Mount Gambier is a thriving and progressive community, with many attractions and wide range of accommodation, shopping and entertainment surrounded by volcanic craters, lakes, caves, limestone and underground aquifers.
Wander through the Valley Lake/Ketla Malpi crater to see indigenous species of flora and fauna in a free-range environment. With lookouts and nature walks it’s an ideal place for families to enjoy many hours of fun and discovery.
Enjoy the adventure playground, free barbeques or watch the boats out on the lake.
Free entry.
Davison Drive, Mount Gambier.
99 Penola Road, Mount Gambier | 08 8723 2045
Slide, jump, laugh and play at Mount Gambier’s indoor play cafe. With epic slides, arcade games, a flying fox and an ever-changing party room, the Treehouse Adventure Centre is fun for everyone. With a cafe on site, parents can sit back and watch the kids have loads of fun!
7 Percy Street, Mount Gambier | 08 8724 9150
With all of the latest release movies, the Oatmill Cinema is the perfect place to sit back, enjoy some popcorn and relax with the whole family. The word is that their choc tops are the best in the business. Keep an eye out during summer for the Starline Outdoor Cinema at the Railway Lands run by the Oatmill Cinema.
A special place for children to explore and connect with nature. Balance on the rock wall, jump across the stumps, make your way through the web, climb the log pile, balance on the stepping stones in the creek and reach for the sky.
Railway Terrace, Mount Gambier.
Why not explore Mount Gambier’s attractions by bike? Free bike hire is available from the Mount Gambier Visitor Centre, The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre and the Mount Gambier Library. More adventurous riders can explore the mountain trail at the Valley Lakes, ride the BMX track at Hastings Cunningham Reserve, or head to Dimjalla Skate Park.
249 Tollner Road, Compton | 0481 574 663
Experience life on a small pioneer farm and take the self-guided walk to meet the animals. Explore the cottage museum and outbuildings before helping feed some of the animals and pet some of the favourites. There is also a small selection of soft drinks, homemade biscuits, preserves and souvenirs for sale.
Access from Elizabeth Street, Mount Gambier | 08 8723 2045
There’s nothing quite like a family game of ten pin bowling. Test your arm and see how many you can knock down. Check out the new games in the arcade lounge and grab some food at the snack bar while you’re there. It’s all about having fun at Kaboom!
6 Watson Terrace, Mount Gambier | 08 8721 2540
Drawing inspiration from Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds, the cave-themed children’s area of the library is a wondrous experience. Specially designed book shelves, a craft and activity area and an iPad zone makes it an interactive place for families.
Swing, climb and slide at our entertaining playgrounds. The Valley Lakes Recreation Area is home to an incredible adventure playground with wheelchair facilities, the Railway Lands has a nature play area perfect for the little ones and Vansittart Park has a playground you won’t want to miss. There are also other smaller playgrounds around town to explore. Find a full list of playgrounds here.
Open 7 days a week, food court and free parking.
182/248 Penola Rd, Mount Gambier. Phone: 08 8724 8798.
Open 7 days a week with over 40 retailers, food court and free parking.
21 Helen Street, Mount Gambier. Phone: 08 8725 2661.
Mount Gambier's main street is a hive of retail activity featuring many speciality stores, cafes, restaurants and hotels.
Commercial Street East and West.
Cave Garden/Thugi, Watson Terrace
Every Saturday from 9:00am to 12:00pm in the Cave Gardens featuring fresh local produce including fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, cheese, breakfast foods and baked goods.
Operated by Lakes Rotary Club, the Library Market is held on the second Sunday of the month from October to March.
If the Blue Lake/Warwar Circuit walk isn’t on your bucket list, it should be! You can start the walk at any location around the Blue Lake/Warwar, but we recommend starting at the Pioneer Memorial. Make your way around the rim and don’t forget to take the time to stop and enjoy the views of the Lake. The Centenary Tower, the Pumping Station and Mount Schank can be viewed from the Rotary Lookout.
Length: 3.6 km / Duration: Allow 1 hour / Difficulty: Easy
This walk provides magnificent views over this very unique landscape. Begin this walk at Mark’s Lookout, Lions Lookout, or Rotary Clubs Lookout (Potters Point Lookout). Follow the track in an anti-clockwise direction. This walk is not pathed and does involve stairs, inclines, and uneven grounds.
Distance: 4.2 kms / Time: 2 hours / Grade: Moderate
Start this walk at the carpark near the Adam Lindsay Gordon Lookout. Make your way down the access road and follow the loop track around the now dry lake bed. Take your time to enjoy the deep lush green surroundings. Take your camera and capture the natural beauty of the region.
Length: 1.6 km / Duration: Allow 1 hour / Difficulty: Moderate
Start the 1.7 km walk at the car park near the tunnel under the road. Up the steps to the stone 'rest house' then continue up the steps behind the Rook Walk past the surge tank and The Stephen Henty Lookout on the Hoo Hoo Lookout. Follow the markers past the car park, around the eastern side of the ground tank and down the hill towards Keegan Drive. Walking parallel to Keegan Drive, cross the lawns to meet the road at the water tower then follow the direction markers through the park down onto the track to the lowest point of The Saddle. Continue along the top of The Saddle to Mark's Lookout, The Leg of Mutton/Yatton Loo Lookout returning back to the start.
Length: 1.7 km / Duration: 1 hour / Difficulty: Moderate
Begin the 1.2 km walk at the boat ramp at the edge of the Valley Lake/Ketla Malpi, enter the Conservation Park through the main gates. Water birds and animals can be seen at various times of the year. Walk back to the heart of the park. Take the track to the left for views from higher ground or to the right which leads up into the bush land area. Walk quietly in this area as many animals including koalas may be present. Bird life can be seen from the raised boardwalk which provides a closer look at the bush land canopy and views over the park. Follow this track down the hill, over the swamp back to the start of the walk.
Length: 1.2 km / Duration: Allow 45 minutes / Difficulty: Easy
The Mount Gambier Rail Trail follows the old railway line through the centre of the City. The trail is used by cyclists, walkers and runners of all ages, and is a popular choice for travelling from one side of the City to the other, or just for recreation.
Length: 12.4 km / Difficulty: Easy
The City Heritage Walk takes you through the city centre and its historic buildings.
Take in the beauty of Mount Gambier’s Heritage Buildings constructed from local limestone and the unique pink to orange dolomite which is cut from local quarries. Stroll around the Old Town Hall precinct, with its old world charm and the re-developed modern City Hall which overlooks the Cave Garden/Thugi.
Information and images are located on redgum bollards at the front of each building. Vansittart Park Walk includes Mia Mia the home of Dr Wehl, one of the town’s first public schools, some commercial buildings including the first Commercial Bank of South Australia.
Download the City Heritage Walk brochure below.
