MOUNT GAMBIER
 Mount Schank

Return distance : 1.9 km; Time : 50 minutes

I decide to have a look at the extinct volcano Mt Schank, about 15 km south of Mt Gambier.  Mount Schank looks quite impressive from the air.  There is a car park to the west of the mountain.  South of the main crater we see a secondary crater, and there are various other volcanic remnants too.  Notice the small crater by the car park (START).

The main road in branches east off Bay Road, the road joining Mount Gambier and Port McDonnell. However, we approach it from the west along Laslett Road and Post Office Road.  Due south of the mountain, this cute little Anglican church comes into view.

At the car park there are several informative signs.  This sign tells me that the crater rim walk is 1.9 km long and takes an hour.  The mountain is about 100 metres high.

The combination of volcanic activity and limestone with high water content must have been quite impressive!

The little crater by the car park is largely overgrown and not very interesting, except for a ridge of limestone which still stands out.

It is said to demonstrate how the different layers of material relate to one another.

Well, time to start the ascent.  It gets steeper than this, and takes about 20 minutes to reach the crater rim.

The track is well made, and provides good views across the surrounding countryside.

Strong winds: this could be a problem, but not today.

Reaching the rim, I follow the track in a clockwise direction.  (Actually this is the only track I can see!)  It is a little up and down, but not difficult. Here is a panorama of the crater.  The track from the car park emerges in the big dip to the right of centre.

The crater walls are quite steep, and little regrowth has taken place.

There are two types of common shrub, including this pretty white flowering variety.

The track follows a fairly narrow but not precarious ridge around the crater.

We approach the highest point, east of the crater.

Looking down we see the starkness of the crater.  Of course it would be much more interesting with some volcanic activity, but we seem to be 4500 years too late!

There are picturesque views out over the surrounding landscape.

Looking back, the high point forms quite a feature.

The other common foliage here belongs to this attractive wattle.

For the energetic, a zig-zag track makes its way to the bottom of the crater, but it doesn't appeal to me.

To the south of the main crater we look down on this large secondary crater.  The white Anglican church can be seen just peeping out through the trees.

Now we come to the final ascent.

Around here, the track becomes less defined ...

... and almost disappears!

Fortunately we are nearly back to where the track first meets the rim, so we start our descent.

Driving away from the mountain we look back.  It is quite impressive, with the top silhouette all being the crater edge.  One might imagine a significant eruption to have blown the top off this mountain!

A good walk, and rewarding for anyone like me who enjoys volcanoes.