Mount Gambier Caves, Sinkholes, Volcanoes Adventure

We leave Adelaide in our comfy bus around 7:00am on the South East Freeway. Heading, well South East of course through towns such as Tailem Bend where morning tea awaits.

We continue on to the World Heritage Naracoorte Caves for your Victoria Fossil Cave Megafauna Experience. Recently developed in 2022, this audio visual experience re-creates the movements and scale of some of the megafauna species who inhabited this land. If you would prefer to stay above ground, there is a choice of short walks for you to enjoy. We lunch here at the caves.

Next we call in on a gorgeous winery ‘Brand’s Laira’ for tastings of cab sav and shiraz. Soaking in the beautiful aspect of vines and landscapes of the Coonawarra from the raised deck.

Leaving the cellar door its less than an hour further south to our destination, Mount Gambier. Our base for the next 3 nights. Here, we visit the Umpherston sinkhole, check in to our accommodation at ‘The Commodore’ and get ready for dinner. From our dinner location, we will visit the Cave Gardens in the main street lit up at night.

Meals Included: Lunch, Trail Snacks, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 1km

You can join us for an optional sunrise adventure this morning on the highest point in town or have a leisurely start before breakfast. From the high point you will see not just the Valley Lake but also the Blue Lake known for its vivid colour and reflection.

After breakfast we hit the road, firstly to get suited up in our full wetsuits, then on to Port McDonnell. This coastal town is where you are Welcomed to Boandik Country. The Boandik people were the first inhabitants of this area and have much to share with us.

Nearby is spectacular Ewens Ponds. Snorkel and drift through all three sinkholes and witness an underworld of life with the freshest water on earth. You will enjoy Ewens Ponds immediately after it’s annual 3 month park closure. So the water is clean and the plant and aquatic life thriving.

It’s time to warm up once out of the water. We travel to Mt Schank and get up onto the rim of this dormant volcano to take in the views and size of this little cone volcano. Last erupting 5000 years ago this is Australia’s youngest volcano.

We return to Mt Gambier for a BBQ dinner by the lake as the sun sets.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Trail Snacks, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 4km

After a good night’s rest, we drive over the border to Nelson where the gorgeous Glenelg River flows through to the ocean. This little town is a popular spot for fishing and boating either by motor or by paddle. It is a gateway to the Lower Glenelg National Park. We head deep into the Park and launch the kayaks.

We paddle for a relaxing 8km passing manna gums, stringy barks and blackwood. Bird spotting here may bring sighting of gang gang cockatoos, ravens, wrens, fantails, kookaburras, owls, black duck and shelduck (plus more).

Reaching our destination, we enjoy a fresh lunch on the banks of the Glenelg River. Re-energised, we prepare for our hike along the Great South West Walk trail. The section of trail you walk is shaded, quiet and not commonly used by day walkers. Allowing good opportunities to spot wildlife such as frog, echidna, wallaby, koala and emu. Making this a mindful and nature immersive experience, with gorgeous views of the river below.

After a full day of action, we return to our accommodation and dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Trail Snacks, 2 Course Dinner
Walking Distance: 8km

Our morning is a relaxing one if you choose. If you need your sleep or space you can take it easy and stay under the covers.

If you want to insert one last immersive nature experience, head out at sunrise for a therapeutic nature therapy experience near the lakes or get the heart rate up with a trail run.

Your drive home is coastal today and all about recovery and relaxation. Our first stop is Beachport, where we climb down the dunes for a relaxing swim in the ocean. The bay is protected by a reef bringing protective waters for a swim. Then, a short walk takes you to the Pool of Siloam. Known for its incredibly high salt content (7 times higher than the ocean) and it’s healing potential. We float here and enjoy morning tea. There is a shower at the Pool of Siloam for one last wash off before we head to Robe for lunch. This coastal town has many little eateries to choose from, catering to every taste.  (If Pool of Siloam is not accessible, an alternative swim/body surf at Long Beach Robe will be offered).

Following the Coorong, with pink lakes and tall sand dunes to admire, we journey home. Rewarded by the opportunity to experience connection to this beautiful part of SA (and Victoria), on your Mount Gambier Adventure.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Walking Distance: 1km

We grade the overall walking on this itinerary as MODERATE
(see our grading system)

This grading is provided as general advice only, and is based on our assessment and also feedback from past participants. Please consider your level of fitness and experience in regard to this rating, and if you’re unsure please contact us for more information

10 REASONS TO GO WITH US

Realistic Itineraries
we want you to love and be inspired by the Limestone Coast. This tour itinerary is well-designed and realistic, allowing you to complete the full itinerary ….. we don’t over sell and under deliver

Be Fulfilled
this itinerary is designed to maximise your awe and leave you fulfilled. You experience all the highlights including venturing underground at the World Heritage Naracoorte Caves and Umpherston sinkhole, visit the Coonawarra for tastings of cab sav and shiraz, a welcome to Boandik Country, drift and snorkel Ewens Ponds, climb the youngest volcano in Australia, and kayak and hike along the Glenelg River. We’ve planned this itinerary so you get the full experience and time to relax ….. you won’t leave feeling unfulfilled

Nature Connection
we want you to feel de-stressed and re-energised. So, our guides are also nature facilitators with skills to immerse you with your surrounds. Not only do we guide and share our knowledge, we also provide invitations for you to slow down and connect deeper with nature (included activities such as an introduction to Ocean Ecotherapy ) <learn more about Ocean Ecotherapy here> ….. we’re pioneers of active adventure with deep nature immersion

Group Fitness
we want you to succeed and maximise your enjoyment, so group chats online are provided leading up to your adventure (included as part of the tour price). These will assist you to meet your guides and other group members, ask questions on what to expect, receive advice on the activities, destination, and gauge your level of fitness ….. we invest in your preparation

Meaningful Moments
we will bring your Limestone Coast experience alive ….. interstate companies can’t do this as well as a local South Australian tour operator like us

Flexibility (2 guides)
our departures have 2 experienced guides. Having 2 guides means we can better cater for group dynamics and individual needs. Factors such as sickness, injuries and incidents can mean changes to the itinerary become necessary, and if there was only 1 guide then these changes will impact on your expectations and your level of enjoyment ….. avoiding this is why we always have 2 guides

Safety
our wilderness trained guides from Adelaide carry comprehensive group first-aid kits, satellite communication devices, and safety equipment. In addition, safety procedures are in place, and constant communication is undertaken with local emergency services. There isn’t mobile phone coverage along sections of this trip ….. so for your safety, we always have multiple communication devices

Timing
we go at the best time of the year for comfortable conditions. We can’t guarantee perfect weather everyday, but you can book with confidence 

Small Groups
a maximum of 10 only on each departure. Meaning, it’s better for the environment, and you won’t feel like you’re just a number in the crowd

Travel Assistance
our in-house travel specialists can assist you with travel insurance. If you’re arriving from interstate or from international destinations we can also package any accommodation, flights, and add-ons in addition to this tour. Package your Limestone Coast adventure with us and save stress, time and money

There is stairs, uneven surfaces and moving luggage to and from accommodation, plus walking bush trails, kayaking and swimming on this trip. Please talk to us about your accessibility needs before booking