View source for Mount Gambier

{{About|the regional city known as Mount Gambier||Mount Gambier (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                     = city
| name                     = Mount Gambier
| state                    = SA
| image                    = MountGambierMainStreet.JPG
| caption                  = Commercial Street
| image_alt                = 
| relief                   = 
| coordinates              = {{coord|37|49|46|S|140|46|58|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_label_position   = left
| map_alt                  = 
| pop                      = 25,591
| pop_year                 = {{CensusAU|2021}}
| pop_footnotes            = <ref name="abs">{{Census 2021 AUS | id = SAL40947 | name = Mount Gambier (Suburbs and Localities) | accessdate = 3 February 2025 | quick = on}}</ref>
| poprank                  = 
| density                  =
| density_footnotes        = 
| established              = 1854
| established_footnotes    = 
| abolished                = 
| gazetted                 = 
| postcode                 = 5290,<ref>[http://www1.auspost.com.au/postcodes/index.asp?Locality=mount+gambier&sub=1&State=SA&Postcode=&submit1=Search Australia Post]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} – Postcode: Mount Gambier, SA (25 June 2008)</ref> 5291<ref>[http://www1.auspost.com.au/postcodes/index.asp?Locality=mount+gambier&sub=1&State=SA&Postcode=&submit1=Search Australia Post] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102644/https://auspost.com.au/postcode |date=11 January 2022 }} – Postcode: Mount Gambier West, Mount Gambier East, SA (25 June 2008)</ref>
| elevation                = 
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| area                     = 193.3
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="ABSSUAProf">{{cite web|title=2011 Census Community Profiles: Mount Gambier|url=http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/4002|website=ABS Census|publisher=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]]|access-date=15 September 2016|archive-date=8 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308223837/http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/communityprofile/4002|url-status=live}}</ref> (2011 urban)
| timezone                 = [[UTC9:30|ACST]]
| utc                      = +9:30
| timezone-dst             = [[UTC10:30|ACDT]]
| utc-dst                  = +10:30
| dist1                    = 450
| dir1                     = 
| location1                = Adelaide
| dist2                    = 435
| dir2                     = 
| location2                = Melbourne
| lga                      = City of Mount Gambier
| lga2                     = District Council of Grant
| region                   = 
| county                   = [[County of Grey|Grey]]
| stategov                 = [[Electoral district of Mount Gambier|Mount Gambier]]
| fedgov                   = [[Division of Barker|Barker]]
| url                      = 
| maxtemp                  = 19.0
| maxtemp_footnotes        = 
| mintemp                  = 8.2
| mintemp_footnotes        = 
| rainfall                 = 711.1
| rainfall_footnotes       = 
| near-n                   = [[Suttontown, South Australia|Suttontown]]
| near-ne                  = [[Mil-Lel]]<br>[[Worrolong]]
| near-e                   = [[Glenburnie, South Australia|Glenburnie]]
| near-se                  = [[Yahl]]<br>[[Square Mile, South Australia|Square Mile]]
| near-s                   = [[OB Flat]]
| near-sw                  = [[Moorak]]
| near-w                   = [[Compton, South Australia|Compton]]
| near-nw                  = [[Suttontown, South Australia|Suttontown]]
| near                     = Mount Gambier
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''Mount Gambier''' is the second most populated city in [[South Australia]], with a population of 25,591 as of the 2021 census. The city is located on the slopes of [[Mount Gambier (volcano)|Mount Gambier]], a volcano in the south east of the state, about {{convert|450|km}} south-east of the capital [[Adelaide]] and just {{convert|17|km}} from the [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]]n border. The [[traditional owners]] of the area are the [[Bungandidj people|Bungandidj (or Buandik) people]]. Mount Gambier is the most important settlement in the [[Limestone Coast]] region and the seat of government for both the [[City of Mount Gambier]] and the [[District Council of Grant]].

The city is well known for its geographical features, particularly its volcanic and limestone features, most notably [[Blue Lake / Warwar|Blue Lake/Waawor/Warwar]], and its parks, gardens, caves and [[Sinkhole|sinkholes]].

==History==
Before [[British colonisation of South Australia]], the [[Bungandidj]] (or Buandik/Boandik) people were the original [[Aboriginal Australian|Aboriginal]] inhabitants of the area. They referred to the peak of the volcanic mountain as 'ereng balam' or 'egree belum', meaning 'home of the eagle hawk',<ref>{{cite web |work=Place Names Online |publisher=[[Government of South Australia]] Land Services Group |title=Other information |url=http://www.placenames.sa.gov.au/pno/other.phtml?recno=SA0025397 |access-date=2006-10-22 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930203301/http://www.placenames.sa.gov.au/pno/other.phtml?recno=SA0025397 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-09-30}}</ref> but the mountain itself was called Berrin.  A sinkhole in the township was referred to as "thu-ghee".<ref name="Christina_smith">Christina Smith, ''[https://archive.org/details/booandiktribeso00smitgoog The Booandik Tribe of South Australian Aborigines: A Sketch of Their Habits, Customs, Legends, and Language]'', Spiller, 1880</ref>

The peak of the [[Dormant volcano|dormant]] Mount Gambier crater was sighted in 1800 by Lieutenant [[James Grant (navigator)|James Grant]] from the survey brig, [[HMS Lady Nelson (1798)|HMS Lady Nelson]], and named after Lord [[James Gambier]], Admiral of the Fleet. It was the first place named by the British in what was later to become the colony of South Australia. The peak is marked by Centenary Tower, built in 1901 to commemorate the first sighting by colonists.

In 1839, [[Stephen Henty]], one of the [[Henty brothers]] who occupied large landholdings at [[Portland, Victoria|Portland]] and [[Merino, Victoria|Merino]], led an overland expedition to explore the Mount Gambier region. He was the first white man to climb the peak and view the [[Blue Lake (South Australia)|blue crater lake]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Henty |first1=Richmond |title=Australiana |date=1886 |publisher=Sampson Low |location=London |url=https://digital.sl.nsw.gov.au/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?embedded=true&toolbar=false&dps_pid=IE4272040 |access-date=13 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713234400/https://digital.sl.nsw.gov.au/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?embedded=true&toolbar=false&dps_pid=IE4272040 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Henty brothers]] subsequently laid claim to Mount Gambier in 1842 and established a [[sheep station]] there.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84674835 |title=TO THE EDITORS OF THE COURIER AND TEETOTAL ADVOCATE. |newspaper=[[Launceston Courier]] |volume=II |issue=105 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=8 November 1842 |accessdate=9 July 2021 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102645/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/84674835 |url-status=live }}</ref> Conflict with the local Aboriginal residents quickly ensued that same year with Henty's men shooting a number and burning their corpses.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Robinson |first1=George Augustus |last2=Clark |first2=Ian D |title=Travels of George Augustus Robinson, Chief Protector, Port Phillip Aboriginal Protectorate |date=2014}}</ref> In March 1844, a band of Aboriginal people led by Koort Kirrup took a large number of Henty's sheep. Henty's men pursued and engaged them in a prolonged skirmish which resulted in the colonists having to retreat.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71628734 |title=PORTLAND BAY. |newspaper=[[Southern Australian]] |volume=VII |issue=509 |location=South Australia |date=2 April 1844 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102714/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71628734 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31742622 |title=Port Phillip Extracts. |newspaper=[[Morning Chronicle (Australian newspaper)|Morning Chronicle]] |volume=1 |issue=57 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 April 1844 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102704/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/31742622 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Other British pastoralists and their shepherds in the region were being robbed, speared and murdered by the local Aboriginal population and they proposed to form hunting parties to shoot them indiscriminately.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71629841 |title=Local News. |newspaper=[[Southern Australian]] |volume=VII |issue=549 |location=South Australia |date=20 August 1844 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102652/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71629841 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the Aboriginal population destroyed between 200 and 300 sheep, the Henty brothers were forced to abandon the Mount Gambier property later in 1844 with significant loss of capital.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27447142 |title=PORTLAND BAY |newspaper=[[South Australian Register]] |location=South Australia |date=15 May 1844 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102649/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27447142 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Evelyn Sturt]], the brother of the explorer [[Charles Sturt]] soon took up the leasehold, establishing himself at nearby Compton and bringing 500 cattle and 3000 sheep to pasture at Mount Gambier.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71630155 |title=Local News. |newspaper=[[Southern Australian]] |volume=VII |issue=560 |location=South Australia |date=27 September 1844 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102654/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71630155 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sturt claimed he was able to control the Bungandidj people by "a good rifle aimed by a correct eye".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64177603 |title=THE EARLY HISTORY OF MOUNT GAMBIER. |newspaper=[[The Register (Adelaide)]] |volume=LXXXVIII |issue=25,659 |location=South Australia |date=24 March 1923 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102711/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/64177603 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 1845, seven armed colonists pursued Aboriginal groups after livestock were taken.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71601614 |title=RIVOLI BAY. — DISCOVERY OF HARBOR. — ATTACK BY THE BLACK. |newspaper=[[The South Australian]] |volume=VIII |issue=629 |location=South Australia |date=27 May 1845 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102654/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71601614 |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 1845, the first police station at Mount Gambier was formed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71603579 |title=Local News. |newspaper=[[The South Australian]] |volume=VIII |issue=690 |location=South Australia |date=23 December 1845 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102659/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71603579 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1846, the [[South Australia Police|South Australian Mounted Police]] were involved in an affray with the Aboriginal people, shooting one and wounding another two.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3713867 |title=COLONIAL ABSTRACT. |newspaper=[[The Courier-Mail|The Moreton Bay Courier]] |volume=I |issue=3 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=4 July 1846 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102728/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3713867 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In 1847, Aboriginal people speared cattle and threatened to spear Sturt.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158924697 |title=LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. |newspaper=[[Adelaide Observer]] |volume=V |issue=215 |location=South Australia |date=7 August 1847 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102707/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/158924697 |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, Corporal McCulloch and his troopers went on a mission to disperse them.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article195935225 |title=MOUNT GAMBIER. |newspaper=[[South Australian Gazette and Mining Journal|South Australian Gazette And Colonial Register]] |volume=III |issue=112 |location=South Australia |date=21 August 1847 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111102656/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/195935225 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November, two police and three men tracked a group of Aboriginal people who had taken about 300 sheep to the coast. In their attempt to handcuff them, spears were thrown at them, and during the ensuring fight, four were shot dead.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226532965 |title=MOUNT GAMBIER. |newspaper=The Britannia And Trades' Advocate |volume=II |issue=99 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=18 November 1847 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

Industries soon began to appear. The Post Office opened on 22 September 1846,<ref name="a">{{cite web | last = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | url = http://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=SA&filter=*Mount*Gambier* | access-date = 21 January 2021}}</ref> an Afro-American named John Byng built the Mount Gambier Hotel in 1847,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90903754 |title=In Quest Of The South-East |newspaper=[[The Chronicle (South Australia)|Chronicle]] |volume=LXXIV |issue=3,935 |location=South Australia |date=5 May 1932 |accessdate=10 July 2021 |page=39 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and Dr Edward Wehl arrived in 1849 to begin a flour-milling operation.

[[File:Mitchells Hotel Mount Gambier 1856.jpg|thumb|Settlement of Gambierton in 1856 including Mitchell's Hotel]]
Hastings Cunningham founded "Gambierton" in 1854 by subdividing a block of {{convert|77|acre|ha}}. From 1861 to 1878, the Post Office was known by this name before reverting to Mount Gambier. Local government appeared in 1863 when Dr Wehl, who now owned a substantial millhouse on Commercial Road, was elected chairman of the District Council of Mount Gambier. In December 1864, this became the District Council of Mount Gambier West and, at the same time, a separate District Council of Mount Gambier East was formed.{{cn|date=October 2025}} 

Incorporation in 1876 saw a further division, with the creation of the town council and John Watson elected [[mayor]]. Mount Gambier was governed in this fashion until 1932, when the District Council of East and West merged to form a single District Council of Mount Gambier once more.{{cn|date=October 2025}} 

On 9 December 1954, Mount Gambier was officially declared a city.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/news/South-Australia/Mount-Gambier/2005/02/17/1108500204510.html smh.com.au] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102144321/http://www.smh.com.au/news/South-Australia/Mount-Gambier/2005/02/17/1108500204510.html |date=2 November 2012 }} – Travel / Mount Gambier(28 June 2008)</ref>

{{as of|October 2022}}, the town had not been officially [[dual-named]], but the lakes and several other culturally significant features of the location were given dual names in February 2022, and dual naming is being planned for the city, mostly likely as Berrin, the name by which it is known to the local Indigenous community.<ref name="Evans 2022">{{cite web | last=Evans | first=Jack D. | title=Iconic Mount Gambier landmarks to be dual-named with their European and Bunganditj names | website=ABC News| date=21 February 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-21/mount-gambiers-iconic-landmarks-to-be-dual-named/100846340 | access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref>

{{Historical populations
|type= Australia
|1921|3965
|1933|5542
|1947|6771
|1954|10331
|1961|15388
|1966|17251
|1971|17934
|1976|19292
|1981|19880
|1986|20813
|1991|21153
|1996|22037
|2001|22656
|2006|23494
|2011|27756
|2016|26148
|2021|26734
|source=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] data.<ref name="ABS Census data">{{cite web |title=Statistics by Catalogue Number |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ViewContent?readform&view=ProductsbyCatalogue&Action=Expand&Num=2.2 |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref><ref name="ABS Census data recent">{{cite web |title=Search Census data |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/search-by-area |access-date=26 August 2025}}</ref>
}}

==Geography==
[[File:Mt. Gambier, South Australia.jpg|thumb|Mount Gambier and region as seen from space]]
Mount Gambier's urban area is located mainly along the northern slopes and plain of a [[maar]] [[volcano]] of the same name, [[Mount Gambier (volcano)|Mount Gambier]]. Comprising several [[Volcanic crater|crater]]s, it is part of the [[Newer Volcanics Province]] complex of volcanoes. One of these contains a huge lake of high-quality [[Artesian aquifer|artesian]] drinking water which changes colour with the seasons. In winter, it is a steel grey and then changes to a spectacular [[cobalt (color)|cobalt blue]] in the summer, giving rise to its name, [[Blue Lake (South Australia)|Blue Lake]]. 

This {{convert|75|m|adj=on}} deep lake accommodates a range of unusual aquatic flora and fauna, in particular fields of large [[stromatolites]]. There are several other craters in the city including [[Valley Lake]] and the Leg of Mutton River. The region surrounding the city includes other volcanic features such as [[Mount Schank]], along with many [[karst]] features such as water-filled caves, cenotès and [[sinkhole]]s.

Mount Gambier’s urban area encompasses the City of Mount Gambier and parts of the District Council of Grant. The city’s metropolitan area includes the following suburbs: Mount Gambier CBD (inner-city suburb), [[Suttontown, South Australia|Suttontown]] (north-western suburb), [[Wandilo]] (north-western suburb), [[Mil-Lel]] (northern suburb), [[Worrolong]] (north-eastern suburb), [[Glenburnie, South Australia|Glenburnie]] (eastern suburb), [[Yahl]] (south-eastern suburb), [[Compton, South Australia|Compton]] (western suburb), [[Moorak]] (southern suburb), Square Mile (south-eastern suburb), and [[OB Flat]] (south-eastern suburb).<ref>{{cite web|title=Council Area Map|url=http://www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=446|publisher=District Council of Grant|access-date=30 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501170639/http://www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=446|archive-date=1 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Climate===
Mount Gambier has a [[mediterranean climate|temperate mediterranean climate (''Csb'')]], having mild to warm, dry summers with very cool mornings; mild springs and autumns with moderate rainfall; and cool winters with high rainfall. August is the wettest month, with an average of 100.4&nbsp;mm falling on 21 days; and February normally records the lowest rainfall, with an average of 25.7&nbsp;mm on 7 days. The highest temperature recorded in Mount Gambier was 45.9&nbsp;°C on 20 December 2019.<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/201401/html/IDCJDW5041.201401.shtml][[Bureau of Meteorology]]<span>, Mount Gambier, South Australia, January 2014 Daily Weather Observations</span> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201210352/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/201401/html/IDCJDW5041.201401.shtml|date=1 February 2014}} Accessed 2 February 2014.</ref> The lowest temperature recorded was −3.9&nbsp;°C on 20 June 1950 and 2 July 1960.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090321053817/http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/sa/mtgambier/climate.shtml Climate of Mount Gambier]. bom.gov.au</ref>

Mount Gambier is part of southern Australia which has seen substantial [https://www.bom.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-10/state-of-the-climate-2024.pdf decline in rainfall] in recent decades due to an [https://nespclimate.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ESCC-NESP-Southern-Australia-6pp-WEB.pdf expansion and strengthening] of the subtropical high pressure zone meaning that the present rainfall is almost certainly lower than the long term average.  

Mount Gambier has only 40.5 clear days on an annual basis.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090321053817/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_026020.shtml Climate statistics for Australian locations]. bom.gov.au</ref> Summer and annual mean temperatures are very cool for the latitude, being exposed to the ''[[Roaring Forties]]''. Extreme summer minima near {{convert|0|C|F}} are especially of note, as these are unheard-of in northern hemisphere locations at a similar latitude and near the coast at sea level. Snow can occasionally fall in the city with falls in 1951 and 1932.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78658363|title=Snow In Mount Gambier|website=[[Trove]]|date=9 August 1951 |access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref> Snow flakes were reported as falling in 1967 and also in 1986, the latter falling as part of the weather system which later brought [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-25/skiing-the-tasman-bridge-1986-big-snow-in-hobart/7651264 heavy snow to Hobart]. 

{{Weather box
|location = Mount Gambier Aero {{coord|37.75|S|140.77|E}}, elev. {{convert|63|m|ft|abbr=on}} (1991–2020, extremes 1942–2025)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = 
|Jan record high C = 44.1
|Feb record high C = 44.9
|Mar record high C = 41.3
|Apr record high C = 35.8
|May record high C = 28.5
|Jun record high C = 21.6
|Jul record high C = 22.4
|Aug record high C = 26.6
|Sep record high C = 32.2
|Oct record high C = 34.4
|Nov record high C = 41.2
|Dec record high C = 45.9
|Jan record low C = 1.4
|Feb record low C = 2.8
|Mar record low C = 0.0
|Apr record low C = -1.8
|May record low C = -2.8
|Jun record low C = -3.9
|Jul record low C = -3.9
|Aug record low C = -2.6
|Sep record low C = -3.4
|Oct record low C = -1.6
|Nov record low C = -0.8
|Dec record low C = 1.2
|Jan high C = 25.9
|Feb high C = 26.0
|Mar high C = 23.6
|Apr high C = 20.0
|May high C = 16.4
|Jun high C = 14.1
|Jul high C = 13.5
|Aug high C = 14.5
|Sep high C = 16.2
|Oct high C = 18.7
|Nov high C = 21.4
|Dec high C = 23.7
| year high C = 19.5
|Jan low C = 12.0
|Feb low C = 12.3
|Mar low C = 11.0
|Apr low C = 9.0
|May low C = 7.6
|Jun low C = 6.1
|Jul low C = 5.6
|Aug low C = 5.9
|Sep low C = 6.7
|Oct low C = 7.5
|Nov low C = 9.0
|Dec low C = 10.4
| year low C = 8.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 31.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 25.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 34.8
|Apr precipitation mm = 49.7
|May precipitation mm = 72.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 91.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 99.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 100.4
|Sep precipitation mm = 75.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 54.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 46.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 40.2
|year precipitation mm = 720.7
| unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 8.1
| Feb precipitation days = 7.1
| Mar precipitation days = 11.0
| Apr precipitation days = 14.1
| May precipitation days = 18.4
| Jun precipitation days = 20.0
| Jul precipitation days = 21.7
| Aug precipitation days = 21.0
| Sep precipitation days = 19.6
| Oct precipitation days = 15.4
| Nov precipitation days = 12.2
| Dec precipitation days = 11.4
| year precipitation days =180.0
|humidity colour = green
|Jan afthumidity = 44
|Feb afthumidity = 44
|Mar afthumidity = 47
|Apr afthumidity = 54
|May afthumidity = 67
|Jun afthumidity = 73
|Jul afthumidity = 72
|Aug afthumidity = 66
|Sep afthumidity = 63
|Oct afthumidity = 57
|Nov afthumidity = 51
|Dec afthumidity = 47
|Jan dew point C = 9.1
|Feb dew point C = 9.6
|Mar dew point C = 8.7
|Apr dew point C = 8.0
|May dew point C = 8.7
|Jun dew point C = 7.9
|Jul dew point C = 7.1
|Aug dew point C = 6.4
|Sep dew point C = 7.1
|Oct dew point C = 7.4
|Nov dew point C = 8.1
|Dec dew point C = 8.3
|Jan sun = 282.1
|Feb sun = 243.0
|Mar sun = 217.0
|Apr sun = 171.0
|May sun = 136.4
|Jun sun = 123.0
|Jul sun = 136.4
|Aug sun = 164.3
|Sep sun = 170.5
|Oct sun = 220.1
|Nov sun = 234.0
|Dec sun = 260.4
|Jand sun = 9.1
|Febd sun = 8.6
|Mard sun = 7.0
|Aprd sun = 5.7
|Mayd sun = 4.4
|Jund sun = 4.1
|Juld sun = 4.4
|Augd sun = 5.5
|Sepd sun = 6.0
|Octd sun = 7.1
|Novd sun = 7.8
|Decd sun = 8.4
|source 1 = [[Australian Bureau of Meteorology]] (sun 1966−2016)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_026021_All.shtml|title=Mount Gambier Aero - climate|publisher= [[Australian Bureau of Meteorology]] |access-date=6 June 2022 }}</ref>
}}

==Governance==
[[File:City of Mount Gambier headquarters.jpg|thumb|The City of Mount Gambier Council Chambers and offices]]
Mount Gambier is the [[seat of local government]] for the [[City of Mount Gambier]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/council_meetings.asp?id%3D33%26p%3D1 |title=City of Mount Gambier |access-date=2012-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419021500/http://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/council_meetings.asp?id=33&p=1 |archive-date=19 April 2013 }}</ref> The Council Chamber is in the Civic Centre at 10 Watson Terrace. In September 1875 a public meeting was held by ratepayers to discuss the creation of a municipality. The first town council was created on 25 May 1876 with local newspaper editor John Watson elected mayor. In 1932 the Town Council area was enlarged and the two surrounding district councils merged.

A declaration by Governor Sir Robert George on 9 December 1954 announced Mount Gambier was now a city. City status is achieved by reaching a population of 10,000 people. An Act of Parliament in 1953 changed the qualification from 20,000 residents to 10,000 residents.  The Town Council of Mount Gambier was assigned the new name The Corporation of the City of Mount Gambier and official celebrations were held on 17 January 1955.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hill |first=Les |title=Mount Gambier The City Around a Cave |publisher=Openbook Publishers |year=1972 |isbn=0-909378-48-7 |edition=1st |location=Adelaide South Australia |pages=74–83}}</ref>

The city consists of a mayor and ten [[councillor]]s, elected equally from the East and West [[ward (politics)|wards]] once every four years by [[postal voting]]. The Mayor of Mount Gambier council is Lynette Martin. The local government area is situated entirely within the [[District Council of Grant]] and due to the city's growth there have been ongoing talks of amalgamation, the most recent boundary changes taking place in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iken.collaborynth.com.au/consolidation-local-government-fresh-look-city-mount-gambier-and-district-council-grant |title=Consolidation in Local Government: A Fresh Look - City of Mount Gambier and District Council of Grant &#124; IKEN |access-date=2012-10-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230105027/http://iken.collaborynth.com.au/consolidation-local-government-fresh-look-city-mount-gambier-and-district-council-grant |archive-date=30 December 2012}}</ref>

Law and order for the Limestone Coast region is maintained via the Mount Gambier Police Complex at 42 Bay Road Mount Gambier, the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court at 41 Bay Road Mount Gambier and the [[Mount Gambier Prison]] at [[Moorak, South Australia|Moorak]] south of the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=Limestone Coast Local Service Area|url=http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/about_us/structure/regional_operations_service/limestone_coast_local_service_area.jsp|publisher=South Australia Police|access-date=23 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513112317/http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/about_us/structure/regional_operations_service/limestone_coast_local_service_area.jsp|archive-date=13 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mount Gambier (Magistrates Court)|url=http://www.courts.sa.gov.au/GoingtoCourt/CourtLocations/CountryCourts/Pages/Mount-Gambier-Magistrates-Court.aspx|publisher=Courts Administration Authority of South Australia|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730213358/http://www.courts.sa.gov.au/GoingtoCourt/CourtLocations/CountryCourts/Pages/Mount-Gambier-Magistrates-Court.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=MOUNT GAMBIER PRISON|url=http://www.corrections.sa.gov.au/prisons/mount-gambier-prison|publisher=corrections.sa.gov.au|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020032220/http://www.corrections.sa.gov.au/prisons/mount-gambier-prison|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In [[Government of South Australia|state politics]], Mount Gambier is located in the [[South Australian House of Assembly]] [[electoral district of Mount Gambier]], which has been held since 2014 by former Liberal Party member [[Troy Bell (politician)|Troy Bell]], who was re-elected as an independent in the [[2018 South Australian state election|2018 state election]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Independent MP Troy Bell holds Mt Gambier seat amid criminal charges|newspaper=News.com.au|date=17 March 2018|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/election-2018-independent-mp-troy-bell-holds-mt-gambier-seat-amid-criminal-charges/news-story/21bf9d42430500e58a78c589e96f0160|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328103040/http://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/election-2018-independent-mp-troy-bell-holds-mt-gambier-seat-amid-criminal-charges/news-story/21bf9d42430500e58a78c589e96f0160|url-status=live|last1=Castello|first1=Renato}}</ref>

Mount Gambier also has two local representatives in the State Parliament’s Legislative Council being Liberal [[Ben Hood]] and Labor’s [[Clare Scriven]].

In [[Politics of Australia|federal politics]], Mount Gambier is located in the [[Australian House of Representatives]] [[division of Barker]], which has been represented by [[Tony Pasin]] since 2013. It is a safe [[Liberal Party of Australia]] seat.

==Demographics==

In the 2021 Census, the population of the Mount Gambier census area was 26,878&nbsp;people, making it the largest urban area in the state outside [[Adelaide]]. Approximately 52% of the population were female, 82.8% were Australian born, over 91.5% of residents were Australian citizens and 2.8% were indigenous.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/POA5290 | title=2021 5290, SA, Census All persons QuickStats &#124; Australian Bureau of Statistics }}</ref>

The most popular industries for employment were Log Sawmilling and Timber Dressing (8%), School Education (4.8%) and Retail Trade (3.8%), while the unemployment rate is approx. 7%. The median weekly household income is A$814 or more per week, compared with $924 in Adelaide.<ref name="2006census">[http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/ViewData?action=404&documentproductno=425104620&documenttype=Details&order=1&tabname=Details&areacode=425104620&issue=2006&producttype=Census%20Tables&javascript=true&textversion=false&navmapdisplayed=true&breadcrumb=POTLD&&collection=Census&period=2006&productlabel=Religious%20Affiliation%20%28broad%20groups%29%20by%20Sex&producttype=Census%20Tables&method=Place%20of%20Usual%20Residence&topic=Religion& 2006 Census Table : Mount Gambier (C) (Statistical Local Area)]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Censusdata.abs.gov.au. Retrieved on 2012-06-27.</ref>

In the 2021 Census,<ref name="auto"/> 52.0% of residents identified themselves as having 'No Religion'. The largest religious denominations represented were [[Catholicism|Catholics]] at 14.4%, [[Anglican Church of Australia|Anglicans]] at 6.1%, and [[Uniting Church in Australia|Uniting Church]] at 4.3%.

A 1976 study found that less than 10 per cent (around 160 people) of residents aged over 65 had lived in the area for less than 5 years, leading to a lack of specific aged-care facilities.<ref>{{cite book
 | last = Radford
 | first = Anthony J.
 | contribution = Community Action: A Rural Survey and Its Outcome
 | editor-last = Howe
 | editor-first = Anna b.
 | title = Towards an older Australia: Readings in Social Gerontology
 | pages = 196–204
 | publisher = [[University of Queensland Press]]
 | year = 1981
 | location = St Lucia
 | isbn = 0-7022-1534-1}}</ref> The same source claimed "The government in the south-east area of the state, consisting of three local councils, amounted to a single administration. In consequence, many residents of Victoria used to look across the border to Mount Gambier as their centre. Consequently, during the 1970s many elderly locals relocated to [[Victor Harbor, South Australia|Victor Harbor]] and [[Moonta, South Australia|Moonta]], both rural areas but with more resources available to cope with an ageing population".

==Economy==
The economy of Mount Gambier is driven by all three [[economic sector]]s, though it has emerged as a regional [[service economy]] with its main industry being the [[service industry]] and its key areas of business including [[tourism]], [[hospitality]], [[retail]], [[professional services]], government administration and [[education]]. The city's historic [[primary sector]] roots including [[mining]], [[agriculture]] and [[forestry]] continue to play a key role as well as being a major [[road transport]] and trucking centre.

=== Tourism ===
<!---Umpherston Sinkhole / Balumbul redirects here--->
Mount Gambier is the major service centre for the region known as The [[Limestone Coast]]. The area has many natural attractions, including volcanic craters, lakes, limestone caves, sinkholes, underground aquifers and stunning Cenotès, surrounded by a city with a wide range of accommodation, shopping and entertainment opportunities. Tourism generates around $100 million for the Mount Gambier economy.<ref>[http://www.mountgambiertourism.com.au/industry_council.asp Mount Gambier Tourism] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217073222/http://www.mountgambiertourism.com.au/industry_council.asp |date=17 February 2011 }}. Mount Gambier Tourism. Retrieved on 2012-06-27.</ref> The city is a major accommodation gateway for the region. Major tourism attractions include the Blue Lake/Warwar, the crater lakes, and caves such as Umpherston Sinkhole / Balumbul, [[Cave Gardens (South Australia)|Cave Garden / Thugi]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Dual names for sites of cultural significance | website=City of Mount Gambier | date=16 February 2022 | url=https://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/news/dual-names-for-sites-of-cultural-significance | access-date=14 October 2022}}</ref> and [[Engelbrecht Cave]]. Engelbrecht Cave is a popular [[cave diving]] venue. The region around Mount Gambier also has many water-filled cenotès, [[caves]] and [[sinkhole]]s which attract cave divers from around the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Engelbrechts East Cave - 5L019 |url=http://www.divedoc.net/speleology/cave.asp?cave=12&location=1cave=12&location=1 |publisher=Richard "Harry" Harris |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723095625/http://www.divedoc.net/speleology/cave.asp?cave=12&location=1cave%3D12&location=1 |archive-date=23 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Engelbrechts West Cave 5L20 |url=http://www.divedoc.net/speleology/cave.asp?cave=37&location=1 |publisher=Richard "Harry" Harris |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723102604/http://www.divedoc.net/speleology/cave.asp?cave=37&location=1 |archive-date=23 July 2011 }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px" style="text-align:center">
File:Blue Lake, Mount Gambier, November 2018.jpg|[[Blue Lake / Warwar]]
File:Umpherston Sinkhole, Mount Gambier, November 2018.jpg |Umpherston Sinkhole / Balumbul
File:Engelbrecht Cave, Mount Gambier, November 2018.jpg|[[Engelbrecht Cave]]
</gallery>

{{Further2| [[Cave Divers Association of Australia# Sites#South Australia|Cave diving sites in the Limestone Coast region]]}}

===Service industries===
[[File:Mount Gambier Marketplace.jpg|thumb|Mount Gambier Marketplace, one of the three major shopping centres in Mount Gambier]]
As a major service centre for the region, the city has several key retail districts including the Commercial Street CBD. Mount Gambier Marketplace, opened in August 2012, is one of three major shopping centres in the city, the other two being Mount Gambier Central (formerly known as Centro Mount Gambier) and Coles shopping complex on Ferrers Street, which was opened in December 2020.

== Arts and culture ==
[[File:Main Corner Mount Gambier.jpg|thumb|Main Corner and former town hall]]
The city's [[civic centre]] is in the refurbished and extended old town hall and [[mechanics' institute|Institute]] buildings. A [[movie theater|cinema]] was operated in the early 1950s in this building by [[D. Clifford Theatres]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Mount Gambier Institute in Mount Gambier, AU | website=Cinema Treasures  | url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/35569 | access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>

Located around Cave Gardens, is the hub of the city's arts and includes the Riddoch Art Gallery, South Australia's major regional art gallery. It also houses the [[University of South Australia]]'s James Morrison Academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riddochartgallery.org.au/|title=Riddoch Art Gallery|work=riddochartgallery.org.au|access-date=18 October 2012|archive-date=26 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126150003/http://www.riddochartgallery.org.au/|url-status=live}}</ref> The complex was extended in 2011 to include "The Main Corner", a modern building which includes a theatre. Nearby are the public library, a cafe next to the library and the old post office.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

===Music===
Every year the town and the surrounding area, hosts nearly 7,000 secondary school musicians for the [[Generations In Jazz|Generations in Jazz Festival]]. Jazz artists like [[James Morrison (musician)|James Morrison]], Ross Irwin, and [[Graeme Lyall]] travel to perform and adjudicate the stage band competition. Special guests have included [[Gordon Goodwin]] and his [[Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band|Big Phat Band]], [[Wycliffe Gordon|Whycliffe Gordon]] and recently (2017) the [[Adelaide Symphony Orchestra]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.generationsinjazz.com.au/2016-lineup/ |title=2017 Lineup &#124; Generations in Jazz &#124; Mount Gambier &#124; South Australia |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731200632/https://www.generationsinjazz.com.au/2016-lineup/ |archive-date=31 July 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Notable buildings==
===St Andrew's Church ===
St Andrew's Presbyterian Church was built in 1871 in [[Gothic Revival]] style. Its spire has been rebuilt or repaired several times: in 1885, 1897 (after it was damaged in an earthquake), 1928, and again in 1980. The building was renamed St Andrew's Uniting Church after a merger of several denominations, and was inscribed on the [[South Australian Heritage Register]]. Owing to the escalating costs of repairs, the church voted in October 2025 to sell the building, and the congregation will worship in another venur from January 2026.<ref name=church>{{cite web |last=Boisvert |first=Eugene |title=Mount Gambier's St Andrew's Uniting Church to be sold due to steeple repair cost |website=ABC News |date=26 October 2025 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-26/mount-gambier-uniting-church-to-be-sold-steeple-repair-cost/105914782?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other |access-date=26 October 2025}}</ref>

== Media ==
=== Newspapers ===
The local newspaper for Mount Gambier, Limestone Coast and South East region of South Australia is ''[[The Border Watch]]''. It is published and available in the local area every Tuesday through Friday (with the exception of some public holidays such as Christmas Day). Daily newspapers from Melbourne (''[[Herald Sun]]'' and ''[[The Age]]'') and Adelaide (''[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]]'') as well as national newspapers such as ''[[The Australian]]'' and ''[[Australian Financial Review]]'' are also available. Some newspapers from nearby towns such as [[Millicent, South Australia|Millicent]] and [[Penola, South Australia|Penola]], specialty newspapers like the British ''[[International Express]]'' weekly newspaper, agricultural newspapers such as ''The Weekly Times'' newspaper from Victoria and ''The South Australian Stock Journal'' (published by [[Australian Community Media]]) and ''[[The Independent Weekly]]'' from Adelaide are also available from local newsagents.

Historically, the town was served by multiple newspapers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jaunay.com/newspapersse.html|title=Newspapers in the South East district of South Australia|website=www.jaunay.com|access-date=2018-03-05|archive-date=30 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130230514/http://www.jaunay.com/newspapersse.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Two earlier papers, the biweekly ''Mount Gambier Standard'' (3 May 1866 – 1874),<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/13526415|title=The Mount Gambier standard|date=1866|publisher=Mount Gambier, S. Aust. : Theophilus Skilton Carey}}</ref> and the ''South Eastern Star'' (2 October 1877 – 13 October 1930), were taken over by ''The Border Watch''. Another, the ''South-Eastern Ensign'' (2 July 1875 – 30 June 1876), was also briefly printed. Later, a free commercial paper, the ''Exchange'' (1902 – 8 October 1942) ran in opposition to the ''Watch'', and was published by the Clark family. However, it ceased when the Second World War caused paper restrictions and a decline in advertising.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au/record=b1191677~S7|title=The Exchange [newspaper: microform]|date=1902|publisher=H. Chaston|location=Mount Gambier, S. Aust|access-date=5 March 2018|archive-date=7 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507162237/https://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au/record=b1191677~S7|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Television===
* The [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) – ABC, [[ABC Family (Australian TV channel)|ABC Family]]/[[ABC Kids (Australia)|ABC Kids]], [[ABC Entertains]], [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] (digital channels)
* The [[Special Broadcasting Service]] (SBS) – SBS, [[SBS Viceland]], [[SBS World Movies]], [[SBS Food]], [[SBS WorldWatch]], [[National Indigenous Television|NITV]] (digital channels)
* [[WIN Television]] (7, 9 & 10) as [[SES/RTS|SES-8]] and [[MGS/LRS|MGS-41]] – SES-8 relays the programming from [[Seven Network]] (Seven SA), [[Nine Network]] (Nine SA) & [[Network 10]] (10 SA).
* [[Foxtel]] – Subscription Television service [[Foxtel]] is also available via satellite.

Channel Nine broadcasts Nine Network programming, [[Seven Network|Channel Seven]] broadcast Seven Network programming & WIN Television broadcasts Network 10 programming. The programming schedules for these channels is the same as [[NWS (TV station)|Channel Nine]], [[SAS (TV station)|Channel Seven]] and [[ADS (TV station)|Channel 10]] in Adelaide, with local commercials inserted on SDS/RDS and LGS/LRS and some variations for coverage of [[Australian Football League]] or [[National Rugby League]] matches, state and national news and current affairs programs, some lifestyle and light entertainment shows and infomercials. As of February 2013, there are no local news programs for the Mount Gambier area since the closure of WIN Television's news operation. WIN Television also broadcasts [[Sky News Australia|Sky News Regional]] programming, the programming schedule for these multichannel is the same as [[Sky News Australia]] and [[Fox Sports News (Australia)|Fox Sports News]], with local commercials inserted. SES/RTS, since 30 June 2024, took a direct [[dirty feed]] of SAS-7 Adelaide, after WIN ended its local advertising agreement with the Seven Network.

On 11 November 2011, WIN Television commenced transmission of the digital TV multi-channels [[10 Drama]], [[10 Comedy]], [[9Go!]], [[9Gem]], [[7two]] (an acronym of "72") and [[7mate]] for Mount Gambier and the surrounding South East region of South Australia.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171011011117/http://www.wintv.com.au/uploads/files/Multichannel+announcement(1).pdf Get ready for multichannels in regional SA]. wintv.com.au</ref>

Due to the close proximity to the Victoria/South Australia state border, most people in Mount Gambier and some adjacent areas of southeast South Australia can receive television services from Western Victoria. These channels are broadcast from the Mount Dundas transmitter near the town of [[Cavendish, Victoria]]. The transmitter site is located approximately 100 kilometres northeast of Mount Gambier and broadcasts all the television channels from Western Victoria including [[Seven Network|Seven Regional Victoria]] ([[AMV (TV station)|AMV]]), [[WIN Television]]'s [[Nine Network|Nine]] Victoria ([[VTV (TV station)|VTV]]), [[Network 10]] ([[GLV/BCV|BCV]]), the ABC and SBS Victorian services, as well as the digital free-to-air multi-channels that are also now available from the Mount Burr transmitter, north west of Mount Gambier. 

As of 16 June 2025, reception of Western Victoria (Ballarat) TV services from Mount Dundas will be the only way Mount Gambier residents will be able to pick up terrestrial [[Seven Network]] broadcasts, after WIN Television announced it would cease local transmissions of its Seven Network services in Mount Gambier and surrounding areas, including Loxton, beginning 1 July 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knox |first1=David |title=WIN to cease broadcast of Seven in select regional markets {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2025/06/win-to-cease-broadcast-of-seven-in-select-regional-markets.html |access-date=17 June 2025 |work=https://tvtonight.com.au |date=16 June 2025 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

As of 3 July 2025, WIN Television resumed it's local transmission of the [[Seven Network]] service into Mount Gambier region.

=== Radio ===
;ABC
* [[ABC South East SA]] (1476 AM)
* [[ABC South East SA]] (1161 AM, Naracoorte)
* [[Triple J|ABC Triple J]] (102.5 FM)
* [[Radio National|ABC Radio National]] (103.3 FM)
* [[ABC Classic FM]] (104.1 FM)
* [[ABC NewsRadio]] (105.7 FM)
;Commercial
* [[RadioTAB|Radio TAB]]
* [[Triple M|Triple M Limestone Coast]] (90.5 FM) (formerly Triple M 963)
* [[SAFM]] (96.1 FM) (formerly Hit 96.1)
* 5GTR FM (100.1 FM)
* LIME FM (104.9 FM) (Formerly [[Rhema FM]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhemafmlive.com.au// |title=0407 8 RHEMA |work=rhemafmlive.com.au |access-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822170535/http://www.rhemafmlive.com.au// |archive-date=22 August 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhemafmlive.com.au/content/what-is-rhema-fm-live.php |title=Rhema FM Live, Christian Radio Station for Mount Gambier and the Limestone Coast of Australia |access-date=2010-05-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111085723/http://www.rhemafmlive.com.au/content/what-is-rhema-fm-live.php |archive-date=11 January 2010 }}</ref>

Some ABC radio services can also be received from the nearby town of Naracoorte and from Western Victoria.

== Sport ==
[[File:Vansittart Park, Mount Gambier (2016).jpg|thumb|Vansittart Park, home of the [[North Gambier Football Club]]]]
There are four [[Australian rules football]] teams competing in the [[Limestone Coast Football Netball League]]: [[North Gambier Football Club|North Gambier]], [[East Gambier Football Club|East Gambier]], [[South Gambier Football Club|South Gambier]] and West Gambier. They have produced such AFL players as [[David Marshall (Australian footballer)|David Marshall]], [[Nick Daffy]], [[Matthew Clarke (Australian footballer)|Matthew Clarke]], [[Tim O'Brien (footballer)|Tim O'Brien]] and [[Brad Close]]. Notable AFLW players include: [[Jenna McCormick (Australian Footballer and Australian Soccer Player)|Jenna McCormick]].

There is also a range of different sporting leagues and clubs in Mount Gambier and surrounding regions, including soccer, netball, basketball, tennis, hockey, cricket, swimming, volleyball, cycling, triathlon,<ref name=catc>[http://www.mgcatc.com/ Mount Gambier Cycling and Triathlon Club] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610033436/http://www.mgcatc.com/ |date=10 June 2009 }}. Mgcatc.com. Retrieved on 2012-06-27.</ref> rifle, gun and pistol shooting, lawn bowls, ten-pin bowling, angling, archery and golf.<ref>[http://www.mtgambiergc.com.au/ Mount Gambier Golf Club] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120011728/http://www.mtgambiergc.com.au/ |date=20 November 2008 }}. Mtgambiergc.com.au. Retrieved on 2012-06-27.</ref>

Motor sport is also popular, with the main facilities being the [[McNamara Park]] road racing circuit, and the [[Borderline Speedway]], a {{convert|372|m|yd|adj=on}} [[Dirt track racing|dirt track]] oval speedway nicknamed "The Bullring". Borderline Speedway hosts an annual [[Sprint car racing|Sprintcar]] event called the "[[Kings Challenge]]", first run in 1995 and is held in January each year a week before the [[Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic]] in nearby [[Warrnambool]] ([[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]]), and two weeks before the [[Australian Sprintcar Championship]]. Borderline has played host to many Australian and South Australian speedway championships throughout its over 50-year history and is regarded as one of the best run and promoted speedways in Australia. The speedway is currently managed and promoted by former star sprintcar driver, Mount Gambier native Bill Barrows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.borderlinespeedway.com/|title=Home - Borderline Speedway Mount Gambier|work=borderlinespeedway.com|access-date=26 February 2014|archive-date=17 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517071724/http://borderlinespeedway.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, Borderline hosted the fifth and final round of the [[Australian Individual Speedway Championship|Australian Solo Championship]]. The round and the championship was won by Australia's own [[2006 Speedway Grand Prix|reigning]] [[Speedway World Championship|World Champion]] [[Jason Crump]].

Mount Gambier is the home of "The Alex Roberts 100 Mile Classic", a cycling event that lays claim to the longest continuing open cycling event in South Australia. The event held annually by the Mount Gambier Cycling Club.<ref name=catc/>

The Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club hold [[Greyhound racing in Australia|greyhound racing meetings]] at a purpose-built complex called the Tara Raceway, at 161 Lake Terrace East. The Club moved from Glenburnie Racecourse in late 1996 and held its first meeting on Saturday 25 January 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mountgambiergreyhounds.com.au/track-history|title=Track History|date=September 2014|publisher=Mount Gambier Greyhounds|access-date=13 March 2021|archive-date=12 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312081450/https://www.mountgambiergreyhounds.com.au/track-history|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Mount Gambier Gift ===
The 120m Mount Gambier Gift was held annually on the first Saturday in December at Vansittart Oval was the 2nd richest professional footrace in South Australia. Resurrected in 2001 the athletic carnival includes races from 70m to 1600m and attracts athletes from all over Australia, mostly from South Australia and Victoria. Of the eleven Mount Gambier athletic carnivals held to date, three Victorians have won the 120&nbsp;m Gift. On 3 December 2011, 21-year-old Wallace Long-Scafidi won the Gift for the second year in a row.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/12/06/3085437.htm |title=Long-Scafidi wins best gift in history |date=6 December 2010 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Authority]] |work=ABC News Online |access-date=6 December 2010 |archive-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112040304/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/12/06/3085437.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The race has not been held since 2012, and to this date continues to go unheld.<ref>[http://www.borderwatch.com.au/story/1149481/gift-carnival-scrapped/ The Gift Carnival scrapped.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313054221/http://www.borderwatch.com.au/story/1149481/gift-carnival-scrapped/ |date=13 March 2016 }} ''[[The Border Watch]]'', 27 November 2012. Accessed 5 August 2013.</ref>

{|class="sortable wikitable"
|+ Active sports teams in Mount Gambier <!-- sorted by date established -->
|-
! Club
! League
! Sport
! Venue
! Established
|-
! Apollo FC
| LCFA
| [[Association football|Soccer]]
| Hastings Cunningham Reserve
| 1970
|-
! Blue Lake Rangers FC
| LCFA
| [[Association football|Soccer]]
| Malseed Park
| 1956
|-
! Blue Lake Knights
| [[NRL Victoria|Greater Western Premiership]]
| [[Rugby League]]
| Apollo Soccer Ground
| 2017
|-
! [[East Gambier Football Club]]
| [[Limestone Coast Football Netball League|LCFNL]]
| [[Australian Rules Football]]
| McDonald Park
| 1938
|-
! Gambier Centrals FC
| LCFA
| [[Association football|Soccer]]
| Bishop Road
| 1961
|-
! International FC
| LCFA
| [[Association football|Soccer]]
| Casadio Park
| 1958
|-
! [[Mount Gambier Pioneers]]
| [[NBL1 South]]
| [[Basketball]]
| Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre
| 1988
|-
! [[North Gambier Football Club]]
| [[Limestone Coast Football Netball League|LCFNL]]
| [[Australian Rules Football]]
| Vansittart Park
| 1926
|-
! [[South Gambier Football Club]]
| [[Limestone Coast Football Netball League|LCFNL]]
| [[Australian Rules Football]]
| Blue Lake Sports Park
| 1926
|-
! West Gambier Football Club
| [[Limestone Coast Football Netball League|LCFNL]]
| [[Australian Rules Football]]
| Malseed Park
| 1938
|}

== Infrastructure ==
=== Health ===
The city has a major regional hospital, Mount Gambier Hospital out of which operates the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service. A Medicare Urgent Care Clinic opened in November 2023 at 13 Crouch Street South offering [[Bulk_billing|Bulk-billed]] urgent but not life threatening health care.<ref>{{cite web |title=Medicare Urgent Care Clinic - Mount Gambier - Country SA PHN |url=https://www.countrysaphn.com.au/medicare-urgent-care-clinic-in-mount-gambier/ |website=Country SA PHN |access-date=6 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=From sprains to sniffles – new walk-in medical clinic kept busy {{!}} The SE Voice |url=https://sevoice.com.au/from-sprains-to-sniffles-new-walk-in-medical-clinic-kept-busy/ |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=The SE Voice |date=22 November 2023 |language=en-AU}}</ref> The 20-bed Mount Gambier Private Hospital was dissolved in 2021 and was transitioned into the public system where it was co-located.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mayers |first1=Laura |title=Mount Gambier Private Hospital to transition to public service |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-10/mount-gambier-private-hospital-to-close/100364150# |access-date=6 February 2024 |work=ABC News |date=10 August 2021 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

=== Education ===
There are six Reception to Year 6 (R-6) Primary schools:
*Reidy Park Primary School;
*McDonald Park;
*Compton Primary School;
*Melaleuca Park;
*Mulga Street Primary School;
*Mount Gambier North Primary School.

There are two Reception to Year 12 (R–12) colleges:
* [[Tenison Woods College]]
* St Martins Lutheran College.

There are two high schools for Year 7 to 12:
* Mount Gambier High School
* [[Grant High School (Mount Gambier)|Grant High School]].

Post-secondary education is offered by the following providers:
* [[TAFE South Australia]] has a campus in Mount Gambier providing an extensive variety of vocational study.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mount Gambier Campus Courses|url=http://www.tafesa.edu.au/campuses/southern-regions/mount-gambier/mount-gambier-courses|publisher=TAFE SA|access-date=11 March 2014|archive-date=11 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311121721/http://www.tafesa.edu.au/campuses/southern-regions/mount-gambier/mount-gambier-courses|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[University of South Australia]] has a modern, state of the art campus in Mount Gambier which offers full-time or part-time undergraduate degrees in Education, Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work with enabling courses in Foundation Studies and Aboriginal Pathways Program also offered.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mount Gambier Regional Centre|url=https://www.unisa.edu.au/Campus-Facilities/Maps-Tours/Mount-Gambier-Regional-Centre/|publisher=University of South Australia|access-date=11 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311104825/https://www.unisa.edu.au/Campus-Facilities/Maps-Tours/Mount-Gambier-Regional-Centre/|archive-date=11 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[Flinders University]] also operates Flinders Rural Health SA in the grounds of Mount Gambier Hospital.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bachelor of Forest Science and Management|url=http://scu.edu.au/coursesin2014/?action=matrix&command=matrix_temp_load&spk_no=10164|publisher=Southern Cross University|access-date=11 March 2014|archive-date=10 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410141328/http://www.scu.edu.au/coursesin2014/?action=matrix&command=matrix_temp_load&spk_no=10164|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Flinders University Rural Clinical School|url=http://som.flinders.edu.au/FUSA/GP-Evidence/rural/about/location.htm|publisher=Flinders University|access-date=11 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330041137/http://som.flinders.edu.au/FUSA/GP-Evidence/rural/about/location.htm|archive-date=30 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Transport ==
Mount Gambier sits on a number of highways which connect the city to other major towns in the region, as well as to Adelaide and Melbourne.
* [[Princes Highway]] ''(Jubilee Highway)'' travels through the city east to west.
** {{AUshield|SA|A1|size=30px}} to [[Melbourne]] via [[Dartmoor, Victoria|Dartmoor]], [[Portland, Victoria|Portland]] and [[Warrnambool]]
** {{AUshield|SA|B1|size=30px}} to Adelaide via [[Millicent, South Australia|Millicent]], [[Kingston SE]] and [[Meningie, South Australia|Meningie]]
* [[Riddoch Highway]] ''(Penola / Bay Road)'' travels through the city north to south.
** {{AUshield|SA|A66|size=30px}} to Adelaide via [[Naracoorte, South Australia|Naracoorte]] and [[Keith, South Australia|Keith]]
** {{AUshield|SA|B66|size=30px}} to [[Port Macdonnell]]

Before conversion of the [[Adelaide–Wolseley railway line]] to standard gauge in 1995, [[Mount Gambier railway station|Mount Gambier]] was connected to Adelaide on the [[Irish gauge|broad gauge network]] via [[Naracoorte, South Australia|Naracoorte]], [[Bordertown railway station|Bordertown]] and [[Tailem Bend railway station|Tailem Bend]]. Normal commercial passenger services to Adelaide ceased on 31 December 1990, while limited freight services operated until the line was disconnected from the national network on 12 April 1995. [[Limestone Coast Railway]] operated tourist trains to Coonawarra, Penola, Millicent, Tantanoola and Rennick until it ceased on 28 June 2006.<ref>Farewell to LCR Trains ''[[Catch Point (periodical)|Catch Point]]'' issue 174 July 2006 page 28</ref><ref>Limestone Coast Railway closes ''[[Railway Digest]]'' January 2008 page 7</ref> In 2015, the former railyards were removed and converted into a park.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

[[Mount Gambier Airport]] is located a few kilometres north of the city via the Riddoch Highway.<ref>{{cite web|title=Airport |url=http://www.dcgrant.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=363 |publisher=District Council of Grant |access-date=23 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816023955/http://dcgrant.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=363 |archive-date=16 August 2013 }}</ref> The city is served by [[Rex Airlines]], which flies [[Saab 340]] aircraft to [[Adelaide]] and [[Melbourne]] up to three times per day. Since March 2021, [[Qantas]] operates one daily flight to and from Adelaide and Melbourne using [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8]] aircraft in [[QantasLink]] livery.

[[Stateliner]] operate coach services to Mount Gambier from [[Adelaide Central bus station|Adelaide]].<ref>[https://stateliner.com.au/wp-content/uploads/southeast-300620.pdf Mount Gambier - Adelaide timetable] [[Stateliner]] 30 June 2020</ref> [[V/Line]] operates a daily interstate coach service from Mount Gambier to [[Warrnambool railway station|Warrnambool]], connecting with a rail service to [[Southern Cross railway station|Melbourne]].<ref>[https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/1767 Mount Gambier - Melbourne via Warrnambool & Geelong] [[Public Transport Victoria]]</ref>

== Notable people ==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER BY SURNAME! -->
* [[Kai Allen]] (born there in 2005), racing driver
* [[Kasey Chambers]], (born there in 1976)<ref name="SMH 2009">{{cite news|author=Sams, Christine|title=Kasey tunes up to become queen of the kids|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 October 2009|access-date=23 August 2012|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/books/kasey-tunes-up-to-become-queen-of-the-kids/2009/10/17/1255624772612.html|archive-date=7 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107210035/http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/books/kasey-tunes-up-to-become-queen-of-the-kids/2009/10/17/1255624772612.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[George Crennan]], Director of the Federal Catholic Immigration Office in Australia from 1949 until 1995
* [[Gavin Wanganeen]], (AFL Footballer) (born there in 1973)
* [[Elizabeth Grant (architect and anthropologist)|Elizabeth Grant]], (born there in 1963 and lived there until 1980).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellows/detail/3274/elizabeth+grantwww.churchilltrust.com.au |title= Dr Elizabeth Grant Churchill Fellowship 'Investigate the design of correctional facilities for Indigenous prisoners - New Zealand, Canada, Denmark' |access-date= 6 January 2015 |archive-date= 5 January 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150105160654/https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellows/detail/3274/elizabeth+grantwww.churchilltrust.com.au |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Byrnes|first=Holly|date=6 July 2014|title=Stellar cast promises plenty of tension between rival teams and ratings gold for The Amazing Race|work= The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bracken|first=Amy|year=2014|title=Media Kit The Amazing Race Australia vs. New Zealand|publisher=Seven West Media|url=http://www.sevenwestmedia.com.au/docs/default-source/business-unit-news/the-amazing-race-australia-v-new-zealand.pdf|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818154556/http://sevenwestmedia.com.au/docs/default-source/business-unit-news/the-amazing-race-australia-v-new-zealand.pdf|archive-date=18 August 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>Koufos, Natalie, (30 July 2014). 'Mother and Son to take on the World' The Courier p.10</ref><ref>Who Magazine (11 August 2013)'The Amazing Race' Who Magazine p.83</ref>
* [[Dave Graney]], (born there in 1959 and lived there until 1978)<ref name="McF">{{Cite encyclopedia | last1 = McFarlane | first1 = Ian | author-link1 = Ian McFarlane | encyclopedia = [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] | title = Encyclopedia entry for 'Dave Graney 'n' the Coral Snakes' | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040930220707/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=853 | url = http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=853 | archive-date = 30 September 2004 | access-date = 30 December 2010 | orig-year = 1999 | year= 2004 | publisher = [[Allen & Unwin]] | location = [[St Leonards, New South Wales|St Leonards, NSW]] | isbn = 1-86508-072-1 }} Note: [On-line] version updated from 1999 book.</ref>
* [[Mark Yeates (Australian rules footballer)|Mark Yeates]], (AFL Footballer) (born there 1960)
* [[Robert Helpmann]] (Sir) (1909–1986)<ref>{{cite book|last=Sexton|first=Christopher|title=Helpmann, Sir Robert Murray (1909–1986)|chapter=Sir Robert Murray Helpmann (1909–1986) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/helpmann-sir-robert-murray-12620|publisher=Australian Dictionary of Biography|access-date=10 May 2013|archive-date=18 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518142216/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/helpmann-sir-robert-murray-12620|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[David Marshall (Australian footballer)|David Marshall]], (Australian footballer with the Adelaide Crows in the AFL, Glenelg in the SANFL, North Gambier in the WBFL)
* [[Tony Pasin]], politician<ref>[http://www.liberal.org.au/member/tony-pasin Tony Pasin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309024533/https://www.liberal.org.au/member/tony-pasin |date=9 March 2021 }}. Liberal Party of Australia. Retrieved 2 October 2013.</ref>
* [[Allan Scott (businessman)|Allan Scott]], businessman<ref>[http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/magnate-allan-scott-dies/story-e6freco3-1111117876821 Mt Gambier business magnate Allan Scott dies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905043756/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/magnate-allan-scott-dies/story-e6freco3-1111117876821 |date=5 September 2012 }} ''The Advertiser'', 27 October 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2013.</ref>
* [[James Stein]], pioneer overlander and pastoralist, died and buried there in 1877.
* [[John Tremelling]], sports shooter.<ref name="SportsRef">{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/tr/john-tremelling-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418060938/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/tr/john-tremelling-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2020 |title=John Tremelling |access-date=30 June 2015 |work=Sports Reference}}</ref>
* [[Josip Skoko]], Socceroo – 51 Caps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/ex-red-cristiano-out-to-make-mt-gambier-a-soccer-satellite/story-fndkzvnd-1226628977130|title=Mt Gambier can be soccer satellite|work=[[News.com.au]]|access-date=13 January 2017|archive-date=22 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622131646/http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/ex-red-cristiano-out-to-make-mt-gambier-a-soccer-satellite/story-fndkzvnd-1226628977130|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[William Paltridge]], politician.
* [[Matthew Clarke (Australian footballer)|Matthew Clarke]], Australian Footballer
* [[Nick Daffy]], Australian Footballer
* [[Lucas Herbert (footballer)|Lucas Herbert]], Australian Footballer
* [[Simon Feast]], Australian Footballer
* [[Gary Lazarus]], Australian Footballer
* [[Tim O'Brien (footballer)|Tim O'Brien]], Australian Footballer
* [[Brad Close]], Australian Footballer
* [[Ben Hood]], politician

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Mount Gambier}}
*{{wikivoyage-inline|Mount Gambier}}
*[http://www.mountgambier.sa.gov.au/ City of Mount Gambier]
*[https://visitmountgambier.com.au/ Visit Mount Gambier - Mount Gambier traveller website]

{{South Australia}}
{{Cities of Australia}}
{{Limestone Coast}}
{{City of Mount Gambier localities|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Mount Gambier, South Australia| ]]
[[Category:Cities in South Australia]]
[[Category:Limestone Coast|Mount Gambier]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1854]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Australia]]