Robe Lake Butler Marina, Limestone Coast. Source: South Australian Tourism Commission / Adam Bruzzone
Regional description
The Limestone Coast region covers the south-east corner of South Australia, reaching around 150km inland, bounded by the Coorong and Riverland Mallee region to its north, and the Victorian border to its east. Approximately 65,000 people call the region home.
With a temperate climate, pristine coastline, sparkling lakes, prehistoric caves, spectacular forests and award-winning wine and produce, there is plenty to explore and enjoy while living and working in the Limestone Coast.
The region has a strong economy largely based on agriculture and primary production, horticulture/viticulture, dairying, forestry and associated processing, and fishing. Its growing tourism industry also greatly contributes to the local economy.
A range of services and facilities are available to locals and visitors alike, from commercial and shopping centres, public and private schooling, medical and health facilities, and transport services. The Mount Gambier airport provides regular passenger flights between Mount Gambier and both Melbourne and Adelaide. You can also reach both capital cities within five hours when travelling from the region by road.
For a list of Limestone Coast Health Service visit the Limestone Coast Training Network.
Live, Work, Play
With majestic sites such as The Blue Lake turning a vivid turquoise colour during the summer months and the underground oasis of Umpherston Sinkhole, The Limestone Coast offers snorkelling in the pristine waters of Piccaninnie Ponds and Kilsby Sinkhole or swimming in one of many pristine beaches. Limestone coast is peppered with eight national parks, including the world heritage listed site of the Naracoorte Caves with fossil records for the past 500,000 years. There are over 40 cellar doors where you can experience the local wines and produce of the area. The economy consist of many resource based companies and industries across agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing, retail trade, education, construction, health and community services. Accommodation, cafes and restaurants are plentiful and shopping in SA’s second largest city of Mount Gambier includes shopping malls, plenty of grocery stores and clothing boutiques, markets and more. Robe also offers a stunning range of boutiques stores in addition to its beautiful beaches.
The region is serviced by an airport at Mount Gambier for commercial and passenger purposes.
Little Blue Lake, Mount Gambier, Limestone Coast. Source: Joanna Rogers, SA Media Gallery
Mount Gambier
The city of Mount Gambier provides a major service centre for the Limestone Coast region and is located approximately 450km south-east of Adelaide and only 17km from the Victorian border. It is the second most populated city in South Australia with more than 27,000 people calling Mount Gambier home.
The city is famously known for its volcanic and limestone natural wonders; particularly it’s Blue Lake, Engleberecht Cave and the sunken garden of Umpherston Sinkhole.
In addition to tourism, other main industries in the area include timber supported by milling operations, dairy, beef, lamb, and wool production.
The city offers major shopping outlets, supermarkets, service stations and other essential services. Football, netball, golf, cycling, bush walking and fishing are part of the large range of recreational sports and activities locals enjoy. Several public and private schools are also available.
Mount Gambier’s health services include aged care facilities, medical clinics, optometrists, dental services, physiotherapists, chiropractors, counselling services, hearing clinics and the Mount Gambier and District Health Service. In addition, the Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation provides a range of services and programs to support health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the area.
South Australia, Place To Go, Limestone Coast, Mount Gambier
Naracoorte, Hynam Woolshed source: Limestone Coast Local Government Association
Naracoorte
Naracoorte is approximately 336km south-east of Adelaide and 100km north of Mount Gambier. It has a population of approximately 5,900 people.
The city has historically relied largely on sheep, cattle and wheat farming but in recent decades however, tourism has become a major industry due to Naracoorte’s proximity to several wine regions and internationally-recognised natural features such the highly-visited World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves, where the preservation of Australia’s most complete marsupial fossils lay. The Ramsar-listed Bool and Hacks Lagoons are just south of the township where a myriad of birds and wildlife can be spotted from the boardwalk.
Locals enjoy Naracoorte for its wide leafy green streets and community feel. It offers all the essential facilities, a range of shops, banks, pubs, private and public primary and secondary schools, childcare facilities and the Naracoorte Hospital. For recreation, there are several sporting clubs, a man-made swimming lake, a fully watered 18-hole golf course and Naracoorte also plays host to the Limestone Coast Multicultural Soccer Carnival each year.
The city also has a strong emphasis on good food and wine, hosting a number of gourmet events throughout the year, with the Coonawarra wine region right at its doorstep.
Kingston, fresh lobster source: Limestone Coast Local Government Association
Kingston
Kingston is located approximately 300km south of Adelaide hidden on the coast of the pristine waters of Lacepede Bay with spectacular coastlines, safe family-friendly beaches, fantastic events and great town facilities. Long Beach runs south of Kingston and is 15km long with both 2wd and 4wd access. You can also explore many national parks including the renowned Coorong National Park, Kingston Park Coastal Reserve and Bernoulli National Park. Kingston itself is an attractive town with good parks and playgrounds making it a great place for families to live and is home to “Larry the Lobster” and the historic Cape Jaffa Lighthouse. There is an array of stores including homewares, gifts, fashion, art, candy and toys along with local fine foods and produce. There is a good variety of cafes, pubs and bakeries, and large supermarkets.
Limestone Coast Training Network
The Limestone Coast Training Network provides a broad and diverse training program for rural generalist trainees or those interested in rural medicine across Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service , Naracoorte Health Service and primary care locations in the region.