The Perfect 3-Day Mount Gambier Itinerary

As this action-packed three-day itinerary around Mount Gambier shows, there are unlimited experiences to be had in this one location.

Mount Gambier is the sort of place where young adventurers, craggy outdoorsmen, family road trippers and intrepid explorers all have an equally great old time. Residents of the Mount Gambier region have the place wired, which is why our three-day itinerary allows visitors to experience the region as locals do.

Located almost smack-bang between Adelaide and Melbourne on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, Mount Gambier has got it all: caves, volcanoes, lakes, ocean, wildlife, quirky accommodation, fantastic food and world-class wineries. We suggest you pick and choose and wander at your own pace.

Admire the seascape at Port MacDonnell. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

Day one

Kickstart your day exploring Mount Gambier’s famous Blue Lake, before submerging yourself in the crystal-clear waters of the Kilsby Sinkhole or Little Blue Lake. The Riddoch Arts Centre will appeal to all culture lovers, and shoppers will adore Charlicks Bazaar and all its hidden treasures. And don’t fret, we’ve got all your Mount Gambier cafe and pub recommendations covered below.

swimming at Little Blue Lake — Take a dip in Little Blue Lake (Image: Trent John Martin)

7am: Brekkie at Bay Blue Espresso Bar

The Bay Blue Espresso Bar is a specialty espresso bar located on the main drag to the Blue Lake. The Scandi-styled space is the perfect place to fuel up on coffee and a toastie dubbed ‘The Mostie’ stuffed with house-crumbed chicken, crispy bacon, tomato, cheese and lettuce.

a hand holding a cup of cafe latte in Bay Blue Espresso Bar, Mount Gambier — Fuel up on coffee at Bay Blue Espresso Bar.

8.30am: Walk around the Blue Lake

Ask one of the friendly lycra-clad locals for the lowdown on the Blue Lake Circuit and they’ll tell you to start the 40-minute 3.6-kilometre hike at Pioneer Memorial and to stop at Rotary Lookout. The wide crater lake turns a brilliant sapphire blue over the warmer months, resembling a precious gem set into the landscape.

an aerial view of Blue Lake, Mount Gambier — Stroll around the sapphire-blue waters of Blue Lake. (Image: Jaxon Foale)

10am: Snorkel at The Kilsby Sinkhole

Continue your exploration of Mount Gambier’s natural attractions at Kilsby Sinkhole . Rated as one of the best sinkhole dive sites in the world, this spectacular hole in the ground welcomes free divers, snorkellers and scuba divers. The crystal-clear waters inspired the creation of Sinkhole Gin, which you can sample in situ, after deep-diving in the limestone-clad chamber.

The Kilsby Sinkhole Mount Gambier — Follow the light down the Kilsby Sinkhole. (Image: Jessie Cripps)

Noon: Explore The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre

Loved by arty locals, the architecturally inspired The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre includes a large collection of 20th-century Australian art. Don’t miss the daily screenings of Volcano, The story of Earth, Fire and Water, about how the elements helped shape the Kanawinka region. The art gallery’s shop is also worth a squiz.

a mother and her daughter wandering inside Riddoch Art Gallery, Mount Gambier — Marvel at the art collections inside The Riddoch Arts & Cultural Centre. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

1pm: Lunch at Presto Eatery

Taste some of the best ingredients the Mount Gambier region has to offer (from the likes of Robe Dairy Labneh; Rise of Robe Sourdough; The Splendid Egg ) at Presto Eatery , housed in a refreshed heritage shopfront in the centre of the city. If you’re here for one of the cult favourites, you will be forced to choose between bacon benedict or avocado smash.

3pm: Drop into Mount Gambier Visitor Centre

One of the star attractions at the family-friendly Mount Gambier Visitor Centre is the life-size replica of the 60-tonne sailing vessel, the Lady Nelson, which was commissioned in 1799 to sail along the coastline of South Australia. In addition to discovering the fate of the tall ship, visitors to the centre learn about local geology and Indigenous history.

4pm: Enjoy a shopping spree

Charlicks Bazaar on Margaret Street is a great place to forage for treasures. The antique store housed in a rustic shed sells everything old, new, and unusual: think vintage platters, ’70s lampshades, kitsch coffee pots and creepy ceramic clowns. On a weekender with the girls? Bounce between the boutiques along Commercial Street East.

Check out these Matryoshka wooden dolls at Charlicks Bazaar.

5pm: Check into Old Mount Gambier Gaol

It’s time to check in: go directly to the Gaol. Pass through the forbidding gates of the Old Mount Gambier Gaol and you will be relieved to find a friendly atmosphere at this former prison. If you don’t want to be confined to a double cell, posh it up at The Cottage where the prison warden once lived. And forget about eating prison slop; the former gaol has its own BBQ facilities and is a short walk from Commercial Street.

6pm: Pub grub at Mount Gambier Hotel

Spot the giant G emblazoned on the side of Mount Gambier Hotel and then follow the lines of locals to the pub that has been a perennial favourite since it was established in 1862. With its warm wooden floors and off-white interiors, the revitalised pub (known as ‘the G’) is an excellent place to sequester yourself for a few hours. Order the wagyu beef schnitzel served with a baked spud and salad.

a table-top view of the set menu at Mount Gambier Hotel — Choose from a wide variety of dishes at Mount Gambier Hotel.

8pm: View the light show at Cave Garden

The air is cooler near the Cave Garden , which is an altogether surreal place that is equally as striking as the Big and Little Blue Lakes, but with a tonal shift toward crayon green on the colour scale. At night, coloured lights make the eerily haunting cave formations shimmer and shift and the cave becomes a flowing narrative about the Indigenous Dreamtime.

Day two

Start the morning with an exercise endorphin boost, before indulging in Mount Gambier’s most famous cinnamon scrolls. Thrill-seekers will love donning a wetsuit to dive in Engelbrecht Cave, while those looking for more subdued activities can hike or bike along the Crater Lakes trail, or enjoy a hit of golf at Mount Gambier Golf Club.

6am: Walk along the Mount Gambier Rail Trail

Join locals jogging and cycling along the Mount Gambier Rail Trail that runs like a parallelogram to the former railway line that slices through the centre of the City of Mount Gambier. Chug along the family-friendly 7.42-kilometre path to the nature play area, wetlands and picnic area.

8am: Roll into ScRoll Queen

After burning off a few calories along the Rail Trail, roll into ScRoll Queen for a Tim Tam Scroll or cream-filled Lamington Scroll. Wash these sticky temptations down with a cup of coffee from Badenochs Deli next door. Those who prefer savoury will lean toward the BBQ salami scroll from ScRoll Queen or the bacon and egg roll from Badenochs.

sweets from ScRoll Queen, Mount Gambier — Pop into ScRoll Queen if you’re obsessed with cinnamon rolls. (Image: Dylan McQueen)

10am: Follow the Sinkhole Trail

Whether you’re donning a wetsuit for a dive in Engelbrecht Cave, leaping in for a swim at the Little Blue Lake, or admiring nature’s vertical gardens clinging to the walls of Umpherston/Balumbul Sinkhole, the subterranean network of lava caves, an array of sinkholes and lakes are a must-see in Mount Gambier. You can also personalise your own tour of these geological wonders.

Admire the lush foliage surrounding Umpherston Sinkhole. (Image: Offroad Images)

Noon: Lunch at Nalou Kitchen

Garlic prawns, pumpkin, BBQ chicken and bacon are among the creative pizza toppings at Nalou Kitchen . The lunch menu is also dominated by burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Our pick: the pulled pork yiros with slow-roasted BBQ pork, slaw, BBQ sauce, and a serving of beer battered chips.

a caramelised beef burger with fries at Nalou Kitchen, Mount Gambier — Grab a huge bite of Nalou Kitchen’s caramelised beef burger. (Image: Nalou Kitchen)

1pm: Bike around Crater Lakes Trail

Hike or bike through spectacular scenery along the rim of the high plateau that peers into the gaping mouths of craters that have been carved out in slow motion by the elements. Trace the curves of the crater in an anti-clockwise direction from Mark’s Lookout, Lions Lookout or Rotary Clubs Lookout along the Crater Lakes Trail . Note: the 4.2-kilometre track is not a defined path and includes steep inclines and stairs. It can take about 1.5 hours to complete.

a couple sitting on a bench with a young girl jogging on the side of Blue Lake, Mount Gambier — Run, walk or bike around the Crater Lakes Trail. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

3pm: Fish at Port MacDonnell

One of the favourite local meditative pastimes in the Mount Gambier region is fishing at Port MacDonnell at the jetty, breakwater or boat ramp. Expect to haul in everything from King George whiting and squid to tommy ruff and silver trevally.

Young adventurers or intrepid explorers can also take a 4WD to Browns Beach, which is another hotspot for fishing right from the beach. Get the heads-up about where to cast a line from the plaid-clad lads at Spot On Fishing in Mount Gambier.

Port MacDonnell, Mount Gambier — Fish off the dramatic coastline of Port MacDonnell. (Image: Adam Bruzzone)

6pm: Hit a round of twilight golf

Energetic types might just be able to squeeze in a cheeky round of nine holes before twilight at the Mount Gambier Golf Club or Blue Lakes Public Golf Links , where the only downside is that the scenic surrounds might put you off your putting. The golf courses around Mount Gambier take advantage of the undulating landscape and are challenging for both novices and practised golfers.

8pm: Check into the Commodore on the Park

After checking into your executive spa suite at the Commodore on the Park , you can sashay down to the hotel restaurant that keeps its food miles to a minimum, sourcing most of its produce from the Limestone Coast and wines from the Coonawarra. Before retiring to your room, check out what’s on offer at the hotel’s whisky bar.

a hand holding a spoon to get a piece of cake at Commodore on the Park — You’re in for a treat at Commodore on the Park. (Image: Louise Agnew)

Day three

Start your day right with a big breakfast feast at Metro Bakery, before really treating yourself with a cellar door crawl. The afternoon sun calls for a snorkel at the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park, before unwinding and celebrating your Mount Gambier long weekend with cocktails at Macs Hotel.

8am: Brekkie at Metro Bakery and Cafe

A big day calls for a big breakfast and by big, we mean whopping. The Metro Big Breakfast comes with free-range eggs, bacon, beef sausages, baked lima beans, garlic buttered mushrooms, rosti and sourdough toast. Finish up with great coffee roasted by Melbourne’s Lygon St legend, Giancarlo Giusti at this sleek meeting place.

a breakfast meal at Metro Bakery & Cafe, Mount Gambier — Treat yourself to a hearty brekky at Metro Bakery & Cafe.

9am: Go on a cellar door crawl

There are more than 40 cellar doors to choose from across the broader wine region of the Limestone Coast. Keep it simple and check off Caroline Hills Winery and the appointment-only Herbert Vineyard .

Herbert Vineyard, Mount Gambier — Try the signature wines at Herbert Vineyard.

Noon: Lunch at Foodie Bar

With an array of delicious options, Foodie Bar is one of Mount Gambier’s eating gems. While you can devour a burger, schnitty, or a sandwich, we’d recommend giving their Sri Lankan-style menu a try to really treat the tastebuds. Whether it’s the Sri Lankan hot butter cuttlefish or their signature kottu roti, the only hard part will be making a decision!

3pm: Snorkel at Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park

The locals in Mount Gambier are in tune with the moods of the city’s many sinkholes and lakes and often inaugurate a quick snorkel or swim into their weekend activities. Walk through the coastal wattle and beard heath to get to the Piccaninnie Ponds where you can dive down into the eerie 100m depths of The Chasm and enclosed Cathedral, which has a depth of 35 metres.

diving Piccaninnie Ponds — Swim to the depths of Piccaninnie Ponds. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

6pm: Barbecue dinner at the Valley Lakes

Pop into Five Star Seafood in Port MacDowell to pick up some seafood and a few beers and head to Valley Lakes, which has free gas barbecues and covered shelters. After an easy 1.6-kilometre pre-prandial amble around Leg of Mutton Lake, visit the picturesque conservation park, which features native flora and fauna, before finding a patch of grass for your picnic.

8pm: Cocktails at Macs Hotel

Macs Hotel , which was first licensed in 1864, is the place to go on a Sunday evening for happy chatter underscored by songs from the great Australian songbook. Expect a bit of Cold Chisel and some theatrical percussion from the cocktail shaker when you pull up at the bar and ask for something chilled. Stay overnight so you are right in position for posh pub grub and a cold pint for lunch the next day.

the pub interior of The Macs Hotel, Mount Gambier — Swing by The Macs Hotel for classic pub drinks.

This article was originally written by Carla Grossetti and updated by Tahlia Pritchard.

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com