Mount Gambier crater lakes area is serviced by a maze of roads and walking tracks, all of which lead to lookouts, providing excellent viewing and photographic opportunities.
Around the circumference of the Blue Lake are several lookouts. Just east of the entrance into Aquifer Tours, Apex Lookout provides a wonderful viewpoint and photographic opportunity.
Travelling clockwise around the Blue Lake the next stop is the Rotary Lookout, which provides excellent views of the Blue Lake and Blue Lake Pumping Station, the entire crater area and the rich agricultural land to the South include Mount Schank and the Southern coastline of the district. This lookout is also known as Waworong Lookout, which is the Booandik Aboriginal peoples word for Blue Lake.
Another lookout on the south side of the lake near the cacti garden consists of a boardwalk out to a raised platform offering spectacular views.
Between the Blue Lake and Leg of Mutton Lake craters near the Adam Lindsay Gordon obelisk, a short walk down the steps and through a tunnel under the road leads to the Blue Lake Lookout, the views are worth the effort to get there.
Accessed via the walking trail above Rook Wall or via Keegan Drive is Leg of Mutton Lookout, also known as Hoo Hoo Lookout. It provides views from the crater rim down to the Leg of Mutton Lake and overlooks the site of the first Radiata Pine nursery and the original headquarters of the Mount Gambier Forest district. Nearby, Stephen Henty Lookout provides a wonderful view from the highest point of the Blue Lake.
Continuing along Keegan Drive Westwards, the road leads to Potters Point Lookout which overlooks the Valley Lake Crater and Centenary Tower on one side and the city on the other. This is a popular nighttime stop for views of the Centenary Tower, which is, floodlit at night and the city lights.
Nearby Centenary Lookout was built to commermorate South Australias centenary 1836 1936, and has a distinct directional dial as its focal point. Travelling up past the Blue Lake Holiday Park are several more lookouts. Mel Hirth Lookout provides another aspect of the Blue Lake.
Browne's and Valley Lake Lookout overlook the large Valley Lake crater and provides fascinating glimpses of the Leg of Mutton Lake crater. Marks Lookout, a great place to begin the mountain trail-walking track, also overlooks Valley and Browne's Lakes.
Driving upwards towards the Centenary Tower, situated quite high up near the Centenary Tower car park, Lions Lookout provides an excellent view for those wishing to capture the beauty of the lakes, the surrounding farmlands across to Mount Schank. For the more energetic, the walk to the Centenary Tower is worthwhile.
Tours visiting Mount Gambier are available departing from Adelaide and all other states of Australia. Local city tours also available.
The Valley Lakes area has gates that are closed at 7pm daily.
There are many short walks in this beautiful area including Valley Lake Walk, Blue Gum Walk and The Oaks Walk. Other walks include the Blue Lake Circuit, Leg of Mutton Lake Walk, Mountain Trail, Rook Walk/Pepperpot Trail, or The Wildlife Park and Boardwalk.
