Mount Gambier to Victor Harbor

Before leaving Mount Gambier we made a visit to see the crater lakes that the town is famous for. There are three lakes contained within the rims of three separate craters from former volcanos.

The most impressive is the Blue Lake, the water being a deep blue colour throughout the summer months. In March/November over the space of a few days the water turns blue and then reverts to grey in April. The water is some 80metres deep and provides Mount Gambier with its water supply, which is replenished through ground water seeping in from limestone rocks.

The second lake, Valley Lake was just a green colour as was the much smaller of the three, Mutton Lake. None of the second two could match the beauty of Blue Lake.

Leaving Mount Gambier we drove straight through to Victor Harbor. Outside Mount Gambier we passed through the major wine producing area of Coonawarra,including the Lindeman and Penfold vineyards. With the drink drive laws in Australia we avoided the temptation to stop.

We saw an interesting sight beside the road further north, miles from any settlement, where several tree stumps in a row were carved into figures representing the life of a local priest, not unlike the ones we saw in Lakes Entrance, but this time the trees were still rooted in the ground.

Beyond this area it opened out to rolling scenery with distant views, cattle and sheep country.

The last section of the journey was both interesting and curious. Having turned off the main road at Tailem Bend towards the Fleurieu Peninsula, there seemed to be the Murray River in the way and no bridge !! Problem solved on turning a corner - a small cable guided ferry. We have now travelled by land, river and air.

Victor Harbor is the largest of a number of small towns on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula; charming and a good base from which to explore this area. Good hotel with balcony over looking the busy bowls club and on out to sea.