ll Travel Notes ll The favored Mount Gambier - there is the Blue Lagoon Wonderland above and the Cave Garden below

Blue Lagoon Wonderland

There is a cave garden below

For this two-day and one-night trip, we decided to stay in Mount, the second largest city in South Australia after Adelaide, which is 450 kilometers south of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, and 435 kilometers west of Melbourne. Mount Gambier. Approximately 5 hours drive from Adelaide city centre.

It was four o'clock in the morning when we set off from Adelaide city center. Because Murphy and I are both night owl types, we like to sleep very much during the day, but we are usually very excited and unable to sleep at night. In addition, I especially like to drive at night, because at night there is no car on the road and I can drive as I please. It is so happy. So we packed our bags and prepared to set off for Mount Gambier.

From dark night to dawn, I drove half an all-nighter. On the way, Murphy was woken up by me three times while the co-pilot was sleeping, with an average interval of half an hour each time. It was probably because I was frightened by the rabbit that suddenly rushed out from the roadside that I shook the steering wheel violently on the highway and screamed. It is estimated that when Murphy woke up with a fright, he thought he was going to be in a car accident and was about to die. So that's why I like to drive late at night, well, no cars, high speed, safety.

When he woke Murphy up for the last time and looked out the window, he was probably going to collapse. That's because outside the car window on the highway, there is an amazing sunrise and flaming clouds. Although I have seen the sunrise once or twice before, I have never seen such breathtaking flaming clouds. At the end of the horizon, a yellow light began to break through the silent night, and soon a fiery orange-red gradient lit up the light blue sky. As far as the eye can see along the inaccessible highway, there is a deserted wilderness, and there is an illusion of running towards the end of the road. On the way, I met some kangaroo friends who got up early in the morning. Thank you for your kindness.

It was almost ten o'clock in the morning when we arrived at Mount Gambier. Instead, Murphy drove with 50% of his physical strength. Although my body was exhausted after not sleeping all night, my mind was running at high speed with excitement.

Mount Gambier is just a small town, and the main street contains almost all mainstream food and restaurants. And because the population is not large, restaurants are almost always open during lunch and dinner hours.

The Blue Lagoon is very close to the town center, only a few minutes away. There is a circle of driveways and sidewalks around the Blue Lake, which is suitable for people to walk around the Blue Lake. From the greenway around the Blue Lake, you can also overlook the panoramic view of Mount Gambier. Low European-style wooden houses are neatly arranged in rows for a clear view. There are no high-rise buildings, only comfort and leisure.

Tour time: 1 hour

©CrystalYe

There is a dialogue like this in the movie "Heartbeat":

Some of us get dipped in flat, some in satin, some in gloss. But every once in a while you find someone who’s iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.

Some people live in high-rise buildings, some live in deep ditches, some are shining brightly, and some are covered in rust. There are thousands of kinds of people in the world. Don’t seek them from floating clouds. This person is like a rainbow. When you meet him, you will know that he is there.

For me, the Blue Lake is like that rainbow-like lover. When we meet, the other scenery seems like a passing cloud.

©CrystalYe

Its unique cobalt blue color has a unique mystery. Under different strengths of sunlight, the Blue Lake sometimes has an unpredictable depth, and sometimes exudes an aura as clear and translucent as emerald. No matter how the autumn wind blows on the shore, the surface of the Blue Lake is still calm. Even if there is an occasional ripple, it can immediately catch your attention.

©CrystalYe

According to the explanation on the Internet, the Blue Lake will appear a vibrant cobalt blue in the summer from December to March every year, so it is called the Blue Lake; so in fact, the best month to view the Blue Lake is December Between January and March. After the temperature gradually drops in April, it gradually turns back to a cool iron gray color until the temperature rises in the next December. But it was already May when I went. The lake water is still very rich blue.

The reason for this phenomenon is still not conclusive. The most accepted theory is that the surface water temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in summer causes calcium carbonate to separate from the water, forming very small calcium carbonate crystallites; after sunlight is scattered, it forms A rich, gorgeous azure color.

Viewed from a high place, the Blue Lake is like a huge sparkling sapphire embedded in Mount Gambier, dazzling and charming.

©CrystalYe

During this period, I saw many local people who were old and gray-haired. They drove up the mountain during meal time, parked their cars in the parking lot next to the Blue Lake, drank coffee and had lunch. Some just hold a book in the car and read it carefully. When they are tired, they look up at the Blue Lagoon. This is probably the small happiness of living in Mount Gambier. There is always a place not far away where you can rest your soul.

©CrystalYe

They say you go to the mountains and go to the sea, but in Mount Gambier it's the opposite. The blue lake you want to cleanse your soul is above the sea level, but the hidden flower garden is at the bottom of the cave. The Cave Garden is also very close to the Blue Lagoon, less than ten minutes' drive away.

Tour time: 1 hour

©From the Internet

Umpherston Sinkhole was once a cave formed by dissolution and weathering of limestone. The roof of the cave eventually collapsed due to weathering and erosion, resulting in the depression we see today. Now, the soil from the top of the cave has fallen below, providing a perfect natural setting for the sunken garden. It was first landscaped by James Umpherston in 1886 and the cave gardens have always been open to the public. Geographical factors created the caves in the area, and Amberstone was inspired to create the cave garden. There is a large shaded pavilion that can accommodate about fifty guests and there are free BBQ facilities.

But trust me, no one will want to eat in this cave garden. To be honest, my first thought when I came here was to have a picnic in a beautiful environment and enjoy nature. However, because the cave environment is so suitable for possums to live and forage here, it has become their habitat. A vivid description is that as soon as you step into the cave, there will be a wild and vivid smell of possum feces. Come, this smell will surround you three-dimensionally along the rock wall, creating a 3D effect like the possum is surrounding you. It will only slow down if you hide in the flowers and immerse yourself in photography.

In order to show you the magical cave garden more intuitively, I found the upward and downward views taken by experts on the Internet.

©From the Internet

©CrystalYe

The cave is actually not easy to take pictures. Due to its low and concave location, the lighting is insufficient. If it is cloudy again, it can only be supplemented by a lot of post-production. Unfortunately, like me, it was a windy and cloudy day when I went there. Sometimes dark clouds covered the roof, and sometimes there were a few rays of sunshine.

©CrystalYe

©CrystalYe

Therefore, the overall post-production of the photo adopts a dark and cold style, which will deviate from the original color of the garden at the bottom of the cave. However, everyone’s feelings about the tranquility and tranquility of the garden at the bottom of the cave will be different, not to mention the appearance of the shooting. .

©CrystalYe

©CrystalYe

It was already autumn in South Australia when we arrived, although the vines and trees at the bottom of the cave were still lush and green. But there are only scattered flower bulbs in the flowers, and the color is dim and almost withered. I guess I have to wait until spring or summer to have that kind of excitement.

©CrystalYe

The cave garden reminded me of a story. The story begins when Alice accidentally encounters a possum wearing a suit on the road, with a pocket watch hanging on his body, and he happily runs past Alice. Alice followed the possum curiously, but unexpectedly fell into the cave garden. The fairyland-like garden surrounded by flowers in front of her made Alice forget to leave. The Possum thought that Alice was so annoying that she stayed here for so long, so he pooped everywhere in the cave garden, and successfully made Alice run away.

Just kidding, because the smell of possum is so profound that I can't get it out of my mind. Indeed, probably every girl who comes to the cave garden will think of the story of Alice in Wonderland. Thanks to James Amberstone for bringing fairy tales to life and allowing everyone with a girly heart to realize their little wishes in the Cave Garden.

©CrystalYe

In fact, there are some attractions around Mount Gambier that you can visit. But the Blue Lagoon and the Cave Garden are definitely not to be missed. If you're in a hurry, you can actually finish it in one day. Just because the driving time on the road is relatively long, it is better to rest for a night for safety reasons. It is highly recommended to come during the summer in Australia. It is best to use it as a rest stop between Melbourne and Adelaide during the tour of Australia.

The Blue Lagoon and the Cave Garden are what I miss so much. I’ll see you again next summer when I have the chance to pass by Mount Gambier.