6 Day Mount Gambier & South East South Australia Tour
Experience the striking beauty and rich heritage of South East South Australia on this carefully curated 6-day touring holiday based in Mount Gambier. Set among ancient volcanic landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, dramatic limestone coastlines and historic township trails, this journey showcases one of Australia's most unique and geologically fascinating regions. From the iconic Blue Lake and Umpherston Sinkhole to the coastal charm of Port MacDonnell, Beachport and Robe, each day offers a relaxed blend of natural wonders, heritage discovery and regional hospitality — including a spectacular Glenelg River BBQ dinner cruise at sunset. With a comfortable single-base stay in Mount Gambier and a return journey via the Queenscliff to Sorrento Ferry, this tour has been designed for ease of travel and maximum enjoyment.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Geelong · Camperdown · Hamilton · Casterton · Mount Gambier
We depart Noble Park Railway Station and travel to Geelong for morning tea (own expense at service centre). Continuing through Winchelsea and Colac, we stop in Camperdown for lunch. This afternoon we journey through the Western District and Hamilton, passing through Coleraine — where we visit the Glenelg Chocolate Shop — and Casterton, the centre of 'Australia Felix', before crossing the South Australian border and arriving in Mount Gambier. Our home for the next five nights is the Southgate Motel, approximately 1km from the city centre. This evening we enjoy a delicious welcome 2-course dinner in the motel's licensed restaurant.
Day 2 – Umpherston Sinkhole · Blue Lake · Valley Lake · Port MacDonnell
Today we explore the highlights of Mount Gambier, a region shaped by ancient volcanic activity. We visit the famous Blue Lake, renowned for its remarkable seasonal colour change — turning from winter grey-green to an intense cobalt blue each October, remaining that glorious colour until late April. We then visit the beautiful Umpherston Sinkhole, a stunning sunken garden, where we enjoy morning tea. After visiting Valley Lake and enjoying lunch in Mount Gambier, we travel to the coastal township of Port MacDonnell — South Australia's southernmost port — visiting the Maritime Museum, the rugged coastal scenery at Cape Northumberland, and the crystal-clear waters of Ewen Ponds, popular for snorkelling and cave diving. Dinner this evening in the motel's licensed restaurant.
Day 3 – Tantanoola Cave · Millicent
This morning we travel to Tantanoola Cave, one of South Australia's most impressive limestone caves, where we enjoy a guided tour through its beautifully decorated chambers. Continuing to Millicent, we enjoy lunch followed by a visit to the Millicent Museum, showcasing local history and community life. We return to Mount Gambier mid-afternoon with time to relax before a delicious 2-course dinner in the motel restaurant this evening.
Day 4 – Beachport · Woakwine Cutting · Robe
Today is a scenic coastal touring day. Travelling via Millicent, we arrive at the seaside town of Beachport for morning tea with views of the Southern Ocean. We continue to the impressive Woakwine Cutting — an incredible hand-dug engineering feat — before heading to the historic port town of Robe for lunch and time to explore, including the Chinese Monument commemorating the migrants who travelled to the Victorian goldfields in the 1850s. We return to Mount Gambier in the afternoon and enjoy another delicious 2-course dinner at the motel this evening.
Day 5 – Penola · Yallum Park Homestead · Glenelg River BBQ Dinner Cruise
This morning we travel to the historic town of Penola, rich in heritage and character. We visit the John Riddoch Centre and the Mary MacKillop Centre, and enjoy time to explore the charming Petticoat Lane precinct before lunch in Penola. After lunch, we visit the elegant Yallum Park Homestead, where a guided tour provides a fascinating insight into life in a grand 19th-century country estate. Later this afternoon we head to Nelson for the highlight of the tour — a BBQ dinner cruise on the Glenelg River, enjoying a delicious meal while taking in the stunning river scenery at sunset. We return to Mount Gambier later in the evening.
Day 6 – Port Fairy · Colac · Queenscliff–Sorrento Ferry · Home
We farewell Mount Gambier and travel the scenic coastal route back into Victoria. A stop in the charming fishing village of Port Fairy for morning tea is followed by our journey through Warrnambool, Terang and Camperdown to Colac for lunch. We arrive in Queenscliff, where we board the ferry for a relaxing crossing of Port Phillip Bay to Sorrento — a wonderful finale to our tour. We then return to Noble Park Railway Station, arriving approximately 6pm (subject to road and traffic conditions).
Pricing
What's Included
- ✓Seatbelt-equipped coach travel departing Noble Park Railway Station
- ✓5 nights accommodation at Southgate Motel, Mount Gambier (approx. 1km from city centre, elevator available, Ph: 08 8723 1175)
- ✓Full cooked breakfast each morning in motel restaurant
- ✓2-course dinners on 4 evenings in motel licensed restaurant (choice of main course & dessert)
- ✓Glenelg River BBQ Dinner Cruise from Nelson (Day 5)
- ✓Tantanoola Cave guided tour
- ✓Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum entry
- ✓Millicent Museum entry
- ✓Yallum Park Homestead guided tour
- ✓All admissions, sightseeing and morning teas as per itinerary
- ✓Queenscliff to Sorrento Ferry on return journey
- ✓Designer Tours Tour Host throughout
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