Got my mum over here at the moment so catching up on some of the touristing things!

We're in South East South Australia so drove down to Mount Gambier via Naracoorte and the caves. It's 3 hrs drive from where we live to Mt Gambier so about 2.5 hrs on top of that from Adelaide.

Naracoorte is a fairly typical small town - various banks, shops etc and a couple of good bakeries worth trying and then the caves are out of town in Mt Gambier direction. There's a wood gallery in same place and a fossil centre too. It's an all day, all ages venue. Brilliant for teenages and young children and probably grandparents out on a day on their own.

We paid $31 for a tour, including a self guided tour in the wet caves for a family ticket. We went off and did our self guided tour first, mum didn't like to metal mesh, steep, steps down into the cave but it's great once your down there. Lots to see and amazing stalagtites and fossils.

The tour guide then showed us another bigger cave, facinating, took about 40 mins which was bliss in the 40 c temps (can understand why living underground is appealing in Cooper Pedy).

There's also a bat tour, 30,000 bats! And adventure tours too. Also cafe and gift shop. We'll definitely go back for another visit.

and Mount Gambier ... it's a big town which is fine but what you need to see is the Blue Lake! Amazing - I swear they must fill it with blue food dye! It's not describable ... vivid, violent bright blue. Good parks locally for small children and there's a wildlife park near there too - free to enter and walk along board walks to spot wallabys, roos, koalas, snakes, birds etc. We went at tea time so saw loads of roos within touching distance. Very good.

We also visited the sinkhole which was very nice but a little under-tourist developed, took 30 mins to look around and then wondered what to do next!

We stayed at the Lakes Resort which has excellent a la carte food but would also recommend Big 4 cavaran park, cabins looked brilliant with very contemporary style.

Gone on too long, sorry!

No, it wasn't too long. Interesting to read.

The Blue Lake at Mount Gambier IS very impressive. It's only blue, though, from about Nov. (I think.) to about March, and after that it gradually changes back to a normal colour. Apparently the change to brilliant blue happens over only a couple of days. I believe no-one really knows exactly why it changes, but it is very spectacular if you see it when it is blue.

Didn't know about the free wildlife park. What is it called? Will have to look out for that next time I'm there.

Jen

The free wildlife park is with the lakes of Blue Lake, Little Blue and Leg of Mutton - it's marked on the maps - it's nearby a recreation lake where there's sking and jet skis near the caravan park so you can't miss it if you're in the right end of town!

Yes apparently the Blue Lake does change over a couple of days at the start and end of the "blue" season! Also been told that even the bath water shows as very blue ... urmmm, not sure but it is worth a visit to the lake!