Nature’s Food Bowl

Whether you prefer paddock to plate, pot to plate, foraged or fermented, nature’s food bowl is overflowing with fruits from the sea and land, with extraordinary flavours waiting to be unearthed. Few regions offer such gastronomic diversity as Greater Mount Gambier. The list of fresh Limestone Coast ingredients is limited only by the seasons, but the passion that goes into producing clean, green local produce is guaranteed year-round.

Generations of fishermen have been sustainably harvesting succulent seafood from the cold waters of the Southern Ocean, with the rocky underwater limestone ledges home to highly-prized lobster and abalone. Fertile, volcanic-rich soils are the very foundations of enthusiastic farming communities raising beef, lamb, pork, poultry and an abundance of fruit and vegetables in a moderate, well-watered climate. The pride that goes into premium wine and dairy products has also helped to put the region on the world’s gourmet stage, with the growing export market a testament to the quality.

Food

Markets and Stalls – Gather the finest local ingredients for your own uniquely regional feast by drifting between gastronomic pit-stops – just-picked potatoes, garlic, onions, organic apples, seasonal berries and native bush foods ignite the tastebuds with their authentic flavours, while the free-range eggs laid by footloose and fancy chooks are also strong crowd pleasers.

The region is home to several award-winning coffee roasters, boutique cheesemakers, olive oil producers, herb growers, artisan bread makers and even a toffee maker.

You can buy direct from the producers at authentic weekend farmer’s markets held at various locations including Mount Gambier’s Cave Garden/Thugi. You’ll also find unforgettable food experiences at farm gate stalls, cellar doors, and gourmet grocers.

The city and its surrounding towns are filled with great places to indulge your culinary senses, with talented chefs creating exceptional dishes at local restaurants, cafes and chic bars.

Committed foodies can also try foraging in the wild for mushrooms, edible bush foods and coastal plants – it would pay to join one of several guided chef’s tours to ensure that your harvest is as appetising as it looks.

Wine

Come to Mount Gambier with grape expectations, you won’t be disappointed!

We boast six award-winning wine regions within a short drive of the city feature a vibrant blend of prominent Australian wine companies and boutique family-owned businesses. Each has evolved from a magical mix of pure limestone-filtered water, rich volcanic free-draining soils, mild growing conditions and earthy passion. Premium quality is guaranteed.

Coonawarra

The Coonawarra wine region is one of Australia’s most internationally recognised wine regions and is frequently referred to as Australia’s ‘other red centre’. It is a short 40-minute drive north of Mount Gambier and offers the largest selection of cellar doors. While cabernet sauvignon with considerable ageability is the signature drop, much-lauded shiraz, chardonnay and riesling have made Coonawarra one of the New World’s greatest appellations.

With its precious strip of rich terra rossa soil, locals call this celebrated ridge of earth ‘nature’s gift to wine lovers across the globe’, and new generations of old winemaking families work alongside an influx of fresh talent to bring Coonawarra’s inherent qualities to the fore every single vintage.

Wrattonbully

Further north along the Riddoch Highway, the Wrattonbully wine region is nestled among the rich rolling hills of South Australia’s Naracoorte Ranges.

The unique characteristics of Wrattonbully fruit are gaining worldwide attention as the region toasts a growing list of trophies, medals and international accolades.

The World Heritage-Listed Naracoorte Caves are close by, and new limestone caves containing significant ancient fossils and prehistoric remains were discovered during vineyard development.

Herbert Vineyard

Mount Gambier

The Mount Gambier wine region is one of the nation’s newest wine zones, and it’s rapidly gaining a name for its pinot noir and white varieties. Cellar doors are understated with a strong personal touch; it’s highly likely that the grower will be the one greeting you upon arrival.

Grape Vines

Padthaway

Neighbouring Padthaway wine region established its reputation with chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet but has branched out considerably in order to keep abreast of consumer trends. Mount Benson’s distinctly delicate, cool-climate, maritime-influenced wines are also making waves with their strong sense of place and style, while the Henty region just across the Victorian border has wonderful aromatic whites, sweet dessert wines and intense, finely structured reds.