NHILL - SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Port MacDonnell is located on the Southern Ocean south of Mount Gambier on Alt. Highway (1)between Mount Gambier and Nelson in the South East of the state It is one of the 'Southern Ports'. 480km. from Adelaide The most southerly port in South Australia, and a base for a large lobster fleet, Port MacDonnell was first sighted by Lieutenant Grant in 1800. At nearby Cape Northumberland, the lighthouse (1882) is South Australia's most southerly light.
Port MacDonnell was once the home of poet Adam Lindsay Gordon and his cottage 'Dingley Dell' is restored and now an historic museum run by the National Trust. It is open for inspection and contains works and memorabilia of this outstanding poet and horseman.
On the foreshore the imposing Customs House (1860) still dominates the skyline and opposite, along the shore, are maritime artefacts, some from the 50 or so ships wrecked on reefs in the vicinity. Just north is Allendale East, which has a sink-hole in the middle of the road. Mount Schank, just north again, is the youngest intact volcano crater in Australia (last eruption 2,000 years ago) and the Little Blue Lake, 3km. west of the Mount Gambier Road is well worth a visit and a photograph.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • 'Dingley Dell'
    Once home of poet Adam Lindsay Gordon
  • Ewans Ponds:
    Sink holes between Port macDonnell and Nelson
  • Fish Farm:
    On the Nelson Road. Has fresh fish and yabbies.
  • Little Blue Lake
    Mini version of the Blue Lake. Near Mount Schank.
  • Maritime Museum: 08 8738 7259
    Artefacts from shipwrecks sunk off Port MacDonnell between 1844 and 1947. In the former District Council Offices. A park on the foreshore opposite has many anchors and artefacts as well.
  • Mount Schank Walk
    On the Mount Gambier Rd Mount Schank summit provides excellent views
    ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:


    USE ACCOMMODATION SEARCH
    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    The Lady Nelson Interpretive and Information Centre
    Jubilee Highway East. Mt Gambier. SA 5290
    Ph: 08 8724 1730. Toll Free: 1800 087 187
    HOW TO GET THERE:

    PLANE: Mount Gambier has a domestic airport located just north of the town and regular flights operate from Adelaide and Melbourne.
    COACH: Coaches operate to and from Mount Gambier on a daily basis.
    RAIL: The rail service to the South East was abandoned several years ago.
    CAR: Via the Princes Highway between Adelaide and Melbourne, the Hamilton and Glenelg Highways from Ballarat or Geelong, the Wimmera Highway from Horsham to near Penola, or the alternative and popular route from Keith, via Naracoorte and Penola. Turn south at Mt Gambier on the Port MacDonnell Rd. through Allendale East.
    • © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins 2006