Australian Walk: Umpherston Sinkhole

Umpherston Sinkhole

Areally beautiful spot and completely unexpected, Umpherston Sinkhole in Mt Gambier in South Australia is a must see when visiting Mount Gambier it is hard to believe it is only a couple of minutes out of town. While sinkholes are generally regarded as a disastrous natural phenomenon, Australia’s Umpherston Sinkhole has been transformed into a wondrous fantasy garden. Otherwise known as the “Sunken Garden,” the verdant sinkhole was formed when the ceiling of a large Above:Looking up to the open sky. Insert: A brush tail possum. Below left: Steps go down to the bottom. Subscribe or renew your subscription to Walking New Zealand today and you can save up to 22% off the cover price.

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subterranean cave collapsed into itself, leaving a giant pockmark in the Earth. The hole began its transformation in 1886 when local James Umpherston began planting a garden there.

The Umpherston Sinkhole has a long ramp at the entry point followed by an array of enclosed steps. From these steps, you can see the first real views of the sinkhole. As you proceed further into the sinkhole, you will be able to see the stunning garden and its picturesque landscape. From the area of this sinkhole, you can see the terraces in the garden.

Once you descend to the floor of the sinkholes, you will see the fountain, hydrangeas and tree-ferns around the area. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to the garden floor.

The sinkhole offers an array of scenic spots and a beautiful garden; certainly offering you a very unique experience.

The sinkhole is open from dawn to dusk and, as the sun sets, the Umpherston Sinkhole comes alive with hundreds of possums as they come into this tranquil garden to feed.

Bring along some snacks and watch the possums emerge at dusk. These friendly little critters let you pat and feed them. They take your food with their tiny paws. You can spend hours watching these curious creatures.

The common Brush-tail Possum can adapt to numerous kinds of vegetation. However we all know they prefer fruit and veg over eucalyptus leaves, flowers and seed any day. Like most possums, the common Brush-tail Possum is nocturnal. Make sure you pack a torch and rug up before heading to the sinkhole after dark.

The sculptures at Umpherston Sinkhole are inspired by the geological processes of the region that resulted in the formation of sinkholes.

Be sure to visit Umpherston Sinkhole in the daylight too. The sinkhole is really beautiful to see with the light shining on it. Children can enjoy exploring the luscious green gardens and the surrounding parkland is perfect for a picnic and a play.

Above right:The stunning garden in the sinkhole.

Below left and right: Hydrangeas at the bottom of the sinkhole.