Melbourne Day Trip | Blue Lake and Cave Garden

Driving all the way along the Great Ocean Road, I couldn't bear to turn back.

I originally planned to turn back at the Twelve Apostles, but once I got there, I felt it wasn't enough. Looking at the map, if I drove further west, it would be South Australia. There's a place called the Limestone Coast, which looked quite different. So, I just kept driving. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't turn around. That area, calling it South Australia's backyard, is no exaggeration.

 

The first time I came here, I was stunned by the Blue Lake. That blue, it just didn't seem real.
Mount Gambier's Blue Lake, from November to March each year, turns a particularly vibrant cobalt blue. Not a light blue, but a blue that, if you stare at it long enough, makes you feel it's almost unreal.

 

I stood at the Apex Lookout for a while, just gazing at the water. There was a small stall nearby selling blue lake lemonade, dyed to that same blue, which makes for a nice souvenir. Oh, and there's a Little Blue Lake nearby, where locals like to swim in the summer. It's not crowded and feels more down-to-earth than the big Blue Lake.

Two Hidden Worlds Underground
What's interesting about the Limestone Coast is that all the good stuff is hidden underground. Kilsby Sinkhole is a "sinkhole" where the water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom. When the sunlight spills in from the entrance, the light penetrates the water, and the entire underwater space lights up with those incredibly dreamlike beams – divers call this "underwater holy light." I'm not much of a diver, but I heard you can book an experience here, with different routes available from snorkeling to deep diving.

 

The other cave, the Cave Garden, is even more magical. It was originally a limestone cave that collapsed and was then converted into a sunken garden. As you walk down the stone steps, vines hang overhead, and greenery surrounds you; it truly feels like stepping into a fantasy movie. I took a lot of photos here; the light is perfect for capturing great shots.

Two Towns, Two Flavors
Robe and Kingston, two coastal towns with distinct styles.

 

Robe has long white sand beaches and incredibly clear ocean water. A red and white striped obelisk stands by the sea, serving as a landmark. Lobster is famous here; I just picked a random restaurant to eat, and the freshness was undeniable. There are many holiday homes in the town, and many Australian locals enjoy bringing their families here for a few days.

 

Kingston is more straightforward – a giant lobster sculpture. It's truly massive; you can see it from afar. Most people who come here take a photo with the lobster; it's a sort of ritual.

 

Ancient Animals in a World Heritage Site
Naracoorte Caves is a World Heritage-listed site. I'm not someone who's particularly interested in caves, but this place is truly different.

The caves preserve fossils of ancient megafauna, including an extinct wombat species that was bigger than a car. It's hard to imagine these creatures once roamed this land. Even if you're not interested in fossils, the cave formations themselves are well worth seeing.

A few tips
If you want to complete this route, I recommend setting aside 4 days. Start from Melbourne, drive along the Great Ocean Road, pass through the Limestone Coast, and finally reach Adelaide. This way, you won't feel rushed, you'll see everything worth seeing, and eat everything worth eating.

 

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