WA trip winter 2011: Mt. Gambier

Blue Lake.

Monday 5^th September

Mt Gambier has some interesting attractions, crater lakes and sinkholes. Blue Lake is the city’s water supply, we took the 3 klm drive around the lake and stopped at the stunning lookouts for some good photos. The surrounding landscape has tall pine trees, while I’m not sure what is the height above sea level the city is, it reminds me of a high mountainous climate. There are a good number of walking trails all around the lake area, besides Blue Lake there is Valley Lake and a dry lake named Leg of Mutton.

Pumping Station

The sinkholes are caves that have subsided in years gone by and left deep holes. Beautiful gardens have been set out in these formations, we saw Umpherston Sinkhole and Englebrecht Cave today and have left the city one, Cave Gardens until tomorrow, this one is in the middle of the shopping precinct; off the main drag, but just around the corner from a coffee shop!

Umpherston Sinkhole

John at bottowm of sinkhole.

After our coffee we did some shopping and came back to the caravan park. We had a quiet afternoon and I did some washing.

Tuesday 6^th September.

Rain greeted us this morning when we woke. The city shops are a short walk away, we decided to see the Cave Garden and go to the movies. Lucky both are in the same area. It rained off and on all morning, in between the sun came out. There was a hailstorm in the afternoon.

Cave Garden.

At the lookout.

The Cave Garden in surrounded by businesses, something new for us to see. Colourful spring flowers are already budding in the park. John walked down into the garden, a few too many steps for me, I walked to the lookout.