If you love sinkholes, Mount Gambier is the place to go! A one-of-a-kind destination filled with all sort of natural wonders. Think caves, dormant volcanoes and sinkholes that formed over 5000 years ago!
A popular area for cave divers and snorkellers, this part of the Limestone Coast of South Australia is a great stopover when travelling to Adelaide or Melbourne. Check out the Top 10 Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to see in Mount Gambier.
Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to see in Mount Gambier
Little Blue Lake
Only 15 minutes from Mount Gambier in Mount Schank, is the Little Blue Lake. If you want to experience swimming freely in a sinkhole in Mount Gambier, this is the place!
It’s almost a perfectly round sinkhole with a steep staircase descent to reach the clear, cool water. A floating pontoon has been set up over the water for climbing into the sinkhole and from there you can take a refreshing swim. But you will need to work for it! It’s deep (47 metres) and because it’s freshwater, it’s not easy to float, so taking inflatables is a great idea.
There is a large carpark and a small sunbathing area on the rocks to leave your things while you swim. It’s free to visit and always open so on a hot day it is a very popular spot to cool off at.
Mount Schank Crater
If you are heading for lobster in nearby Port MacDonnell, around the corner from the Little Blue Lake, it’s hard to miss Mount Schank. The 5000-year-old extinct volcano can be hiked over the crater, it’s a 2.7 km round walk and about a 20-minute hike to the lookout point to see some great views over the volcano.
Umpherston Sinkhole
One of the most photographed sinkholes in Mount Gambier is Umpherston Sinkhole. This huge 50-metre wide sinkhole has been looked after over the years and transformed into the most gorgeous plush garden.
The viewing platforms are great to take in the sheer size of this huge sinkhole! You can see the exposed limestone rock on one side of it, whether one wall is completely covered in bright green ivy.
Free and always open, it’s a popular spot for evening summer walks. The locals, also include families of possums, that at night come out in the sinkhole and can be fed too (fresh fruit only).
Engelbrecht Cave
A must-see attraction to see in Mount Gambier is Engelbrecht Cave. This large sinkhole and the caves beneath it can be explored by guided tour only. The tour is made of two parts, first, you visit an underground lake, then access a separate section of the cave called the Western cave. The underground lake is very impressive as the water is so clear – that you can barely see it!
A cool 16 degrees inside, the cave is classified as being a dry limestone cave – so you won’t see stalactites or stalagmites.
The fully guided tour takes around 1 hour. The knowledgeable guides take you through the very interesting history of the cave, which was for many years used as a rubbish tip.
The cave has now been fully restored and cleaned for the public to enjoy. It’s immaculately maintained and so well presented! The operators of the cave also run a café and a small shop selling locally made Molony’s Sodas (which were flying off the shelves when we were there).
The cave also allows certified cave divers to dive (for a fee) and is a popular diving spot. The Engelbrecht cave system runs all under Mount Gambier and is one of the longest caves along the Limestone coast!
If travelling with children, this attraction is great for kids! You can read more about it in my other post on Visiting Mount Gambier with Kids.
More info at: www.engelbrechtcave.com Cost: AUD 15 per Adult, AUD 9 per Child, Free under 4 yrs
Blue Lake
Dormant for almost 5000 years, the impressive Blue Lake is set inside a huge volcano crater. Depending on the temperature, the shades of blue change throughout the year from a deep turquoise, to a lighter blue. Although you cannot actually swim in this lake (it’s the water supply for Mount Gambier), you can do some amazing hikes along the rim of the lake (3.5 km round trip).
Cave Garden
Located right in the centre of town in Mount Gambier is Cave Gardens. 30 metres deep, this sinkhole also has gardens and manicured rose bushes all around and is worth checking out!
Hells Hole
A 20 minutes drive from the centre of Mount Gambier as you drive in the endless pine forest at Lower Glenegl National Park, Hells Hole is well worth a visit.
Follow the sandy path from the car park up a slope to reach the sinkhole (5-10 minutes walk) – and catch a breath before you walk across the overhanging platform that looks right down this 30 metre deep sinkhole. Very impressive!
TIP: Just a short drive away from Hells Hole (10 minutes) there is also Caroline Sinkhole. It’s not easy to find as there are no signs as you drive from Hells Hole through the pine forest. The sinkhole is located within the Penambol Conservation Park and you can access it via Carba Road by car, before a short walk to reach the sinkhole and overhanging platform.
Snorkelling in Sinkholes in Mount Gambier
Most of the sinkholes in Mount Gambier are popular diving spots for certified cave divers only. There are some that allow for snorkelling too, where you do not need a diving certificate.
These sites below allow for recreational snorkelling provided you book in (for a fee). In some cases, you MUST bring your own wetsuit and gear.
Kilsby Sinkhole
A privately owned sinkhole and an attraction to see in its own right, the Kilsby Sinkhole is one of the most beautiful sinkholes to see and explore and a Top 10 in this list. With depths of up to 60 metre and crystal clear waters, this place is a popular diving sport. Diving and snorkelling private tours (starting from 99 AUD pp) are available.
Cave tours are also available to have a look at the sinkhole and last for 1 hour (20 AUD per person). Recently they also started a Gin Distillery onsite called Sinkhole Gin, made using the clearest waters from the sinkhole.
Ewens Ponds
Ewens Ponds is a complex of 3 spring-fed limestone ponds that are all connected by shallow channels with stunning underwater gardens to explore.
Snorkellers and divers keep coming back to these flooded sinkholes for the amazing visibility you get underwater.
Snorkelling sessions must be booked ahead from the Parks SA website and start from 16.50 AUD per hour, per person. You must bring all your own gear that includes a full wetsuit, maximum 2 hour sessions and you must snorkel with at least 1 other person.
Piccaninnie Ponds
Another popular snorkelling and diving spot with fantastic underground visibility up to 40 metres is the Piccaninnie Ponds. The site is made up of 3 main areas that include the First Pond, the Chasm – a sinkhole that’s over 100 metres deep, and the Cathedral, which is made of limestone formations and 35 metres deep.
Note: The site is currently closed for all water activities including diving and snorkelling until further notice due to algae growth. You can keep an eye on for updates on the Parks SA website.
Getting Around in Mount Gambier
The best way to access all of these sights in Mount Gambier is to self-drive! The main sites listed in the article are within 15-30 minutes of each other. 2-3 days of sightseeing can cover most of them!
Want to read more about Mount Gambier?
Travelling with kids to Mount Gambier? Check out my other post about Visiting Mount Gambier with Kids.
What to explore other areas on the along the Limestone Coast? Check out my other post on Port MacDonnell: The Rock Lobster Capital of Australia.
