Fascinating Mount Gambier Sinkholes To Visit

Fancy a swim in a dazzling cobalt waterway, or a stroll around a lush, emerald wonderland? The famous Mount Gambier sinkholes can set the mood for every kind of adventure.

Reykjavik, Naples, Cartago; when you’re yearning to explore a dramatic volcanic landscape, there’s only one destination where the sinkholes – a depression caused by the collapse of the surface layer – are a celebration (particularly in the warmer months): Mount Gambier on South Australia’s spectacular Limestone Coast.

Proving that good things are worth the wait, geologists believe that Mount Gambier’s (justifiably) famous sinkholes are the result of rain on the region’s three fault lines breaking up the huge expanse of limestone, more than 25 million years old, spanning South Australia’s south-east. Water flowing through the limestone has formed 50 sinkholes, with at least 15 of them filled with water.

So, when is the best time to take advantage of Mount Gambier’s sinkholes? While Mount Gambier itself is a treat to visit year-round, aqua babies are best to plan a trip in the warmer months, between November and March, when the water is less biting and the colour morphs from a hue which can fall anywhere from steel grey or garden variety blue to vibrant cobalt. The good news? Whether you hire a car and drive to each spot (easily done since most of the major holes are located within a 20-minute drive of one another) or book a tour, there’s the perfect sinkhole experience for every kind of traveller, including these tourism-heavy hitters.

Kilsby Sinkhole

Will it be snorkelling, scuba diving, free diving or a sinkhole tour of the training site for the South Australian Police? At Kilsby Sinkhole , located on a sheep farm among the rolling grasslands of Moorak just 14 kilometres south of Mount Gambier, you can choose all of the above.

Out here, where it’s not unusual for people to show up in mermaid outfits for the ultimate photoshoot, water clarity has drawn people to the site for decades, the giant chasm descending 65 metres and allowing up to 50 metres (most days) visibility for scuba drivers and freedivers, and pristine water clarity for those who prefer to frolic towards the surface. 50-minute guided tours cover the sinkhole’s fascinating history and geology – a real hit with the kids.

a diver facing the light as it passes through the water under Kilsby Sinkhole — It’s a stunning sight when the sun rises over Kilsby Sinkhole. (Image: Adam Stern)

Snorkelling tours run for two hours, complete with a safety briefing and under the supervision of a snorkel supervisor, while those interested in diving and freediving can book a licensed operator to help their dream come true.

Kilsby Sinkhole is a privately owned site, thus, all visits must be pre-booked online. The good news? They now offer a range of two-bedroom luxury villas at a surprisingly affordable price point, so you can take advantage of the sinkhole (and its surrounds) day after day.

Umpherston Sinkhole

In the middle of Mount Gambier’s city streets, a lush, subterranean oasis blooms some 20 metres deep in a natural well providing cool respite for those who want to escape those blazing days, but don’t much fancy getting wet.

Named after its designer James Umpherston who designed this urban botanic garden in the late 1800s, Umpherston Sinkhole/Balumbul (one of the most photographed locations on the Limestone Coast) was once a cave formed through the dissolution of the limestone, becoming a sinkhole only after the top of its chamber collapsed and its topsoil provided the perfect environment on which flora to grow.

lush greenery at Umpherston Sinkhole — Stroll through the enchanting vines. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone)

Now it’s best described as a gateway to a secret world filled with hanging vines and terraces, the depth and scale of which is best enjoyed from the viewing platforms before taking a walk down to the bottom to view the hydrangeas (but only after grabbing an ice cream or coffee from the onsite kiosk). Yep, at Umpherston Sinkhole, it’s all about walking and observing.

Beautiful any time of day, locals swear by a visit at dusk when the friendly locals, the Umpherston possums, come out to greet their visitors. Why not stick around and make use of the free barbecue area?

Little Blue Lake

Disregard its name; Little Blue Lake is actually a sinkhole with a difference: the ability to change colour like a mood ring so that the steel grey it rocks throughout the winter months transforms into a vibrant cobalt blue come the summertime (November to March). It’s all thanks to a phenomenon caused by the formation of calcite crystals warmed by the rays of the sun.

Located in the Kanawinka volcanic area, wedged between the two (mercifully) dormant volcanoes of Mount Gambier and Mount Schank, follow the campervans making a line to Little Blue Lake, which is conveniently situated in a paddock by the highway.

a diving platform above the milky turquoise waters of Little Blue Lake, Mount Gambier — Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake transforms into milky turquoise between November and March. (Image: Lucy Adamopoulos)

With a 47-metre depth, plus a diameter of 40 metres, the lake is what you might call bracing – a fact locals love and visitors quickly get used to as they enter the sinkhole via the stairs or ramp. Your best bet? Warm up beforehand or afterwards by lying out in the sun, or by enjoying a picnic (you’ll have to bring your own provisions). Just beware that there are no public amenities, so best to use the bathroom before you depart from your accommodation.

Got plenty of time in and around Mount Gambier up your sleeve and are keen to experience further sinkholes? Be sure to also put Ewens Ponds, Hell’s Hole and Caroline Sinkhole on your list.

Wanting to explore the rest of Mount Gambier? Follow our guide for awe-inspiring things to do in Mount Gambier.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .

The fascinating sinkholes in Mount Gambier to visit