A fairly relaxed day today, looking around the sites of Mt Gambier and the region. Mt Gambier is 'the city of craters, lakes, caves and sinkholes' according to the tourist brochures, and it's the second largest city in South Australia, lying halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne. Most tourists come to see the crater lakes area, which I rode around in the morning.The blue lake and the valley lake (bottom picture) are the only lakes remaining that contain water (though one tour guide thought that the valley lake will become dry within the next decade), and they are both impressive. The blue lake is the big drawcard; apparently the water turns a brilliant turquoise colour in the summer due to the surrounding limestone. Mt Gambier gets its water from the blue lake and you can even tour the pumping station. The centenary tower, overlooking browne's lake (dry) and valley lake is worth the short steep walk from the car park.
From the crater lakes I went South towards the coast to Dingley Dell, the former home of the famous poet and horse jockey Adam Lindsay Gordon, who shot himself aged 36. The small restored house was an interesting visit due to the enthusiasm of the owner. From there I took a ride along the coast, having lunch in Port MacDonnell, and then back to Mt Gambier, stopping at Mt Schnack. Mt Schnack is a volcano crater similar to those in Auckland. You have to walk up (30 mins return) to the top to peer into the crater, but time was getting on so I decided against it.
Back in Mt Gambier I had a look at the three city sinkholes: the Engelbrecht cave, the Umpherston sinkhole and the cave gardens. The cave gardens looked particularly idiosyncratic, being located just behind the main road. Then back to the jail for some rest, avoiding the cute inquisitive alpaca that for some unknown reason is tethered outside the building.Riding Distance: 110 kms
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