初稿
上周，我和朋友从墨尔本驱车到南澳一个叫 Mount Gambier 的小镇，路上花了足足五个多小时。加上出发前的一些准备，当我们到达 Mt Gambier 的时候，已经是晚上八点多，街道上可以说是有点伸手不见五指的感觉了。
途中经过 Geelong, Ballarat, Hamilton 等地。
在澳洲 Road Trip 感觉的确是一件美事，天气晴朗的时候，到处都是一望无际的农场，而天空也蓝得像 Windows 以前的电脑屏保。在路上，还时不时能看见各种小动物，家养的像牛、马和羊驼等等，而野生的有狐狸、兔子，当然还有澳洲最著名的袋鼠。不过沿途中，倒是看到不少被车撞死的袋鼠。如果晚上开车的话，还是挺危险的，因为有可能撞上袋鼠。不过在返程途中，由于时间比较晚，我们还真在路上碰到过不少袋鼠。（想起我第一次听说袋鼠横穿马路，是因为环澳自行车赛中有选手被袋鼠撞倒😱）
Mount Gambier 是南澳的第二大城市（第一大城市就是 Adelaide，即阿德莱德）
在澳洲偏远小镇的晚上八点，和国内城市中的八点可以说是完全不是一个概念。在国内的市区，晚上八点虽然已经没有了阳光的照明，但是却有许多路灯，让人忘记黑夜本来的样子。而在这里（事实上我们住在 Millicent），没有路灯，唯一的光源大概是车灯吧，似乎只有十字路口是有路灯的。这或许才是黑夜原本的样子，这样也不难理解为什么有人怕黑了。
我们住在一家叫 Grand Hotel 的酒店。老实说，晚上进去还是有一点吓人的。这个酒店的外观有点类似中世纪的那种古堡，我们开始还猜测会不会是哪个以前的贵族留下的宅子之类的，后来在走廊的壁画中发现，这里似乎在几十年前，就已经是一个旅馆了。价格呢在 80 多刀到 100 刀出头的样子（单人间和双人间）。此外，小镇上就只有两个汽车旅馆了，价格在 120 多刀的样子（或许还有一个房车营地）。虽然感觉有点国内小旅馆的意思，不过好在这里还有两个公共的独立卫浴，洗漱什么的还是没有问题的。
在路过 Mt Gambier 时，我们去了当地的两个著名景点：蓝湖(Blue Lake)和 Umpherston Cave. 我个人觉得比较一般，但是在 Umpherston Cave 看到了一个蜂巢，还有一种似乎是南澳特有的鹦鹉，鲜艳的红底色上又带着一点湖蓝色的点缀，非常美丽。
不过还有一段路我非常喜欢，是在一个叫 Cape Buffon Carpark 的地方附近。如果天气晴朗的话，沿着海边散步应该也是不错的选择。可惜我们去的时候风太大了，又在下雨，所以非常冷。不过这也是我第一次体验到这么大的风，吹得人根本站不稳，难怪会有风化岩这种东西形成。（不过十二使徒岩的风化，应该也和海风中带有的盐粒有关）
之后的两天，就是给一个公司搭建一个发布会的外景（有一说一这公司是真会选时间，正好选了个大风天，搭建的时候风雨交加的）。我其实是有点兴奋的，因为我从小就喜欢搭房子，感觉自己动手建一个房子是一件非常浪漫的事情！虽然在这个活动这里也不是搭房子，但是也差不多（确信）。加上我之前有一个小目标：调查世界上的各种工作，和业内人员进行访谈或交流。这次出门，也算是朝我这个小目标迈出的第一步，目标：广告公司！
第一天下午我基本上就是在观察。对于这种小型场地的搭建，基本也就遵循一个卸货、搭建、拆除、垃圾回收的步骤。至于具体的搭建过程，感觉上也没有非常精密的步骤（可能最精密的步骤是测量），其实就像搭积木，只不过这个积木的体积和质量比较大。总之就是借助梯子、锤子、电钻和螺丝等工具，把一些钢架固定到一起。这次搭建的主体是一个舞台的背景板，用钢架搭建好主体之后，还需要在地上插入一些东西防止钢架位移（这算是打地基吗）。然后就是把画布固定到钢架上，这里采用的是一种硬塑料扎带进行捆绑。后面就是一些小型展板的搭建，具体工序包括测量、切割木头，固定等等。还有一个跟贴车膜有点类似的东西。
虽然说我很想上手，但是第一天我也没什么动作，一方面是不拿工钱，另一方面是，没有因为经验也怕自己弄坏什么东西。第二天，我想着带头那个大哥昨天还给我包饭了，所以我也不白吃，就帮他们搬点东西（其实我是想玩那个电钻的，但是他们时间也挺紧的，我怕我第一次上手钻歪了什么的），反正早弄完早回去休息。
比较有意思的是，这个公司来了两个负责人，我听口音是西南片区的，问了一下，果然，是四川人。然后因为我看着年龄比实际小，有点像高中生，那两个人以为我是某个老板的儿子，就带我去他们公司里面转了转，也还挺有意思。（以及一些奇怪笑点的笑话：隔壁印度人花了两天搭一个棚子，然后终于把棚子搞垮了（其实是风实在太大））
最有意思的体验是开升降机，这种驾驶巨型机械的感觉对我有一种神奇的吸引力（可能是小孩心性导致的）。
总之就是非常有意思的 Trip，期待以后还能有这样的机会！
References
Crimson Rosella
https://www.google.com/search?q=Crimson+Rosella&sca_esv=38eb6c1b91691d26&sxsrf=ANbL-n56jNeLh41aEmFecWpCUcC66Te9uQ:1775111761274&gbv=2&sei=UQ7OaYi1EMmkqtsPqKHoqAw#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:a2d97e5d,vid:DT7VTGuwnTw,st:0
Mount Gambier
General
Mount Gambier (/ˈɡæmbiəɹ/ GAM-bee-ər) is the second most populated city in South Australia,
The city is located on the slopes of Mount Gambier, a volcano in the south east of the state, about 450 kilometres (280 mi) south-east of the capital Adelaide and just 17 kilometres (11 mi) from the Victorian border.
The city is well known for its geographical features, particularly its volcanic and limestone features, most notably Blue Lake/Waawor/Warwar, and its parks, gardens, caves and sinkholes.
History
Before British colonisation of South Australia, the Bungandidj (or Buandik/Boandik) people were the original Aboriginal inhabitants of the area.
The peak of the dormant Mount Gambier crater was sighted in 1800 by Lieutenant James Grant from the survey brig, HMS Lady Nelson, and named after Lord James Gambier, Admiral of the Fleet.It was the first place named by the British in what was later to become the colony of South Australia. The peak is marked by Centenary Tower, built in 1901 to commemorate the first sighting by colonists.
As of October 2022, the town had not been officially dual-named, but the lakes and several other culturally significant features of the location were given dual names in February 2022, and dual naming is being planned for the city, mostly likely as Berrin, the name by which it is known to the local Indigenous community.[26]
Geography
Mount Gambier’s urban area is located mainly along the northern slopes and plain of a maar volcano of the same name, Mount Gambier. Comprising several craters, it is part of the Newer Volcanics Province complex of volcanoes. One of these contains a huge lake of high-quality artesian drinking water which changes colour with the seasons. In winter, it is a steel grey and then changes to a spectacular cobalt blue in the summer, giving rise to its name, Blue Lake.
This 75-metre (246 ft) deep lake accommodates a range of unusual aquatic flora and fauna, in particular fields of large stromatolites. There are several other craters in the city including Valley Lake and the Leg of Mutton River. The region surrounding the city includes other volcanic features such as Mount Schank, along with many karst features such as water-filled caves, cenotès and sinkholes.
Mount Gambier has a temperate mediterranean climate (Csb), having mild to warm, dry summers with very cool mornings; mild springs and autumns with moderate rainfall; and cool winters with high rainfall.
In the 2021 Census, the population of the Mount Gambier census area was 26,878 people, making it the largest urban area in the state outside Adelaide.
The most popular industries for employment were Log Sawmilling and Timber Dressing (8%), School Education (4.8%) and Retail Trade (3.8%), while the unemployment rate is approx. 7%. The median weekly household income is A$1232 per week.[43]
In the 2021 Census,[42] 52.0% of residents identified themselves as having ‘No Religion’. The largest religious denominations represented were Catholics at 14.4%, Anglicans at 6.1%, and Uniting Church at 4.3%.
Economy
The economy of Mount Gambier is driven by all three economic sectors, though it has emerged as a regional service economy with its main industry being the service industry and its key areas of business including tourism, hospitality, retail, professional services, government administration and education. The city’s historic primary sector roots including mining, agriculture and forestry continue to play a key role as well as being a major road transport and trucking centre.
Mount Gambier is the major service centre for the region known as The Limestone Coast. The area has many natural attractions, including volcanic craters, lakes, limestone caves, sinkholes, underground aquifers and stunning Cenotès.Major tourism attractions include the Blue Lake/Warwar, the crater lakes, and caves such as Umpherston Sinkhole / Balumbul, Cave Garden / Thugi[46] and Engelbrecht Cave. Engelbrecht Cave is a popular cave diving venue. The region around Mount Gambier also has many water-filled cenotès, caves and sinkholes which attract cave divers from around the world.[47][48]
As a major service centre for the region, the city has several key retail districts including the Commercial Street CBD. Mount Gambier Marketplace, opened in August 2012, is one of three major shopping centres in the city, the other two being Mount Gambier Central (formerly known as Centro Mount Gambier) and Coles shopping complex on Ferrers Street, which was opened in December 2020.
Located around Cave Gardens, is the hub of the city’s arts and includes the Riddoch Art Gallery, South Australia’s major regional art gallery.
Notable buildings
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was built in 1871 in Gothic Revival style.
Media
The local newspaper for Mount Gambier, Limestone Coast and South East region of South Australia is The Border Watch. It is published and available in the local area every Tuesday through Friday (with the exception of some public holidays such as Christmas Day). Daily newspapers from Melbourne (Herald Sun and The Age) and Adelaide (The Advertiser) as well as national newspapers such as The Australian and Australian Financial Review are also available. Some newspapers from nearby towns such as Millicent and Penola, specialty newspapers like the British International Express weekly newspaper, agricultural newspapers such as The Weekly Times newspaper from Victoria and The South Australian Stock Journal (published by Australian Community Media) and The Independent Weekly from Adelaide are also available from local newsagents.
sports
The local newspaper for Mount Gambier, Limestone Coast and South East region of South Australia is The Border Watch. It is published and available in the local area every Tuesday through Friday (with the exception of some public holidays such as Christmas Day). Daily newspapers from Melbourne (Herald Sun and The Age) and Adelaide (The Advertiser) as well as national newspapers such as The Australian and Australian Financial Review are also available. Some newspapers from nearby towns such as Millicent and Penola, specialty newspapers like the British International Express weekly newspaper, agricultural newspapers such as The Weekly Times newspaper from Victoria and The South Australian Stock Journal (published by Australian Community Media) and The Independent Weekly from Adelaide are also available from local newsagents.
Mount Gambier is the home of “The Alex Roberts 100 Mile Classic”, a cycling event that lays claim to the longest continuing open cycling event in South Australia. The event held annually by the Mount Gambier Cycling Club.[60]
The Mount Gambier Greyhound Racing Club hold greyhound racing meetings at a purpose-built complex called the Tara Raceway, at 161 Lake Terrace East. The Club moved from Glenburnie Racecourse in late 1996 and held its first meeting on Saturday 25 January 1997.[63]
The 120m Mount Gambier Gift was held annually on the first Saturday in December at Vansittart Oval was the 2nd richest professional footrace in South Australia.
Millicent
Millicent is a town in the Australian state of South Australia located about 399 kilometres (248 mi) south-east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of the regional centre of Mount Gambier. In the 2021 census, the population was 4,760.[8]
The town is home to the Millicent National Trust Museum, Millicent Library & Gallery, Millicent Civic & Arts Centre, the South East Family History Group, and more attractions where locals commonly go to. Millicent is also nearby to the Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park and the Canunda National Park.
Close by is Lake Bonney SE which is home to South Australia’s largest wind turbine farm. Millicent is also home to a constructed lake, Lake McIntyre, home to many bird and wildlife species. Lake McIntyre takes approximately 20 minutes to walk around, and the lake also hosts over 50 species of water birds and waders.[9]
Millicent was proclaimed in 1870 after a township developed on the limestone ridge in the centre of the newly drained Millicent flats. It is named after Millicent Glen (née Short), wife of one of the early pioneers and daughter of the first Anglican Bishop of Adelaide, Augustus Short.
Millicent is also home to a Kimberly Clark Australia paper mill which is located 10 km away from the town;[10] it is the largest employer in the area with approximately 400 employees. The factory produces Kleenex, Cottonelle and Viva product lines for the Australian and some regional overseas markets. Millicent is also well known for its primary production, which include many varied crops. Pine and blue gum plantation cover large areas. It is also home to the only seaweed harvesting and processing plant in South Australia.[11][12]
Millicent hosts a festival that is held once a year in late March and early April which is called the Geltwood Festival. The Geltwood Festival is about a ship that was wrecked in the late 1800s. The festival is known for arts and crafts, the shops of Millicent put quilts in the front windows. George Street is closed for the public to walk on to do various of activities, stalls and a small car Show ‘N Shine. The festival has been running for over nine years and every year attracts crowds from neighbour towns of Millicent and Western Victoria.
Recreation Millicent has access to all forms of recreation other than snow. It boasts access to beach fishing off the expansive coastline from Beachport, Southend, Canunda and through to Carpenters Rocks. Four wheel driving is popular as is trail bike riding. Surfing, sailing and small boat fishing are also very popular and bush walking trails are also available in the national parks along with well equipped camp sites for basic getaways. The reclaimed lake Bonney is now open to sailing and canoeing and borders the national park of Canunda. Cave exploring is nearby at the Tantanoola caves and cave diving in the areas water filled limestone caves is nearby. Millicent is also within half an hours travel of the Coonawarra wine region and the city of Mount Gambier, home to the Blue Lake and its picnic grounds.
Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Gambier# https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Mount_Gambier#Q327348