Umpherston Sinkhole
The Sunken Garden
A collapsed limestone cave transformed into a terraced sunken garden of hydrangeas, ivy and hanging vines, floodlit at night when possums emerge.
A garden in a cave
Originally a limestone cave whose roof collapsed to form a sinkhole, the Umpherston Sinkhole was planted out as a terraced garden by James Umpherston in 1886. Today cascading vines, hydrangeas and English ivy spill down its walls into a cool, green amphitheatre that feels worlds away from the street above.
It's free to visit and open day and night. After dark the gardens are floodlit and a colony of brushtail possums emerges to feed - bring a torch and watch from the viewing terraces.
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Umpherston Sinkhole - frequently asked questions
What is the Umpherston Sinkhole?
The Umpherston Sinkhole, also called the Sunken Garden, is a collapsed limestone cave in Mount Gambier that James Umpherston planted as a terraced garden in 1886. Hanging vines, ferns and hydrangeas now cascade down the cavern walls.
Is the Umpherston Sinkhole free to visit?
Yes. The Umpherston Sinkhole is open to the public year-round, free of charge. Paths and steps lead down into the garden, and floodlighting at night makes it possible to watch wild possums feeding after dark.
Can you see possums at the Umpherston Sinkhole?
Yes. The sinkhole is floodlit at night and brushtail possums emerge to feed after dusk, making it a popular evening visit. Visitors are asked not to feed the wildlife.
Image credits
- Umpherston Sinkhole, Mount Gambier, November 2018.jpg by User:Satellizer , CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons