The Limestone Coast offers families many diverse things to do, places to see and adventures to be experienced. Here are five of our favourite ones.

The Blue Lake in Mount Gambier

The Blue Lake in Mount Gambier is definitely a favourite for visitors young and old to the Limestone Coast. It is breathtakingly beautiful, with a rich and vibrant cobalt blue colour from December to March that will captivate you.

The crater which now forms the Blue Lake, was created from a volcanic eruption through the limestone about 5000 years ago, although this has been debated and some say it may have been as long as 28,000 years ago.

The lake measures 1200 metres x 824 metres and it reaches 75 metres in depth, so it is vast. The Blue Lake Walking Trail is a 3600 kms walk around the perimeter of the lake that is dotted with viewing platforms through valleys, craters and tunnels. The walk is fairly flat and takes about an hour.

The Umpherston Sinkhole

The Umpherston Sinkhole also previously called the Sunken Garden, was a limestone cave formed by the corrosion from the seawater, and became a sinkhole when the roof collapsed and is a must see destination on the Limestone Coast.

It was made into a stunning garden by James Umpherston in 1886 and it is open from dawn to dusk every day. You will appreciate its size and depth from the various viewing platforms, terraces and walking paths. You can even walk behind the hanging gardens along the terraces.

Along the floor of the sinkhole, which is accessible by foot, is a beautiful display of local flora and fauna. At dusk the possums like to interact with visitors.

Naracoorte Caves

The Naracoorte Caves are a world heritage listed site and one of the world’s most important fossil sites.

For more than 500,000 years, layers upon layers of fossils have created this truly amazing system of 28 caves, of which 4 are open to the public. A spectacular family experience, they offer self-guided, guided and adventure caving tours all year round.

The Naracoorte Caves and the Riversleigh fossil site in far north Queensland, form the UNESCO Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage Area and are among the world’s 10 greatest fossil sites. They both have a significant fossil record of the evolution of Australia’s unique animal heritage.

Piccaninne Ponds – for the more adventurous

If you and the family are up for a more adventurous experience, the Piccaninne Ponds are a popular and stunning fresh water snorkelling and scuba-diving site.

The ponds are known for their crystal clear waters filtering through the natural limestone for thousands of years, which has eroded limestone creating two amazing caverns to snorkel or dive – The Chasm and The Cathedral. You can easily snorkel across the Chasm with great visibility below.

Piccaninnie Ponds is recognised as a wetland of international importance. On land, you can stroll along the beach and see the freshwater springs bubbling up onto the sand.

There are many species of fish including the short finned eel, southern pigmy perch and Yarra pigmy perch and more than 60 species of birds and mammals.

You must purchase a permit at National Parks SA prior to arriving at the Piccaninnie Ponds which is $14 per person for a 60 minute snorkel/dive.

Engelbrecht Cave and Cafe

The Limestone Coast has a vast underground system of tunnels and caves formed by the erosion of the limestone layer over thousands of years. Some of these caves are accessible to everyone, and some only to professional divers.

Another must do activity for the family and right in the middle of Mount Gambier, is the Engelbrecht Cave which is visually beautiful with dry cave formations. It is accessible to the general public and a 45 minute guided walking tour will take you into the sink hole through to two separate caverns and an underground lake.

Then you can stop at the café for a coffee and well deserved treats! Please check their website for opening hours and weather and seasons can affect opening times.

Call the Kingston Foreshore Caravan Park to book your next holiday in Kingston or Robe

There are many more things to do on the Limestone Coast with the family. We are more than happy to suggest ways to make your holiday itinerary interesting to all family members so that you want to come back and visit again! Call us today on (08) 8767 2050 or book online for your next holiday to Robe or Kingston SE in South Australia.