Home of the Blue Lake
I had never been to Mt. Gambier so I added it to my list of places to see when planning a trip to the Southeast of the state. Mt. Gambier's most famous attraction is the Blue Lake, a lake formed in the crater of an extinct volcano. Driving into the town I followed the signs that led to the lake, I then ended up driving around the lake trying to see where the best viewing (and parking!) places are.
There is a walking track that goes around the lake, with the current Covid-19 restrictions it's one way only. (I discovered as I tried to go against the arrow shown!) I ended up stopping at the Rooks Walk and Lookout, and reading the plaque, it had an interesting history in itself. Work on the lookout began in November 1918 and it was all volunteers who helped create the walk and the tower lookout. About 800 labourers were involved who created the wall and wooden lookouts in one day, it was an enormous community effort just after World War I ended. This whole effort was organised by Arthur Rook, a local hotelier. There is an interesting connection with Arthur Rook and the current times as he sadly died of the Spanish flu the following year, and much later the lookout walk was named for him.
I was thrilled to see that the lake was the vivid shade of blue that makes it famous. I'd heard stories of people going and seeing the lake when the colour is more of a dull blue-grey. Having now down some research (after the trip!), the best times to see the bright blue colour is December through to March, then April to November it's more the duller blue-grey colour. Visiting in early December I got the gorgeous blue colour.
The lake is the main source of Mt. Gambier's water supply and the reason for the European settlement on this spot. The historic pumping station is close to the lake and then there's the newer pumping station with the visitor's centre up higher.
As well as the walk around the lake there's also another walk to the nearby Leg of Mutton lake that you can do from the Rook walk and lookout carpark. If you drive around the lake the views of the surrounding countryside from the non-town side of the lake are stunning. Lots of green rolling hillsides.
I decided to forgo the walks as I wanted to check out 2 gardens. One was a garden created in a sinkhole, I was interested to see it! The Umpherston Sinkhole Garden was created by James Umpherston in 1886, at the time the sinkhole was park of his estate. He created this amazing garden, during his lifetime there was water at the bottom of the sinkhole with an island created by higher ground and he was able to row out to it. The water table later dropped and after his death, the garden was neglected, part of the estate was sold and his house demolished. By the late 1970s staff from the government Woods and Forest Department started to cleanup and restore the sinkhole garden and twenty years later it was handed over to the City of Mt. Gambier.
Umpherston Sinkhole Garden
As I really like gardens, especially unusual ones, this garden was a must of my places to see in Mt. Gambier.
There's a large open parkland to walk through as you get to the sinkhole. It's quite stunning to look down into, in early December the hydrangeas were blooming and looked lovely down in the garden. People walk around or picnic on the lawned area, there's a ramp and stairs to go down into the sinkhole.
After James Umpherston died and his estate was divided up, a large part was bought by the local sawmill. (Sadly the part where the house was) The sawmill and the noises of the mill are all in the background as you visit the sinkhole garden, just something to be aware of, it changes the ambiance of a fairytale garden!
After seeing the Umpherston Sinkhole Garden I decided to view another sunken garden, this time one in the centre of the town, called the Cave Gardens.
Cave Gardens
Again the Cave Gardens have been restored to what they had originally been like when they were created during the early 20th century. The gardens can be found just behind the Old Town Hall and Arts centre.
Historic Buildings
Mt. Gambier was quite an affluent town and the historic buildings reflect some of the wealth in the district. There are some substantial historic buildings in the town.
I love a bit of history so went and researched the origins of the convent. In 1880 a group of 24 Irish nuns from the Sisters of Mercy had to leave unrest in Argentina and arrived in Australia. Twelve of them then went to Mt Gambier and established themselves there. The convent was called the St Joseph's Convent of Our Lady of Mercy and the Mercy nuns moved there in 1908.
I love the architecture of Australia's old pubs with the verandahs and the iron lace. I found two in the Mt. Gambier town centre.
Built on the site of the first hotel in Mt. Gambier, Johannes Jens built this version in 1884.
I enjoyed my brief visit to Mt. Gambier and would happily return for a longer visit to experience more of the town and the surrounding area.
Comments
Post a Comment