The fascinating sinkholes in Mount Gambier to visit

Dilvin Yasa Dilvin Yasa
hero media
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

sunlight shines upon a diver underneath the Kilsby Sinkhole
Kilsby Sinkhole is a naturally occurring karst basin. (Image: Adam Stern)

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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Umpherston Sinkhole

a large crater at Umpherston Sinkhole
Subaquatic flora grows abundantly in Umpherston Sinkhole. (Image: Offroad Images)

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?

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Little Blue Lake 

an aerial view of the Little Blue Lake sinkhole in Mount Gambier
Little Blue Lake is situated within a dormant volcanic crater. (Image: Thomas Cowey)

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.

Dilvin Yasa
Dilvin Yasa is a freelance journalist, author and TV presenter whose travels have taken her from the iceberg graveyards of Antarctica to the roaring rapids of Uganda. Always on the lookout for that next unforgettable meal, wildlife moment or 80s-themed nightclub, she is inexplicably drawn to polar destinations despite detesting the cold.
View profile and articles
Close up image of a freshly flame grilled vegetarian halloumi cheeseburger on a wooden counter at an outdoor food market. This burger is loaded with a vegetarian burger meat substitute, fresh salad, melted halloumi cheese and spanish onion and tomato. The burger is sandwiched between glazed buns.
Mt Gambier

7 excellent Mount Gambier restaurants to try now

From a scene-stealing country steakhouse to a fine dining eatery, these are the Mount Gambier restaurants worth visiting. 

Read more
swimming at Little Blue Lake, Mount Gambier
Mt Gambier

The perfect 3-day Mount Gambier itinerary

As this action-packed three-day itinerary around Mount Gambier shows, there are unlimited experiences to be had in this one location.

Read more
the Little Blue Lake sinkhole in Mt Gambier
Mt Gambier

A guide to the magical blue lakes of Mount Gambier

With its vibrant hue, Blue Lake Mount Gambier is celebrated for all the right reasons, but the good news? There’s plenty more where that came from. 

Read more
two people entering Old Mount Gambier Gaol at night
Mt Gambier

Mount Gambier accommodation: An ultimate guide to the very best stays

Searching for the perfect Mount Gambier accommodation? From old gaols and boutique hotels to upscale homes, there’s something for every kind of traveller.

Read more
hero media

Art, wine & fireplaces: 8 reasons Bowral is the ultimate winter getaway

(Credit: Destination NSW)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
    Continue
    The Southern Highlands earns its title as Australia’s top country town in the cooler months, and it’s worth every minute of the 90-minute drive from Sydney.

    Many Sydneysiders head to the Southern Highlands in spring for the tulips. It’s one of the most stunning spring carnivals in Australia. But the ones in the know come to Bowral in winter.

    The first thing you notice at this time of year is the quality of the light. It catches the tangled limbs of the gums and tints the fields, farms and forests a pretty shade of Granny Smith green. And then, a world-class art museum, an impressive network of walking trails, great shops, cosy restaurants and bars and luxury accommodation take centre stage, making Bowral a place you want to linger as the mercury drops.

    Just 90 minutes south of Sydney, a Bowral winter getaway is the coolcation city folk desperately need. Here are eight reasons to pack a good coat and head for the Southern Highlands.

    1. Check in

    aerial of Ardour Milton Park Bowral in winter
    Check in to the gorgeous Ardour Milton Park Bowral. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ardour Milton Park Bowral rises like a hologram in the hazy green light as you turn onto Horderns Road. A $10 million refurbishment of the grand 1910 estate was completed in early 2026, and the beautifully restored hotel now includes 44 guest rooms washed in sage green, cobalt blue and dusty blush. The dining room at Horderns Restaurant continues with a botanical theme – earthy banquettes, floral touches throughout – and a menu that moves with the seasons.

    After enjoying slow-braised Cowra lamb and a second glass of red, move to the Polo Bar, which has a fireplace and views across the estate gardens. Build a grazing board from the dedicated Charcuterie Room and take it outside while the light lasts. If the sky clouds over, use this as your cue to enjoy a next-level spa experience at Èliva.

    2. Hunt for treasure

    couple exploring Dirty Janes bowral
    Find vintage treasures in Dirty Janes. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Winter is the perfect season to lose an afternoon inside Dirty Janes Bowral. Over 1600 square metres of covered space houses 90 individual sellers of everything from mid-century furniture to industrial lighting, antique silverware, vintage clothing and objects whose previous lives you can only imagine. Enjoy a bit of off-the-cuff banter with your fellow fossickers in between searching for that must-have military jacket or vintage silk scarf.

    Around the corner, find the Instagram-famous front door of FoundAntiques, though the real finds are deeper inside. Bring cash, wear comfortable shoes and leave some room in the boot.

    3. Slow down in a beautiful gallery

    kids posing with donald bradman statue in bowral's The Bradman Museum
    Learn about an Aussie legend at The Bradman Museum. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    Ngununggula – meaning ’belonging’ in the language of the Gundungurra First Nations people – is the region’s first dedicated regional gallery, housed inside the sustainably transformed old dairy building at historic Retford Park. The onsite White Cottage Gallery and restored grounds of the former Fairfax estate reward a slow wander. Find a spot to sit in the courtyard filled with rivulets of winter light and enjoy the plaintive call of a currawong carrying across the heritage-listed grounds. It’s one of the best things to do in Bowral.

    Add Bowral Honey Farm for a hands-on harvest experience, then continue into town to the Milk Factory Gallery to admire eclectic works by local artists in a converted industrial space. The Bradman Museum also knocks it out of the park. Australia’s largest dedicated cricket museum sits beside the heritage-listed Bradman Oval, where a young Sir Donald Bradman first picked up a bat.

    4. A taste of France

    table spread at Lucette bowral
    Enjoy a taste of France at Lucette.

    For a taste of France without the airfare, husband-and-wife team Julien and Romy Besnard – of long-loved Franquette Crêperie – have opened Lucette, a French cafe-bistro with Paris-born chef Guillaume Dubois at the helm. Dubois brings serious pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens in France and Sydney’s former two-hatted Monopole, and it shows. Start your day with pastries for breakfast and bookend it with boeuf bourguignon for dinner. The chocolate mousse, freckled with Guerande Salt, is the kind of dish that will make you feel smug about the decision to drive south. Join the Sydneysiders dressed in charcoal coats, boots and black tights who’ve already worked this out; the whole scene is worthy of splicing it into an Instagram reel.

    Francophiles should also be across Julien’s Bowral Brasserie – led by Frenchman Julien Viel, who also found his way to the Southern Highlands and stayed.

    5. Indulge in a tipple

    Centennial Vineyards bowral in winter
    Spend time amongst the local vines. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    The drive to Centennial Vineyards passes through a beautiful woodland idyll, the countryside a fuzz of green all around. Inside the Barrel Room, a tasting flight of cool-climate pinot noir, chardonnay and reserve shiraz viognier flaunts how well the Southern Highlands does winter.

    This is a region that takes its cool-climate wines seriously, and the pinot noir is one of the stars – a gentle, easy-drinking style with red cherry aromas. Follow your tutored cellar door tasting with another glass of wine in the Terrace Bar, which overlooks the vineyard and manicured grounds.

    6. Blend your own gin

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar
    Pop into Millsheds Distillery & Bar. (Credit: Mattia Panunzio)

    Millsheds Distillery & Bar is somewhat of a local secret. The award-winning small-batch operation produces gin, vodka and liqueurs using Australian botanicals and has picked up silver medals at both the London Spirits Competition and International Wine & Spirit Competition. Beyond the tasting paddle, the hands-on blending masterclass – where you design and leave with two bottles of your own custom gin – is the experience to book, while the terrace bar that wraps around the courtyard is a fine place to settle in afterwards.

    7. Go for a walk at dawn

    Switch your phone off sleep mode and set your alarm to early. Mt Gibraltar rises to 864 metres just east of Bowral’s main street and offers the best views in town. You will pass a raggle-taggle bunch of hikers on the way up to the summit, all making the same quiet pilgrimage into the crisp high-altitude air. On a clear morning, the bony ridges of the ranges come into sharp relief against the light. The return loop takes roughly 90 minutes. A flat white in Bowral tastes considerably better after completing one of the scenic walking trails.

    8. Cosy up by the fireplace

    Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel
    Get cosy in the Berida Hotel’s whiskey bar.

    A cosy bar is the perfect complement to winter in Bowral, and there are a few worth committing to. Aspinalls Whisky Bar & Lounge at the Berida Hotel is built for long, languorous evenings. Take a seat beside the fireplace laden with gnarled logs and work your way through a few whiskies and bar bites like Rangers Valley beef tartare, or salt cod and potato croquettes.

    At Hickory’s within Peppers Craigieburn, well-dressed waiters in denim and leather move quietly between tables, and the cosy fireplace in the adjoining guest lounge attracts an Escape to the Country crowd.

    Start planning your Bowral escape at visitsouthernhighlands.com.au.