Mount Gambier, SA 5290

If you're looking for a combination of city facilities and small town charm, look no further.

Mount Gambier has most major outlets while maintaining the feel of a country town. Suburbia can be driven from end to end in 10 minutes, before switching to rural living. all the comforts you want, with the attractive rural backdrop.

Mount Gambier is a tourist destination for those driving between Melbourne and Adelaide, with many hotels and motels spread throughout town as well as natural attractions in the Blue Lake and sinkholes, restaurants and a large tourist information centre.

The main drawback is the trucking traffic. As a major stop halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide, with logging trucks ferrying the produce of the Mount Gambier pine plantations, truck traffic is high.

I have lived in nearly every state of Australia, in both capital cities and large country towns. After a change in profession I moved to Mount Gambier with my young family nearly 6 years ago. As I love to move around often, I didn't expect to stay too long; however, I have fallen in love with the place (as has my family). I feel like I have the best of all worlds. No more traffic jams and very reasonable property prices (a beautiful, modern 4brm with acreage for under $500k!!). It is green year round and it is located about 5 hours from both Adelaide and Melbourne with daily flights to and from the 2 centres with Rex). I am very impressed with the school my children attend (Catholic College) and there are plenty of clubs to join. The shopping isn't exactly Chadstone but it fulfills most of my requirements and I go to Adelaide and Melbourne regularly for work and shop there for things I am unable to get here.

I live in NSW but visited MG and the Limehouse Coast in 2022 for a short break. My first impression was how lovely and friendly the locals were. The town is pleasant with a few good eateries, a modest but reasonable shopping selection and based next to the beautiful Blue Lake. We enjoyed day trips out to Port McConnell to walk up the (dormant) volcano Mount Shank , Southend andPort McConnell for seafood. . For a young family I could understand the attraction of living here as it’s very affordable. My partner and I would love to return to visit one day especially to visit the local Coonawarra wine valley.

South Australia’s 2nd largest “city” is in dire need of an upgrade. It is 5-10 years behind the rest of the country with very little to see & do. Shopping options are dismal (the place doesn’t even have a Target). The town lacks cafe & restaurant options. They don’t even have basic takeaway options such as Grill’d, Guzman y Gomez or Schnitz etc. Need to see a GP? A lot of the clinics don’t accept new patients or you may be told “there’s a 7 week wait”. Are you a working mother? Say farewell to your career! There is no childcare! Most working families face a 2 year+ wait for a childcare spot. And after that 2 year+ waiting period you may only be offered 1 or 2 days of childcare per week. The property prices are very reasonable, but ultimately, moving here is just not worth it! You will be bored (and unable to work!). On a positive note - the town has a pretty decent Dan Murphys (which you will need if you move here).

The Mount is quite a nice town, a lot of drama/action happens here though. It has some great cafes and places to visit, including Blue Lake.
It is near a lot of small country towns, which are very lovely to visit and/or live if you don't want to live quite in the town of Mount Gambier,

Steve Mac | House and Land Expert

I love it. It has what we need as gardeners, beach lovers, seafood lovers, wine appreciators, dog walking horsey people who like to eat out a lot. I worked there briefly and it has all the medical and mental health facilities. Plane flights fir an escape to the big smoke. Takes a while to make friends anywhere. I’m in Shepparton 20 plus years and I have friends but don’t feel like a local.

This place is full of rubbish, and close minded people, I am ashamed to have lived here. Only upside is the waiting line for subway is short

Mount Gambier may be a lovely place to visit or stay for a few months or even a year knowing you will be leaving at some stage. However, if you are reliant completely on the job prospects, health care and cultural aspects of the town to support your livelihood and you have experienced more diverse forward thinking attitudes then you will most likely end up sticking to those ex pats from other states or nations. I lived there recently for nearly 11 years and found the place stifling and in some cases the attitudes very unhealthy.
Rarely Drs bulk bill, often people are hired in jobs based on their friendships and who they are related to not on their credentials, very small degree of separation and gossip was a standard, businesses can ask what they want, function on their own terms because its a closed market e.g buy a pair of pants on a sale rack, get them home, see they have a 10c piece size hole in the side and try to return them and get told it was on the sale rack, therefor it's sold as is. This was a common occurrence and its embarrassing. Housing prices are cheap but if a home is based on people, culture, diversity and freedom of choice you'll most likely find it's 50 years behind.

Prob great if your retired but otherwise very limited employment unless you enjoy personal care jobs. Which are prolific. Nice scenery and some big brand shops here now. Easy to get around but nadda to do or see on most weekends unless you play sports.

Not the best place to live... Not much industry... boring shops... cost of living is too cheap. Total lack of health care.......