Australia
Mount Gambier
Every late November the crater lake turns from winter grey to vivid cobalt.
A cobalt lake fills one crater while roses and tree ferns descend into a nearby sinkhole. Mount Gambier’s streets sit over a landscape of volcanic rims, limestone caves and startlingly clear groundwater.
Blue Lake occupies a volcanic crater and usually develops its vivid summer colour gradually from November, while Umpherston Sinkhole turns a collapsed limestone chamber into a public garden. Engelbrecht Cave reveals the groundwater system beneath the city, with underwater passages reserved for appropriately qualified cave divers. Crater walks and Limestone Coast food connect those volcanic and karst layers across the city.
Solo
Walk the crater rim, descend into the sinkhole garden and take the public dry-cave tour at an unhurried pace.
Couple
Pair the blue crater lake and evening sinkhole garden with Limestone Coast food and wine.
Family
Link Blue Lake lookouts, the sinkhole garden and a public cave tour without entering diver-only passages.
Friends
Build a volcanic-and-cave circuit, keeping any underwater exploration strictly for qualified cave divers.
- Blue Lake occupies a volcanic maar and usually develops its vivid summer blue from November to March.
- Umpherston Sinkhole turns a collapsed limestone chamber into a deep public garden.
- Engelbrecht Cave reveals clear groundwater beneath the city, with diving limited to qualified cave divers.
- The surrounding volcanic and karst landscape supports a substantial circuit beyond a single viewpoint.
Metro Bakery and Cafe bakes all its cakes and breads in-house.
Its breakfast gnocchi arrives with a poached egg and pancetta, a long way from standard bakery fare.
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