Boasting stunning natural wonders, a captivating azure lake, prehistoric caves, and enchanting sinkholes, there’s a purity in the Limestone Coast.
Long, brilliant sandy Limestone stretches provide idyllic bush camps with uninterrupted water views, offering stunning views if you’re driving from Melbourne.
Fertile soil and vast experiences, expect true country hospitality, extraordinary caving and awesome 4WD beach driving close to chilled beachside towns.
Take the Southern Ocean Drive Road Trip discover the region’s best attractions before venturing further to the Fleurieu Peninsula and the rest of the Limestone Coast.
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Soak up Limestone Coast travel inspiration to uncover what to see and do while you’re exploring the region.
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Road-bound travellers in the Limestone Coast are supported by Mount Gambier, South Australia’s second-largest city, located along the Melbourne-Adelaide touring route.
Discover excellent holiday parks, or seek pristine seclusion along the Limestone Coast’s shoreline. Alternatively, opt for a beach-side caravan park in a relaxed coastal town for convenience.
Inland, you can camp by the lake and observe birdlife grooming their feathers at dusk. You can also enjoy campfires and the camaraderie of rural communities as they share their agricultural history.
MOUNT GAMBIER
Blue Lake, located within a volcanic crater, turns cobalt blue in summer. Umpherston Sinkhole, formed millions of years ago and later transformed into a garden by James Umpherston in the 1880s, is another fascinating attraction.
NARACOORTE CAVES
Three hours southeast of Adelaide lies Naracoorte, home to the Naracoorte Caves National Park. Explore the local ice-age experience and discover megafauna at the Wonambi Fossil Centre.
ROBE
Robe is a serene seaside village known for its long, white 4WD-friendly beaches, excellent crayfish, and local craft beer. You can also fish in a nearby lake or take a dip in a natural spa. Don’t miss the vibrant Cape Dombey Obelisk standing proudly on a weathered limestone cliff overlooking Guichen Bay.
LIMESTONE COAST WINE REGIONS
Naracoorte is in the Wrattonbully wine region, surrounded by Coonawarra and Padthaway. Explore Coonawarra’s estates and visit Penola for a stroll through Petticoat Lane and the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre.
BEACHPORT
Water enthusiasts in Beachport, a coastal village to the west, have various options. Rivoli Bay, with its calm waters, is perfect for bodyboarding and attracts fish near the Beachport Jetty. You can access Beachport Conservation Park via a 2WD coastal track, but experienced 4WDers can take a scenic northern route through sandy terrain and winding bush tracks, ultimately reaching Robe via Little Dip Conservation Park’s dune system.
DETOURS FOR DIVERS
To the south of Mount Gambier, you’ll find two dive sites suitable for day trips or longer stays. Explore Ewens Ponds Conservation Park, where you can navigate three ponds through shallow channels with crystal-clear waters that support plant life up to six metres deep. Alternatively, visit Piccaninnie Ponds near the VIC-SA border.
Cape Buffon Walk, Canunda National Park
2.5km walk in Canunda National Park, looping around Cape Buffon. The walk includes some of the spectacular wild coast, some of the calmer bay-side coast and beaches and inland coastal vegetation, and climb to a trig point.
Mt Schank – Crater Rim Walk
2.7km hike around the rim of Mt Schank, after completing the Car Park to Crater Rim Hike. From the rim experience 360 views into the crater and of the surrounding countryside. The trail comprises mostly of a limestone planks, 1,038 of them, to climb up to the crater rim. The hike begins from the carpark and picnic area beside the waterhole.
Blue Lake Circuit
3.6km, circuit walk around the Blue Lake perimeter. There are numerous lookouts and interpretive signs along the way. The trail is lit at night time.
Visit Walking SA for more walking trails in the Limestone Coast.