Your guide to Mount Gambier’s best caravan parks

Tahlia Pritchard Tahlia Pritchard
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Explore South Australia’s stunning Limestone Coast at an affordable price with these family-friendly caravan park options.

Mount Gambier is the second-biggest city in South Australia, but it (and Mount Gambier’s caravan parks) is widely underrated as a holiday destination. Located on the breathtaking Limestone Coast, the Mount Gambier region is a bucket-list-worthy holiday spot to visit, from taking in the lush scenery and epic sinkholes to the famous Blue Lake.

You won’t be short of activities in this wondrous region, from the numerous national parks surrounding the area to exploring the magical caves that seem otherworldly. Mount Gambier is rich with history, while also fast emerging as an exciting wine and food region, so there really is something for everyone.

If you’re road-tripping and looking for affordable and accessible accommodation in the Mount Gambier region, you’re in luck – the region is home to some well-maintained and high-quality holiday parks, suited for travellers and families of all sizes.

1. Pine Country Caravan Park

Pine Country Caravan Park, Mt Gambier
Opt for luxe glamping at Pine Country Caravan Park. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Be one with nature in the tranquil Pine Country Caravan Park. A five-minute drive from Blue Lake and its surrounds, this caravan park is perfect for those who want to embrace the fresh country air and be surrounded by soothing greenery.

The park also takes sustainability seriously, using solar power, water-saving initiatives and recycling green waste. It’s the perfect place to unwind and escape the stress of everyday life.

Accommodation options: Cabins, glamping, ensuite powered sites, powered sites, unpowered camping.
Address: 2-16 Kilsby Rd, Moorak

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2. BIG4 Blue Lake Holiday Park

a huge playground at BIG4 Blue Lake Holiday Park
There is a huge playground for kids. (Image: Zoe Wighton)

Set on 11 hectares of perfectly landscaped gardens, with stunning views of the surrounding valley, the BIG4 Blue Lake park is located, you guessed it, right on top of the iconic Blue Lake.

Pet-friendly with powered and unpowered sites, the holiday park also features a swimming pool, jumping pillow, tennis court, and basketball court. And golfing fans will love the fact that the holiday park backs onto the local golf course, giving you ample time to go out and have a swing.

Accommodation options: Bungalows (three and two-bedroom options), lakeside villa, cabins, ensuite sites, powered site, unpowered site.
Address:  LOT 100 Bay Rd, Mount Gambier

3. Mount Gambier Central Caravan Park

cabins at Central Caravan Park
Settle in a powered cabin at Central Caravan Park.

Located right in the middle of town, close to Aldi, Coles and the Mount Gambier pubs and cafes, the Mount Gambier Central Caravan Park is less than a five-minute drive to Blue Lake, as well as being a quick drive or leisurely stroll to the Umpherston Sinkhole.

With friendly staff always willing to lend a hand, and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s not a park with all the modern bells and whistles, but it’s clean, conveniently located, and known for its competitive rates.

Accommodation options: Cabins (including a three-bedroom superior cabin option), powered site, unpowered site.
Address: 6 Krummel St, Mount Gambier

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4. Limestone Coast Tourist Park

Located in a quieter, more rural setting, Limestone Coast Tourist Park is three kilometres from the centre of Mount Gambier, and within reach of 40 national parks, ancient caves, and surf beaches.

The park provides a fully equipped laundry, undercover BBQs, and a children’s playground. Tourists have touted it favourably, praising the cleanliness and overall affordable price, with all caravan sites also being ensuite sites.

Accommodation options: Deluxe units, family units, and powered sites with an ensuite.
Address: Jubilee Hwy E & Hawkins Rd, Mount Gambier

5. Kalganyi Holiday Park

Situated right at the entrance of Mount Gambier, the park is within a 10-minute drive to the famous Blue Lake and is conveniently located next door to the Mount Gambier Market shopping centre.

The pet-friendly holiday park also features a solar-heated pool, children’s playground, a fully enclosed camp kitchen, and BBQ facilities, as well as a recreation area with table tennis and air hockey tables. It’s perfect for the whole family and keep an eye out for the friendly possums at night.

Accommodation options: Deluxe cabins, standard cabins, ensuite powered site, and powered site.
Address: Penola Rd & Bishops Road, Mount Gambier

If you’re looking to break up your Mount Gambier stay and try something different, make sure to check out our list of unique accommodation you can only find in Mount Gambier.

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Tahlia Pritchard

Tahlia Pritchard

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8 experiences to get the most out of Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
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    Beyond the winding bitumen and coastal views lies another side to Victoria’s most famous route.

    There’s something hypnotic about this stretch of Victoria’s coast. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the ocean so tightly, or how the cliffs catch the sun in colours you can’t name. Or, for local Victorians who drove this route as kids, maybe it’s the memories of winding through the impossibly tall trees as they seemingly guide you on your journey like wooden guardian angels. Most travellers know it for the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road equally as worthy of your time.

    So, next time you’re in that neck of the woods, park that car, stretch those legs and try these experiences.

    1. Discover living culture at Budj Bim

    Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism
    Walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Breakaway Creek’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is a masterclass in educational storytelling. Join a guided tour with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism to walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system, where the Gunditjmara people built sophisticated eel traps and stone channels more than 6,000 years ago.

    Budj Bim’s aquaculture system predates Egypt’s pyramids by roughly 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of human engineering on Earth. If that’s not enough to get your history-loving family members involved in this road trip, we’re out of ideas.

    2. Unwind in the hot springs at Warnambool

    woman relaxing at Deep Blue Hot Springs
    Let mineral-rich water heal you.

    If your legs need a break after a long drive, Deep Blue Hot Springs is your remedy. The geothermal pools sit just metres from the coastline, filled with mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep underground. Move between open-air baths, waterfall pools and quiet zones made for meditation.

    The water in Deep Blue’s geothermal pools comes from an ancient aquifer nearly 850 metres below the Earth’s surface, which, in non-scientific terms, means it’s far more likely to have healing properties than the mineral water you’d find at the supermarket.

    3. Take to the air at Princetown

    12 Apostles Helicopters flight alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road
    See an icon from a different view.

    You may have seen the Twelve Apostles from the trusty viewing platform, but a helicopter flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters shows you just how sprawling and rugged this coastline really is.

    The trip covers everything from Port Campbell to London Bridge (not to be confused with the UK’s own), giving you a rare chance to watch waves carving the limestone cliffs from above. It’s worth noting that the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles are said to erode by roughly two centimetres each year, so the longer you leave it, the less of the Apostles you’ll see.

    4. Step into the past at Flagstaff Hill

    Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum
    Visit a time of yore.

    Continue the tour through Warnambool at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum, a recreated 19th-century port town. Hear stories from the days when shipwrecks were as common as seagulls, with an astounding 180 ships believed to have sunk along the Shipwreck Coast in less than five years.

    The night show, complete with lights, sound, and sea spray, brings the coastline’s most dramatic stories to life.

    If you’re staying the night, Simon’s Waterfront offers relaxed dining with fresh local seafood and oceanfront views. Order the catch of the day and toast to the sailors who never made it ashore.

    5. Learn to surf in Torquay, Lorne, or Anglesea

    kid having a lesson with Go Ride A Wave
    Learn how to hang 10. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    Whether you’ve surfed before or can barely stand on a board, Go Ride A Wave will have you upright in no time. Torquay’s calm beaches are ideal for first-timers, while Lorne and Anglesea bring a bit more energy for those unafraid to get dunked.

    Bells Beach, just down the road from Torquay, has even hosted the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition since 1962. So, for those eager to have a gander at pros using surfboards like they’re an additional appendage, the competition usually runs sometime in autumn.

    6. Tackle the trails in Forrest

    Barwon Flow Trails Otways Flow MTB
    Hire a bike and explore MTB trails through the Otways.

    Forrest is a haven for mountain bikers thanks to an expansive network of trails through stunning natural scenery. The Forrest trail network has almost 100 kilometres of singletrack across 36 trails, so there’s something for every level of rider. That’s including more than 60 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through the Otways’ dense forest. Cycle through ancient myrtle beech trees and towering tree ferns, with smaller ferns and soft mosses forming a carpet at your feet.

    Hire a bike from Forrest MTB Hire and take your pick from easy, scenic rides to more challenging singletracks, such as Red Carpet or Rollercoaster.

    7. See wildlife up close in Apollo Bay

    bush rat on Wildlife Wonders tour
    Get help spotting the locals. (Image: Doug Gimsey)

    If spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild feels like winning the lottery, Wildlife Wonders gives you guaranteed sightings without cages or crowds. Every visit to the sanctuary helps fund the Conservation Ecology Centre which supports endangered species across the Otways, so your business is appreciated by humans and animals alike.

    The guided walk takes you through protected Otways habitat where you might spot potoroos (or joey lookalikes for those unfamiliar with a potoroo), wallabies, and sleepy koalas lounging in the trees.

    8. Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

    Cape Otway Lightstation
    Delve into the tales of Cape Otway Lightstation.

    Towering over the sea on a cliff above the Southern Ocean, Cape Otway Lightstation has been guiding ships since 1848. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Otway was one of the most treacherous points on the Victorian coast, with dozens of shipwrecks occurring in its surrounding waters. Pick the right day, and you may bump into a local willing to tell you about the wreck of Eric the Red.

    While at the Cape Otway Lightstation, explore the keeper’s quarters, walk the coastal trails, and take in views that only stop short at the horizon.

    And no, contrary to popular belief, the Round the Twist lighthouse is actually located in Split Point, just shy of two hours in the direction of Melbourne. Nothing’s stopping you from embarking on a lighthouse crawl, though.

    Plan your next no-stone-unturned journey along this iconic Aussie road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.