Mount Gambier
Mount Gambier is a town of 23,282 people [2001 census] which is, after Adelaide, the largest population centre in South Australia, it was named for Admiral James Gambier.
Located in the Lower South East region at latitude 37.84°S, longitude 140.77°E, Mount Gambier is approximately five hours drive from both Adelaide and Melbourne and presents an ideal stop for travellers between these capital cities.
The town's major industries are forestry, trucking and tourism.
A main draw card is its location upon the slopes of an extinct volcano of the same name, comprising several craters. One of these craters contains a vast lake of pure artesian drinking water which mysteriously changes with the seasons from winter grey to a shimmering azure blue, giving rise to its name the Blue Lake.
Another crater contains a water skiing lake, scenic picnic grounds and a wildlife walk, all facilities free to the public and enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.
Within a half hour drive one can find the wineries of Coonawarra, underground caves, pine plantation tours, shipwreck beaches, excellent river fishing, and spring-fed ponds for scuba diving or snorkelling.