Pioneer Settlement at Swan Hill is probably one of the better maintained of the Old time settlement reconstructions in Australia. The buildings and machinery are constantly being maintained and preserved as is evident whilst exploring the site. A riverboat trip along the Murray and night time activities are also available together with ample food and refreshment outlets plus an adequate souvenir shop. Also explore the reconstruction of the paddle steamer P.S. Gem plus the added adventure of a tour of the island. A great place to visit. I have been there three times and will go again.

Old Tailem Town is a marvelous spectacle for those who delight in travelling back in time. Probably one of the biggest "Pioneer" village settlement reconstruction sites in Australia with over 90 buildings to explore. It will be made even better with the advent of one of Adelaide's old "H" class trams to be housed there soon. It is a great place to rediscover the hardships and lack of personal comforts we see today, that our early settlers had to endure in those days. Well worth a visit to a well laid out establishment and well worth the reasonable price.

Had a slow leak in one of my tyres, took it to Pooraka City Discount Tyres. Told the chap behind the counter the problem, he looked it over and said that it would be ready in about an hour. Went back in about an hour and the tyre was fixed. No mess, no fuss the staff was friendly and the cost of the repair more than reasonable. What more can I say. Very Happy.

The Lazy River Motor Inn is situated about 2kms from Swan Hill along the Murray Valley Highway out of Ouyen from Adelaide. It has amenities such as a games room, barbecue, swimming pool, car washing facilities and lawns. The rooms are clean and comfortable with the usual facilities for a motel. The receptionists are friendly and will arrange times for a shuttle bus to nearby Murray Downs. The Inn is only a leisurely 2km stroll or a short drive to the main Swan Hill CBD containing the Swan Hill Club, The R.S.L and a couple of pubs for wining and dining.

Good shop for sourcing a large range of A.F.L. souvenirs and merchandise. They also display other knick-nacks and souvenirs including pendants, necklaces with animal and other motifs plus a range of kids stuff. The staff are very friendly and enjoy a chat.

The Lady Nelson visitor and discovery centre is a recommended stop for information for the local area of Mount Gambier, the Limestone Coast, South Australia and Victoria, with detailed brochures on each destination. They also have a range of souvenirs and local wares for sale and a discovery tour to see at your leisure all for reasonable prices. The friendly staff will also assist you if further information is needed regarding local sights and places of interest.

The Umpherston Sinkhole is a great example of the combined efforts of nature and man. As we descended the steps around the walls into the sinkhole we marveled at the intricate haphazard array of holes cracks and crevices which by day is home to dozens of possums. They come out at night attracted by the floodlights searching for food, (they are tame enough to be fed by visitors) On reaching the bottom the enormity of the phenomenon becomes even more apparent as the precipitous walls of the sinkhole tower above, adorned with trailing vegetation and vines which almost conceal the small caves and barbecue area behind. As we made our way up through the centre of the hole we admired the myriad of plants and foliage which enhanced the overall experience. At various intervals there are well illustrated and documented descriptions of the formation and evolution of this unique phenomenon. Unfortunately the only downside to the whole experience was that the Percy Possum Hide-away, the souvenir and gift shop was closed. The sign on the door indicated that the store had ceased trading as of the 30th June 2011, but there was no mention of the closure being seasonal or permanent. Very disappointing but other than that, well worth the visit.

Charlicks Bazaar is probably your typical Antique / secondhand premises housed in what is likely an old grain shed, across the tracks from the Mount Gambier rail station. There are lots of old antiques and memorabilia from yesteryear including an old stove,old woodworking tools and a commemorative Crows Premiership beer can complete with contents, and many many more items which will bring back memories from the early years. Well worth a browse around.

We stumbled across Valley Lake Pizzas somewhat by accident whilst looking for one of the more established named pizzas and just happened to park in front of this one. These pizzas were cheaper than the better known opposition and much more filling was applied. We ordered a large pizza with 12 slices and the four of us struggled to get through it. We will definitely be buying from Valley Lake pizzas the next time we are in Mount Gambier.

Flannigans Irish Pub is directly across from the Cave Gardens in Mount Gambier. It has the looks of an old style English (Irish) pub, plenty of dark woodwork and frosted glass inside with loads of Irish memorabilia plaques and decorations and displaying many of the Irish wares on sale within. The chips and the wedges portions were gigantic and the chicken rissoles were more than adequate and very sustaining. The staff were very happy, cheery friendly and accommodating. The pokies are the same as every where else - easy to spend on but hard to win. This Pub - well worth a visit whenever in Mount Gambier.