The primeval view from the bottom of the Umpherston Sinkhole, Mount Gambier.

The Umpherston Sinkhole, like many of the other attractions at Mount Gambier, was formed hundreds of thousands (or millions) of years ago by volcanic activity.

In the 1800s, the sinkhole was turned into a garden and still is today; it’s open night and day and is free. While taking photos at the bottom we met a retired man who has been traveling around Australia with his wife since June (around 10 months) and was on his way to Adelaide then back home to Perth. A very nice man who had a good eye for, and opinion of architecture.

The sinkhole, to me, felt very primeval (or primordial, if you’d prefer). The large leaves on the right, the tall trees on the left. Everything was big, herbacious and I half imagined a dinosaur to poke it’s head around the corner. I very much enjoyed the sinkhole.

Except for the possums, who had made the place home and were being fed by most of the visitors who were only there to see the “cute” possums.