The Limestone Coast: blue water and our first beach camp

South Australia's Limestone Coast was an unexpected delight. The Blue Lake at Mount Gambier really was as vivid as the photos suggest: a deep, startling blue set inside its crater.

The lake is part of Mount Gambier's volcanic landscape. Its colour changes with the seasons, becoming especially blue through the warmer months. It was quite something to see that colour for ourselves, alongside the area's limestone, fossils and other reminders of how much has happened beneath this apparently quiet countryside.

We also ventured onto the sand for our first beach camp. There was a great deal to like about waking up with so much open beach around us.

Shan was particularly pleased with the swimming spots. The clear water and the free swimming lake offered an excellent opportunity for a proper wallow. Geology, beach camping and a swim: the Limestone Coast covered quite a few of our interests at once.