Little Blue Lake: A Cold, Blue Surprise
Little Blue Lake feels an almost accidental discovery. You turn off a quiet road, pass through open farmland, and suddenly there it is. A bright blue sinkhole sitting in the middle of a paddock, looking far more tropical than it has any right to.
We’d heard about it before arriving, mostly from photos that make it look calm, inviting, and very swimmable. Standing on the edge told a different story.
The water is clear in colour but not in depth. You can’t see the bottom, and the surface gives nothing away about just how cold it is. Very cold, as it turns out. Neil was intrigued. Cameron took one look, felt the temperature in the air, and decided that today was not the day to test personal limits.
Swimming aside, it’s a striking place to visit. The contrast between the vivid blue water and the surrounding farmland makes it feel oddly out of place, like someone dropped it there by mistake. We walked the edge, took photos, and watched others debate whether to get in. Most seemed to have the same internal conversation.
What makes Little Blue Lake even more surprising is how it came to be. This isn’t a lake that slowly filled a depression over time. It’s a sinkhole, created when volcanic activity and underground limestone interacted, leaving a void beneath the surface. Eventually, the ground above collapsed, exposing the deep cavity below.
Over time, groundwater filled the sinkhole, creating the lake we see today. The vivid blue colour comes from the water’s clarity and the way light reflects off the pale limestone walls beneath the surface. It looks inviting, almost tropical, but the depth drops away quickly, and the water stays cold year-round, fed by underground aquifers rather than surface runoff.
Little Blue Lake doesn’t need much time. It’s a full-day stop, and that’s fine. It’s a reminder that South Australia hides some very unexpected landscapes in very ordinary locations. Unfortunately, due to the cloud cover on the day we visited, the brilliant blue didn’t reveal itself in all its glory, but we caught glimpses of it between the clouds.
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Little Blue Lake
Little Blue Lake is a former sinkhole located near Mount Schank in South Australia’s Limestone Coast region. Like many features in the area, it was formed through volcanic activity and the collapse of underground limestone.
The lake is unfenced and sits within open farmland, giving it a distinctly informal feel. Despite its inviting colour, the water is consistently cold year-round and drops away quickly from the edges.
How to Get There
Little Blue Lake is located a short drive south of Mount Schank, near Mount Gambier. Access is via sealed roads with a short gravel section leading to a small parking area. Signage is limited but clear.
What to See / Tours / Activities
What we did:
Walked around the edge of the sinkhole.
Took photos from multiple angles to capture the colour contrast.
Decided swimming was not happening.
Other highlights nearby:
Blue Lake and Valley Lake in Mount Gambier.
Mount Schank crater walk.
Umpherston Sinkhole.
When to Visit
The lake can be visited year-round. Summer offers warmer air temperatures, but the water remains cold regardless of season. Early-morning and late-afternoon light bring out the strongest colour.
Final Thoughts
Little Blue Lake is best appreciated from the edge. It’s beautiful, unexpected, and slightly unsettling, as deep water often is. You don’t need to swim to enjoy it.
What’s Nearby
Little Blue Lake pairs well with other sinkholes and crater lakes around Mount Gambier, making it a straightforward addition to a Limestone Coast itinerary without extra driving.
Fast Facts
Location: Little Blue Lake,Limestone Coast, South Australia
Distance: Approx. 15 km south of Mount Gambier
Traditional Owners: Buandig people
Access: Sealed roads with short gravel section
Facilities: None
Walking Track: Informal walking around the edge
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Dog Friendly: Yes (on lead)
Things That Could Kill You (Probably Won’t)
A semi-serious guide to surviving Australia. Mostly common sense, occasionally luck.
Cold water: The lake stays cold year-round. Cold shock is a real risk.
Depth: You can’t see the bottom, and the sides drop away quickly.
Edges: Uneven ground around the rim can be slippery after rain.
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