Tuesday March 16, 2010 - Going to Halls Gap.

After looking at the maps last night we decided we could go to Mt Gambier in South Australia (SA) to see the blue pool. It was 110km west of Portland. It was very foggy when we woke up. I was hoping see a nice sunrise but the fog obliterated it. As were drove toward Mt Gambier we hoped the fog would burn off. Not so! It just got thicker. We were really worried that the fog would disrupt our view of the lake. When we passed into SA the fog went away. We were not to see it the rest of the day. The blue pool was not that well marked but we did find it. It is a beautiful volcanic crater lake. It is also the town water supply. The height of the water is the height of the water table. The water gets to the lake by an underground system of limestone caves and rivers. It was amazing to see. There is a walking path all around the lake as well as a number of lookouts. There is another smaller lake a short distance away called Valley Lake. Between them there is a dry crater. We were so glad a lady in Tassie told us about the Blue Lake and it was not too far out of our way for a side trip. It was well worth it.

We were able to take another way back to Hamilton through Casterton. We had lunch there under the trees by the river. It was quite nice. It was so different just this short way inland. It was a lot drier. Not so humid. It is running about 33° over the next few days. People say it should begin to get cooler as fall approaches.

The trip to Halls Gap went without much ado. We did a 1km walk up to see the Silverband Falls. They are very interesting as there is not pool at the bottom. The water makes its way down stream underground only to surface further downstream. The falls were discovered in 1929 when people set out to have a picnic by the pool at the bottom of the falls. They were surprised by the fact that there was not pool. They had a nice picnic all the same.

We went to the town of Halls Gap after settling in. After returning we tried out the swimming pool. Oh my, was it cold! It was about the same as Bridge Lake. Charles finally got in. I never got above my knees. My ankles were freezing. It did cool us off.

We saw some kangaroos on the site just before supper. It was great.