Experience South Australia’s Limestone Coast, renowned for its white sandy beaches, pristine diving spots, volcanic lakes, and unique caves.
DISCOVER
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.
Your unforgettable Limestone Coast adventure begins here, why wait?
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Soak up Limestone Coast travel inspiration to uncover what to see and do while you’re exploring the region.
Visit visitlimestonecoast.com.au to explore more.
CARAVAN & CAMPING STAYS
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.
OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES – LIMESTONE COAST
- Cave Exploration: Explore the fascinating underground world of caves and sinkholes in places like Naracoorte Caves National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Wine Tasting: Visit renowned wineries and cellar doors in Coonawarra, known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
- Hiking and Bushwalking: Discover scenic trails in Mount Gambier, the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park, and the Canunda National Park.
- Fishing: Cast a line and try your luck at fishing in coastal waters or freshwater lakes like Lake Bonney.
- Beach Activities: Enjoy swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and beach-combing on the picturesque coastal beaches.
- Bird Watching: Observe a diverse range of bird species in the region’s wetlands, including the Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park.
- Water Sports: Participate in kayaking, windsurfing, and paddleboarding on the pristine waters of Lake George and Lake Robe.
- Mountain Biking: Hit the trails and explore the landscape on a mountain bike, with various tracks catering to all skill levels.
- Scenic Drives: Take a leisurely drive along the Limestone Coast Scenic Drive, enjoying breathtaking coastal views and picturesque landscapes.
- Wildlife Encounters: Encounter native wildlife like kangaroos, koalas, and sea lions, particularly in places like Little Dip Conservation Park.
LIMESTONE HOT SPOTS
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.
WALKING TRAILS
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.