Great things to do in the Area and keep the children of all ages entertained.
If you are into “exploring” then this region is just for you! Port MacDonnell is 30kms/20mins from Mount Gambier, roughly 90 mins to Robe (small seaside village), 60 mins to Penola/Coonawarra for great wines & cafes, 90 mins to Naracoorte (caves World heritage listed), 60 mins to Portland (larger seaside town with a huge Port, and whale watching). It is only 20 mins to Nelson, Glenelg River, where you can take a cruise up the river to Margaret Rose Caves.
Port MacDonnell has a general store, Chemist, 2 fish & chip shops, a Hotel (great counter meals & takeaway), Periwinkles Café (great coffee & breakfast!!) and a Rural Transaction Centre with a library, museum and gallery of the history of the Limestone Coast. The Library has an eight ball table, computers etc and they hire out DVDs for free.
Port MacDonnell is the Lobster Capital of Australia and if you are staying when it’s “crayfishing” season, there is fresh seafood available at the local mongers. The fairy penguins are fun to watch at dusk coming in to their sheltered caves for the night. The reef is lots of fun too, turning the rocks over to find crabs and other reef creatures and collecting unusual shells. There are surfing beaches and a swimming beach down near the caravan park, we call the “Wool Wash”.
You could also explore the spectacular underwater world of Piccaninnie Ponds which have been recognised as a wetland of international importance. Snorkel across the top of The Chasm and peer down into the dark depths below or dive down into the large underwater cavern known as The Cathedral. Or you could investigate Ewens Ponds which is a series of three water-filled limestone sinkholes. The ponds are popular with recreational divers due to underwater visibility of up to 80 metres (260 ft]. It has a large fish population including the endangered golden pygmy perch.
Consider 4 wheel driving in Canunda National Park, climb Mount Schank, a dormant volcano, or meander along a walking trail or bush track. Practice your golf, lawn bowls or tennis, or just relax with family and friends on the beach in this quaint fishing village!
Mount Gambier is only 20 minutes north and has beautiful sinkhole gardens and lots of caves for guided exploration. It also has a state of the art Library and a new “Main Corner” where you can see history of the Mount Gambier region. The Blue Lake is a magnificent extinct volcano that turns a beautiful blue colour around November, which you can either drive around or for the fitness nut, can walk around, take a tour of the pumping station or climb up to the Centenary Tower. The Valley Lake has a fantastic playground for children of all ages and a well maintained wild life park with kangaroos, koalas etc. There are also great cafes, restaurants and bakeries. It also has a cinema and 10 pin bowling alley.
Links:
Mount Gambier Tourism
Port MacDonnell Tourism
Beachport Conservation Park
Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail
Mary MacKillop Penola Centre
Naracoorte Caves National Park
Millicent Wind Farm
