The Limestone Coast boasts a population of almost 65,000 (Source: Census: 2006). The region is made up of a number of local council areas. Well over 1/3rd of people living in the region reside in and around Mount Gambier local government area and overall, around 70% of people live in the lower part of the region. Mount Gambier, with a population of 24,000 is the only city in the region, and is the industrial and service hub.
The seven local councils in the Limestone Coast region are:
City of Mount Gambier
District Council of Grant
Wattle Range Council
Naracoorte Lucindale Council
District Council of Robe
District Council of Kingston
Tatiara District Council
The large numbers of school age children in our region confirm that parents think this is a great place to raise a family. Younger professionals relocate here to gain valuable career exposure and to try out country life, and older people move here for family reasons or for a tree change/sea change experience.
If you are looking for a particular lifestyle in the Limestone Coast, you might want to consider our ever popular coastal towns. Places like Robe, Kingston & Cape Jaffa offer inspiring and relaxing coastal living close to important services. Interested in room to move? You could always try for your perfect country living block. You’ll find these sought after patches of land close to major centres like Mount Gambier and Naracoorte.
Mount Gambier
The city of Mount Gambier is South Australia’s largest regional city outside of Adelaide with a population of around 24,000 and is approximately 450km south east of the capital. The city and surrounding areas provides a full range of shopping and social services that support major industries such as transport, construction, agriculture, forestry, horticulture, dairy, engineering and tourism. Apart from by road, Mount Gambier is accessible by daily flights and buses from both Adelaide and Melbourne. A variety of sporting activities can be pursued and the community is well served by an excellent range of public and private primary and secondary schools, along with University and technical education offerings.
For more information about Mount Gambier and district you can try:
'The Lady Nelson' Visitor & Discovery Centre - Mount Gambier Tourism
City of Mount Gambier - Just Landed
District Council of Grant
Naracoorte
Naracoorte is a busy town approximately 330km south east of Adelaide in the heart of the Limestone Coast region. With a population of over 5,000, its local businesses service a large area surrounding the township as well as those smaller towns close by. It is home to the world heritage listed Naracoorte Caves National P, is close by to the Coonawarra and Padthaway wine districts and has a vibrant tourism industry. Like other towns in the region, Naracoorte and district supports a rich and diverse agricultural sector with a focus on cropping, sheep and cattle raising and wool growing. The town boasts excellent shopping facilities, a large hospital, other medical and allied health services and public/private primary and secondary schools. A large meat processing facility located near Naracoorte employs around 300 people.
For more information about Naracoorte and district you can try:
Naracoorte Lucindale Council
Naracoorte Tourism Information Centre - Naracoorte Lucindale Council
Millicent
The town of Millicent is situated in the Wattle Range council region and is approximately 410km south east of Adelaide. The town and immediate surrounding area has a population of around 5,500 and is 50km from Mount Gambier, the second largest city in South Australia. Major local industries include forestry – in the form of pulp and paper processing, agriculture, horticulture, engineering and more recently, energy production. The town acts as a gateway to the smaller coastal villages of Robe, Beachport and Southend and caters for the many tourists that pass through. Art, craft, and history are also a strong focus in the town and surrounding district. The community is well serviced by excellent facilities including a public library, local specialty shops, kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, hospital and other medical, dental & social services.
For more information about Millicent and district you can try:
Wattle Range Council
Wattle Range Tourism - Wattle Range Council
Mary McKillop Penola Centre
Bordertown
Bordertown is situated in the Tatiara (an aboriginal word meaning ‘Good Country’) and takes its name from its proximity to the South Australian/Victorian borders. It is located on the Dukes Highway, 280km east of Adelaide and 450km west of Melbourne and has a population of approximately 2,500. Popular sporting pursuits in the town include swimming, golf, bowling, football & cricket. The community is well serviced by a public library, local specialty shops, a kindergarten, primary and secondary school, hospital and other medical & social services. Bordertown and its surrounding areas are richly agricultural and support cereal crops, wool production, seeds, dairying, viticulture and horticulture. A major meat processing facility is located on the outskirts of the town. The region attracts many tourists travelling between Adelaide and Melbourne.
For more information about Bordertown and district you can try:
Tatiara District Council
Tatiara Tourism - Tatiara District Council
Penola
The oldest town in the Limestone Coast, Penola is situated 50km directly north from Mount Gambier, 400km south east of Adelaide and 430km west of Melbourne. It has a population of around 1200 and the community is well served by a hospital, an excellent variety of small specialty shops, sporting clubs, a high school and two primary schools. Apart from by road, the town is accessed by a daily bus service from Adelaide and the Mount Gambier Airport is located just 40 km south. Major industry includes agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, forestry, natural gas and tourism. Grapes have been grown in this district for well over a hundred years and the ‘Coonawarra’ is recognised as one of the world’s premier wine growing regions. Penola caters for the many tourists that come to the region for history, art, literature, wine and food and year round visitor activities abound.
For more information about Penola and district you can try:
Wattle Range Council
Wattle Range Tourism - Wattle Range Council
Kingston
Kingston is located 300km south east of Adelaide and has a resident population of 1400. It is becoming increasingly popular as a tourist and beach holiday destination because of its beautiful beaches and opportunities for diving, recreational fishing, sailing and windsurfing. Fishing is at the centre of the town’s economy, namely the resident cray fishing fleet that operates from October to April. The community is well served by supermarkets, local specialty shops, banks, a kindergarten and combined primary/secondary school, hospital and other associated services. Sporting facilities and clubs include golf, tennis, sailing, Australian Rules Football, cricket, netball and bowling.
For more information about Kingston and district you can try:
District Council of Kingston
Kingston Tourism - District Council of Kingston
Keith
The township of Keith has long been recognised as the gateway to the Limestone Coast region. It is approximately 230km south east of Adelaide and like Bordertown, is situated on the Dukes Highway between Adelaide and Melbourne. Rich in agricultural resources, the township of around 1300 supports a diverse farming population. Those seeking recreation or leisure activities will find bike trails, golf and local craft, along with the opportunity to explore a number of conservation parks and to experience life in the Australian bush. Keith District Hospital and Keith Area School are situated within the town, along with other health providers, speciality shops, child care and sporting facilities. Keith is easily accessible by road and regular bus services from Adelaide and other regional centres.
For more information about Keith and district you can try:
District Council of Tatiara
Tatiara Tourism - District Council of Tatiara
Robe
The seaside town of Robe is approximately 340km south east of Adelaide. The town itself has a fully resident population of around 1200 but can swell to over 10,000 for a few weeks during Christmas and New Year, settling down to about 4,000 through to Easter when it peaks again. An hour and a half drive takes you to Mount Gambier, the second largest city in South Australia. Major industry includes fishing, viticulture and food (barramundi, Atlantic salmon, spring lamb and high grade beef, together with the region’s olives, almonds, berries & herbs). The climate is mild with summer days rarely over thirty degrees and likewise a generally mild winter with few frosts, although the winter wind can be cold. The town has a primary school, resident general practitioners and excellent sporting facilities. Good surf and great beaches compliment the town.
For more information about Robe and district you can try:
District Council of Robe
Robe Tourism
Beachport
Beachport is a small coastal village about 20 minutes drive from Millicent and is a popular tourist destination. Although its resident population is less than 500, it is home to a thriving rock lobster (crayfish) fishing fleet. It is also well known for its impressive jetty, one of the longest in South Australia. Like Robe, it also has surfing opportunities and safe swimming areas, along with great fishing. Visitors are also attracted to the scenery and spectacular coastline in and around Beachport. Local shops & eateries support the surrounding agricultural and viticultural industries.
For more information about Beachport and district you can try:
Wattle Range Council
Wattle Range Tourism - Wattle Range Council
Lucindale
Lucindale is a small but important rural town in the Limestone Coast servicing the surrounding agricultural based industries. It is best known as the host of the annual South East Field Days. There are plenty of local sporting opportunities including football, netball, golf and tennis. For nature lovers there are many attractions to explore if you enjoy walking, photography, biking or four wheel driving. The larger service centre Naracoorte is located less than 30 minutes drive away.
For more information about Lucindale and district you can try:
Naracoorte Lucindale Council
Naracoorte Tourism Information Centre - Naracoorte Lucindale Council
Port MacDonnell
Port MacDonnell is located approximately 30km south of Mt Gambier, with a population of around 600. It is officially recognized as the Southern Rock Lobster capital of Australia and a variety of fresh seafood is available during season. It is home to many sites that are of historical significance and is a sought after destination for divers for its ponds and sink holes.
For more information about Port MacDonnell and district you can try:
The Lady Nelson' Visitor & Discovery Centre
District Council of Grant
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