'Blue Lake and City of Mount Gambier'

Mount Gambier the 'Blue Lake City' is South Australia's second largest City, located midway between the major capital cities of Melbourne and Adelaide, set amidst a unique and ancient landscape of volcanic craters, lakes, caves and mysterious underground aquifers.

Mount Gambier was sighted and named, in honour of Lord James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet, by Lieutenant James Grant in December 1800 whilst on a survey voyage in the Brig, HMS Lady Nelson.

Stephen Henty a grazier from Portland was the first white man to set eyes upon the wondrous Blue Lake and used the Valley Lake crater to graze his stock.  

The Henty brothers, who first settled in the area to graze cattle, never officially laid claim to the land and were forced to leave when the first lease was granted to Evelyn Sturt, brother to the famous explorer Charles Sturt.

"Gambiertown" as it was known in early years was founded by Hastings Cunningham who in 1854 subdivided a section of 77 acres for the establishment of a town.

The first Town Council was formed in 1876 with Mount Gambier being officially declared a City in 1954.

Today's Mount Gambier with a population approaching 24,000 people is the regional centre for South East South Australia and Western Districts of Victoria, servicing the commercial, retail, social, sporting and cultural needs of the region.

With a diverse and stable economic base, the Mount Gambier region is one of the most significant contributors to the South Australian economy in both export and local income.  

The multi million dollar softwoods timber industry continues to be a key contributor to the local economy and has heavily influenced the social and cultural heritage of the city and the region.

The City has always been renowned for its spectacular gardens, quality recreational facilities and is increasingly being recognized as a quality conference and event destination.

Mount Gambier boasts all the amenities of a progressive and vibrant City and is ideally located to attract visitors from the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians, the nearby coastline and beaches or the Coorong who are keen to experience the natural and cultural beauty of the Mount Gambier region.

Mount Gambier ............ "the best of the city in the heart of the country".

click here for further information on Mount Gambier including its History, Attractions, Industry and Services, Accommodation and Events