Mount Gambier is a nice weekend getaway from wither Adelaide or Melbourne. A one night stay is good enough to explore this rather relaxed place.
Drove from there towards Warrnambool via A1 Highway. Warrnambool is located on the Great Ocean road and the A1 arches downwards to this place.
Stopped at the Flagstaff Village there and picked up some pamphlets from the visitor centre. Had lunch after having a nice ‘Mocha’ at the ‘Pippies' Cafe’ that overlooks the village.
Then drove from there towards Mount Gambier, South Australia. Crossed the border and dumped the bananas at the quarantine bins. Mount Gambier is located just 17 ams from the border. The place is best known from the Blue Lake that is deep blue due to the calcium carbonate crystals in the lake. The place is not too far from the coast as well and is also known as the ‘Limestone coast’.
We stopped at the Lady Nelson discovery centre to pick up some pamphlets and checked in at the Quality Inn Presidential and dumped our stuff there. The town is really small so everything is kind of close to each other.
We drove around Blue Lake stopping at various scenic points and took pictures. The lake is indeed very blue and a photographer’s paradise.
There are other lakes closely as well like the Valley lake that is green in colour. There is a ‘Leg of mutton’ lake as well called so because of its shape. These are also known as ‘Crater Lakes’ due to the early volcanic activity in the area.
There is the ‘Centenary tower’ as well, but we did not walk up there. Spent some time here and left for the ‘Umpherston Sinkhole’. A nice garden has been created at the bottom of the sinkhole and is a short stroll from the top.
There are other lakes closely as well like the Valley lake that is green in colour. There is a ‘Leg of mutton’ lake as well called so because of its shape. These are also known as ‘Crater Lakes’ due to the early volcanic activity in the area.
There is the ‘Centenary tower’ as well, but we did not walk up there. Spent some time here and left for the ‘Umpherston Sinkhole’. A nice garden has been created at the bottom of the sinkhole and is a short stroll from the top.
From here, drove the ‘Hungry Jacks’ for a quick snack and left for the hotel to get some rest. Left the hotel around 7 in the evening after a couple of hour’s of rest and headed towards “Cave Gardens” located in the town centre at the corner of commercial street. The cave which is more of a sinkhole rather than a cave is nicely lit up with colourful lights and is the location of a Light and Sound show depicting the history of this area. The show that started after a long wait was a waste of time and quite boring.
We left and headed towards “Curry Club” - One of the 2 or 3 Indian restaurants in the town. We tried “Gourmet Indian” first but that was apparently shutting shop for the day.
Anyway, we ordered some food in Curry Club which was not great. Especially the chicken in chicken tikka did not seem fully cooked. We complained to the same grumpy guy and left.
Headed back home and had some nice Aussie brekkie at the hotel cafe the next day morning. Checked out of the hotel and head towards the ‘Engelbrecht Cave’. This cave is located in the city and the entry has a $12.5 charge. Taken over by private owners, we found the cave very unimpressive.
Anyway, we ordered some food in Curry Club which was not great. Especially the chicken in chicken tikka did not seem fully cooked. We complained to the same grumpy guy and left.
Headed back home and had some nice Aussie brekkie at the hotel cafe the next day morning. Checked out of the hotel and head towards the ‘Engelbrecht Cave’. This cave is located in the city and the entry has a $12.5 charge. Taken over by private owners, we found the cave very unimpressive.
We then headed to the Lady Nelson discovery centre and bought the $4 tickets to take the short tour of the centre. Unimpressive, the place has details about the history of this place as well as the evangelical expedition of the ship - The Lady Nelson.
Left for home after this and reached home around 10 pm.
