Mount Gambier Weekend Trip
Sinkholes, caves, lakes & diving in South Australia
Friday | Driving to Robe
Drive to Robe, South Australia
Friday 6pm
Driving to Robe will take approximately 3 hours 45 minutes from Adelaide CBD. As this will most likely be an after work drive we suggest just driving to Robe and not taking many stops along the way. However, when in Kingston be sure to take a photo with the Australian Icon; the Big Lobster.
Saturday | Mount Gambier
Engelbrecht Cave & Cafe
Saturday 10am
Driving from Robe to Mount Gambier should take you around 1 hour and a half. When you get to Mount Gambier you’ll need breakfast. And what better place to have breakfast other than at one of Gambier’s famous caves. The Engelbrecht Cave & Cafe opens at 9:30am and for a small fee you can tour these gorgeous caves.
Kilsby Sinkhole
Saturday 12:30pm
Be sure to book in advance on the Kilsby Sinkhole website. This is an utterly jaw dropping experience and a must do in not only Mount Gambier but in South Australia. You can experience snorkelling in a freshwater limestone sinkhole (Fridays-Mondays). Wow! Truely exilerating and mind blowing.
Natural Born Grillers
Saturday 3pm
Natural Born Grillers is one of the best restaurants in Mount Gambier. Gorgeous burgers and an outstanding meat-free menu. Loaded fries, Vegan burgers, vegetarian burgers, and mouth watering beef patties.
Cave Garden
Saturday 4pm
Located in the middle of the Mount Gambier city, the gorgeous Mount Gambier Cave Garden has a sinkhole that was the original source of water for the early settlers. It’s a free and super fun experience to walk down the sinkhole and admire the wonderful roses, and other flora.
Umpherston Sinkhole
Saturday 5pm
Umpherston Sinkhole Cave is a serious must do when in Mount Gambier. It lies in the city and is a stunning park with a whole garden growing in the sinkhole. It looks so so fantastic and you might even spot a wild possum! Also known as “the Sunken Garden”, be sure to have the camera ready.
Little Blue Lake
Saturday 6pm
The Little Blue Lake is a popular spot for visitors and locals to enjoy a swim in a completely natural sinkhole. Ever wanted to swim in a sinkhole in South Australia? You can, and it’s free! What an adventure! 40 metre diameter and up to 25 metres deep it truely is something to marvel over.
Bahn Kubo Thai
Saturday 7:30pm
Located in Mount Gambier city this Asian restaurant is the perfect dinner spot. Bahn Kubo has unique flavour combinations from Thailand, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and more. They also have a great lunch special and offer vegetarian options!
Sunday | Mount Gambier
Valley Lake Wildlife Park
Sunday 7am
Open at 7am this is an awesome place to visit for an early morning walk. With emus, kangaroos, and lots of Australian birds this place is a super nice way to wake up when in Mount Gambier. The park also features a great diverse collection of indigenous flora so be sure to snap a few pics at the Valley Lake Wildlife Park.
Blue Lake
Sunday 8am
Right next to Valley Lake Wildlife Park lies Mount Gambier’s most famous icon; The Blue Lake. This is a must visit when travelling from Adelaide. This microadventure would not be complete with ticking this gorgeous sightseeing masterpiece off the bucket list.
Cafe Melzar
Sunday 8:30am
After your morning walk at Valley Lake Wildlife Park and snapping photos for Instagram at the Blue Lake its time to get some energy to sustain the next visits to ponds. Eat a gorgeous breakfast/brunch at Cafe Melzar in Mount Gambier.
Ewens Ponds Diving
Sunday 9:30am
For $80 with Reef 2 Ridge you can dive or snorkel Ewens Ponds in Mount Gambier. This $80 includes a single dive including permit, transport, cyclinder, weights and guide. This is such a cool experience and will never be forgotten!
Snorkel Piccaninnie Ponds
Sunday 11am
Reef 2 Ridge also offer snorkelling or diving at Piccaninnie Ponds which is just as cool and exciting as snorkel. It’s sights like these that make South Australia such an incredibly unique and amazing place.
Caroline Sinkhole
Sunday 1pm
This sinkhole is not as known but still a pretty awesome view. View it from a suspended platform near the main carpark on Carba Road. Be sure to take some photos of Mount Gambier’s Caroline Sinkhole which lies in Penambol Conservation Park.
Drive to Adelaide
Sunday 1:30pm
Sadly, your weekend trip to Mount Gambier has come to an end but wow what an adventure it has been! Diving in sinkholes, great foods, exploring caves and views that will drive your Instagram followers wild. Be sure to share this itinerary with your friends and family looking to explore South Australia.
Bonus Activities in Mount Gambier
Tantanoola Caves
Saturday 10am
A super fun idea is to visit Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park. This spectacular cave is 30 minutes out of Mount Gambier. These beautiful caves are a must see when travelling to Mount Gambier, South Australia. Be sure to check their timetable and schedule.