Cave Gardens

Cave Gardens is a landscaped sinkhole garden in central Mount Gambier, South Australia, at the corner of Watson Terrace and Commercial Street East. The site is a collapsed limestone cave about 27 metres deep, transformed into terraced gardens with ferns, hydrangeas and roses. State Heritage-listed, it is notable for its dramatic sinkhole walls, viewing platforms, stairs to the garden floor and nightly illuminated display in the city centre.

Visitors can expect a large open sinkhole in the centre of the city with terraced garden beds on the floor and walls, accessed via stairs from street level. Upper viewing platforms and balconies provide overlooks into the sinkhole. The garden features lawns, seasonal floral displays, ferns and lighting infrastructure. At night the sinkhole is illuminated with a coloured light display. The site is an open public space surrounded by commercial buildings, the library and civic precinct.

The cave was originally a natural water source and early water supply for the Mount Gambier settlement. From the late 19th century it was developed as a public garden, with formal landscaping undertaken in the 20th century. The site is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register for its geological significance as a sinkhole and its historical association with the town's development.

Cave Gardens is a central civic landmark and community gathering place for Mount Gambier, representing the city's distinctive sinkhole landscape. It serves as a public garden, event space and visitor attraction that reflects local identity tied to the Limestone Coast karst environment.