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Mt Gambier is a regional city with an urban population of just over 25,000. Situated on the slopes of an inactive volcano, Mt Gambier is the second most populated city in South Australia. Just 17 kilometres from the Victorian border, the city is actually closer to Melbourne (435 km) than its state capital Adelaide (450 km).
The first sighting of the inactive volcano on which Mt Gambier is situated was by European explorer Lieutenant James Grant in 1800. Seen from aboard the HMS Lady Nelson, the area was named after Admiral of the Fleet, Lord James Gambier. After lands were granted to explorer Charles Sturt's sister, Evelyn, the area quickly developed with a post office operating by 1846, followed by a hotel in 1847 and a flour milling operation in 1849. Mt Gambier was declared a city in 1954. Today it is an important centre of tourism, generating more than $100 million a year for the local economy. Other key areas of business remain in the service industry and include hospitality, retail, education and professional services.
The Buandig people are the traditional owners of the land. Prior to European settlement they called Mt Gambier ereng balam (egree belum), 'home of the eagle hawk'.
Mt Gambier is a geographical wonderland with volcanic craters, watery caves, parks, gardens, sinkholes, lakes and limestone deposits. Engelbrechts Cave, Umpherston Sinkhole and Cave Gardens are popular with divers who travel from around the globe to experience this amazing geographical phenomenon. Blue Lake and Valley Lake Wildlife Park are also popular tourist attractions.
The Civic Centre is the arts and culture hub of Mt Gambier. It includes the prestigious Riddoch Gallery, the major regional gallery in South Australia. Motor sport is also immensely popular in Mt Gambier with the Borderline Speedway and McNamara Park road racing circuit bring thousands to the area every year. The Alex Roberts cycling event is also held annually. The Mount Gambier Gift is a professional footrace held in December at Vansittart Oval. As the second richest footrace in South Australia, athletes come from all over Australia to participate. Mt Gambier is also home to the Pioneers. The popular basketball team celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2013.
Mt Gambier CBD is centred on Commercial Street. Two other major shopping centres service the district as well; Mt Gambier Marketplace and Centro Mt Gambier. The key retail districts include major department stores, Kmart, Harvey Norman, BigW and Target. Supermarkets include IGA, Coles and Woolworths. Well represented by a number of boutique stores, restaurants and cafes, Mt Gambier's shopping districts also support several banks and pharmacies. There are several Interflora florists in Mt Gambier, who can deliver fresh flowers to all local residences, hospitals – such as The Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service and the Mount Gambier Private Hospital – nursing homes, businesses, churches and funeral homes. Local delivery areas include Port MacDonnell, Allendale East, Blackfellows Caves, Burrungule, Canunda, Cape Douglas, Caroline, Carpenter Rocks Caveton, Compton, Dismal Swamp, Donovans, Eight Mile Creek, German Creek, Glenburnie, Kongrong, Mil-Lel, Mingbool, Moorak, Mount Schank, Nene Valley, OB Flat, Pelican Point, Pleasant Park, Port MacDonnell, Racecourse Bay, Square Mile, Suttontown, Tarpeena, Wandilo, Wepar, Worrolong, Wye and Yahl.