| Mount
Gambier - In 1800 Lieutenant James Grant sighted an
extinct volcano and named it Mount Gambier. The city 460 km
SE of Adelaide, is in the centre of the largest softwood pine
plantation in the Commonwealth and surrounded by rich farming,
horticulture, viticulture and dairy country. The Hentys built
the first dwelling here in 1841. The white Mount Gambier stone
used in most buildings, together with fine parks and gardens,
make an attractive environment. In town: Historic buildings:
town hall (1862), Commercial St; Old Post Office (1865), Bay
Rd; many old hotels. Heritage walks, leaflets available. Open
caves: Cave Garden, Bay Rd; Umpherston Sinkhole, Jubilee Hwy
East; Engelbrecht Cave, Jubilee Hwy (tours). Old Courthouse
Law and Heritage Centre, Bay Rd, a National Trust museum. Lewis'
Museum, Pick Ave. In Jubilee Hwy East: the Lady Nelson Visitor
and Discovery Centre, has full-scale replica of Lady Nelson
as part of centre's structure; Dimjalla Park, fun park. Riddoch
Art Gallery in complex of 19th century buildings, Commercial
St East. Market, each Sat., Fletcher Jones Complex. Feb.: Country
Music Festival. May: Generations in Jazz. Dec.: Carols by Candlelight.
In the area: Christmas Lights drive, map available. On the outskirts
of town: crater lakes, particularly Blue Lake (average depth
70 m), which changes from sombre winter blue to brilliant turquoise
each Nov. then reverts at end of summer; scenic 5-km drive offers
lookouts, wildlife reserve, picnic areas and boardwalks; Pumping
Station at Blue Lake, daily tours down through pumping station
to lake level. Timber mill tours; bookings essential. Blue Lake
Papermill 2 km E, in Pollard Close, traditional paper-making
(tours). Tarpeena Fairy Tale Park, 22 km N on Penola Rd. Glencoe
Woolshed (1863), 23 km NW, National Trust building (open Sun.
p.m. or by appt). Haig's Vineyard, 4 km S. Mount Schank, 17
km S, excellent views of surrounding district from summit. Glenelg
River cruises from Nelson (Vic.), 36 km SE; tours of spectacular
Princess Margaret Rose Cave. Several gardens in area, details
from information centre. Visitor information: Lady Nelson Visitor
and Discovery Centre, Jubilee Hwy East; (08) 8724 9750. Web
site www.mountgambiertourism.com.au |
