The Blue Lake

Limestone Coast

The Limestone Coast is one of the most diverse regions in Australia, with visitors able to experience coastal landscapes, lush farmland, spectacular caves, captivating wilderness and world famous vineyards.

 

The Limestone Coast provides a true touring holiday experience. Journey to a place where the rich landscape is characterised by dramatic contrasts. Explore picturesque seaside villages, discover cellar doors in the famed Coonawarra wine region, learn about the life of Australia’s first saint and walk through some of the world’s oldest caves.

Visit the Limestone Coast’s lakes, rivers and water-filled caves. The jewel in the crown is the Blue Lake, at 75 metres deep, this mysterious lake changes colour throughout the year. From the succulent seafood harvested from the clear, cold waters of the Southern Ocean to the nation’s most unforgettable Wagyu beef experience at Mayura Station, the Limestone Coast is a gastronomic adventure.

Beachport Conservation Park

Best way to Travel

The Limestone Coast links Melbourne with Adelaide and is a fantastic touring route for self-drives. The major town, Mount Gambier, is serviced by Regional Express and QantasLink flights. Many towns within the Limestone Coast have airstrips suitable for private charter. Daily coach services operate between Mount Gambier and Adelaide on both coastal and inland routes servicing the majority of local towns.

Must See & Do

Driving the Limestone Coast

Follow the coastline through the laid-back coastal, fishing towns of Kingston, Robe, Beachport and Port MacDonnell. Here lobster is the main catch and there are good sandy beaches for safe swimming. They also offer good fishing, scenic drives, shopping strips, cafes and galleries to explore.

The Coorong National Park is a 130 kilometre stretch of saltwater lagoons and a wetland of international importance. It is an important habitat for numerous species of migratory birds. The park is also an archaeological site with evidence of Aboriginal occupation over many thousands of years.

Serenely located beneath a rural farming property near Mount Gambier, 'Kilsby Sinkhole' is world-renowned as one of the best sinkhole dive sites due to its crystal clear water and breathtaking visibility. Kilsby Sinkhole welcomes snorkellers, freedivers and Open Water certified scuba divers under the supervision of a licensed and industry qualified guide. Access via licensed guides only.

Located in the heart of some of the best farming country in Australia Mayura Station specilaises in full-blood Wagyu beef. The Tasting Room restaurant offers the ultimate ‘paddock to plate’ experience with prime cuts of Wagyu beef cooked to perfection, ensuring visitors have the best possible experience.

Naracoorte Caves is South Australia’s only World Heritage site. Home to a spectacular cave system, 500,000-year-old fossils, mega fauna skeletons, bat conservation and cutting edge paleontological research. Expert tour guides provide a range of tours to suit all ages and abilities, including adventure caving.

Penola is in the heart of one of South Australia's most productive wine growing areas - the Coonawarra, well known for the excellent red wines. The town is also famous as the central location in the life of Mary McKillop, Australia's first saint and there are galleries, cafes and the State Heritage strip of Petticoat Lane.

At 75 metres deep the Blue Lake is a large water-filled volcanic crater that is now extinct. It mysteriously changes colour from blue in the warmer months to grey at other times. There is a sealed road around the perimeter and also a 3.6 kilometre walking trail with viewing platforms. Guided tours are available.

The Limestone Coast is home to the Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Mount Benson and Padthaway wine regions with more than 40 cellar doors to choose from. Coonawarra is well known for its robust reds from the richly coloured terra rossa soil, producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world.