphill and wide open view of landscape getting larger.