Step inside the beautiful Umpherston Sinkhole, Mount Gambier
Hey there, friend!
Since Iโm currently journaling about the gorgeous region of Mount Gambier in South Australia and my last entry was about the Kilsby Sinkhole, I thought it would be a good opportunity to look back on another epic sinkhole we visited in the area last year.
Explore the Umpherston Sinkhole with me
The Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier (Balumbul) is a definite must-see and there’s a reason why it’s a popular tourist attraction!
I can’t explain how surreal it feels being within the picturesque sunken garden, it’s like you’re stepping into some magical fairytale land. Not to mention, the chance to meet the cute resident possums that live in the sinkhole.
What you can do there
- View the incredible sunken garden from the top platforms overlooking the sinkhole
- Take your time walking down the stairs, stopping by the platforms
- Explore the landscaped sunken garden inside the sinkhole
- Read the interpretive signs along the way for historical and geological information
- Organise a picnic with friends and family between the gorgeous terraces
- Feed the adorable possums at dusk
- Wander the pretty park and gardens above the sinkhole
- Enjoy the playground and BBQ facilities at the park grounds
- Pop into the Umpherston Kiosk and Souvenirs for a drink and browse their products.
How to get there
Situated in the bottom west of South Australia, the small city of Mount Gambier is a popular tourist destination known for its amazing geological wonders.
From Adelaide, Mount Gambier is just under a 5 hour drive. Once you’re there, the Umpherston Sinkhole is located about 5 minutes away from the city centre, along the Jubilee Highway.
Cost to enter the sinkhole
This amazing experience wonโt cost you a cent because itโs free to visit! There’s also plenty of free parking.
Opening hours
The sinkhole is open every day, all year round, from dawn till dusk. From the car park, it’s a short stroll to the sinkhole through a pretty park. If you want to make a day of it, there’s also BBQ facilities, picnic shelters and a playground.
What exactly is a sinkhole?
From what I can gather, itโs when water seeps into the underground limestone and creates a cavity below the surface. Over time, it gets to a point when the surface is no longer supported and it caves in.
History
It all started in 1884, when retired farmer and landowner James Umpherston decided to landscape the sinkhole on his property so that it would be “a pleasant resort in the heat of the summer” for visitors. He obviously was an avid gardener!
It fell into disrepair for several decades after Umpherston passed away, until about the 70s when it was acquired by state forestry.
Restoring the sunken gardens
There was a lot of passion and excitement involved in the restoration of the sinkhole garden. Locals would volunteer much of their weekends to help bring it back to life, with a vision of developing something special for the community to enjoy.
The locals and state forestry have done an amazing job, donโt you think? It looks so lush with thick rows of hydrangeasโchosen because the resident possums donโt like the taste of them!
Thereโs tall palm trees, an abundance of vibrant bushes and ferns, and my favouriteโgorgeous, long, dense ivy draping along the sinkhole walls. It’s definitely a plant lover’s paradise!
Size & depth
The sinkhole is massive, itโs about 20 metres deep and 50 metres wide. This is also what makes the gardens so impressive!
The amount of flora that surrounds you is unbelievable. When youโre looking in from the top, people down the bottom look like specks, and it makes you appreciate all of the hard work that has gone into creating this spectacular place.
There are a lot of stairs to climb to get all the way to the bottom and vice versa, however, there’s plenty of platforms along the way for taking photos, taking in all of the beautiful scenery, and a breather if you need it.
Best time to visit
The Umpherston Sinkhole is home to adorable brushtail possums! If you pop in around dusk, this is when they come out for a feed.
Wildlife
Feed the possums
We didnโt bring any food with us as I didn’t know you could, however, other people brought bags of cut up fruit and vegetables with them.
The possums are chubby little buggers, they are obviously used to being fed because they are so friendly… and so so cute! Here are some videos of the friendly, chubby possums.
Dogs not allowed
The park surrounding the sinkhole is dog-friendly but because of the resident possums and other wildlife, dogs are not permitted inside the actual sinkhole.
My hubby and I played tag team, and took turns going into the sinkhole.
And thatโs a wrap!
I hope youโve had a great time exploring the Umpherston Sinkhole through this read. Itโs a beautiful attraction to see in person, and I hope it has sparked your interest in planning a visit to Mount Gambier soon.
Don’t forget to bring a bag of small cut up fruit for the chubby possums!
Have you been before? Please feel free to share your experiences in the comments or pop in any questions you might have; Iโd love to hear from you.
Safe travels and happy exploring! Thanks for joining me, hope to see you again!
They certainly created something beautiful out of something that might have been a disaster.
I agree completely! It’s such a great way to make the most of something like a sinkhole!
That sink hole looks amazing!!! I want to hike it and feed the possums. Thank you for sharing!
The possums are so cute and chubby!! You’re welcome ๐ I hope you get to visit one day!
Having a picnic in such a unique place as Umpherston Sinkhole – what could possibly beat this experience?! Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome ๐ it’s such a gorgeous place that’s worth sharing!
Wowww I’ve never seen a sinkhole so green and transformed into a garden that visitors could enjoy! What a creative way to engage the local (and touring!) community! Thank you for the heads up about the stairs
It’s so magical ๐ they have done such a fantastic job! You’re welcome!
When I first started reading, I wasn’t sure how you could have a whole post about a sinkhole. My mind was quickly changed when I saw the gorgeous gardens. Who knew a sinkhole could be transformed into a beautiful garden?
It’s amazing isn’t it, the state forestry and locals have created something truly special with it ๐