A sinkhole unlike some, methinks

@JudyEv (382127)
Rockingham, Australia
March 26, 2026 4:08am CST
I’ve heard of sinkholes but Umpherston Sinkhole near Mount Gambier in South Australia doesn’t fit the usual description of this geological process. The sinkhole was once a cave but the top of the limestone chamber collapsed. In the late 1800s, James Umpherston, a local landowner, began creating a sunken garden, adding stone walls, stone steps and exotic plants. Vines hang down the sides of the hole and there are viewing platforms at the top. The garden is sheltered and cool, and a microclimate has been created. Hydrangeas grow well there. It’s a popular place with tourists and locals alike and in the evenings the little native creatures come out of hiding. I haven’t been there, but the council is about to give the area a major facelift. I hope they don't spoil. It sounds a delightful place. The photo is from Wikimedia, courtesy Thom Devereux.
15 people like this
15 responses
@Juliaacv (56282)
• Canada
26 Mar
It is a pretty little place, I can only imagine the beautiful smell of the air scented from the vegetation. I hope that they just do a trimming on things, and not disrupt the entire area.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar
The locals are keep a close eye on things so that's good.
1 person likes this
27 Mar
If the council is like the council here It will be ruined!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
That's what the locals are worried about.
1 person likes this
27 Mar
@JudyEv Face lift and ruining something is quite common isn't it
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Mar
@Ineeddentures It is for sure and the latest is a pristine piece of beach - Smith's Beach - on WA's coast. A developer is being allowed to 'develop' it. The fight has been going on for years but it seems like this time it's going ahead.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189880)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Mar
This sounds like a nice place. I want one in my backyard.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189880)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Mar
@JudyEv ........yes, I have seen shows with sink holes that swallowed cars and such. The way you describe the area sounds nice not awful at all.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Mar
@celticeagle This one has been here a very long time. Perhaps it 'sunk' before anyone came to the area.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
Be careful what you wish for!!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77183)
• Philippines
26 Mar
I really do hope they don't spoil it.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77183)
• Philippines
26 Mar
@JudyEv Right, it's such a beautiful area.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar
It's much too nice an area to spoil.
1 person likes this
@rakski (156506)
• Philippines
26 Mar
That is such a nice sunken garden!!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar
I've only ever heard of sinkholes in roads and they are very scary.
1 person likes this
@rakski (156506)
• Philippines
27 Mar
@JudyEv yes, that is true!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
28 Mar
He made lemonade out of a lemon!! Good for him.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Mar
He did a great job of beautifying the area.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120841)
• United States
26 Mar
It sounds and looks really cool!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
I wish we'd known about it when we were in that area.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51823)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
26 Mar
Can't improve on beauty.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
That's very true.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208963)
• United States
26 Mar
That is neat for a sinkhole .usually they are just spots where the ground has caved in.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
That's probably what this was originally but then Umpherston decided to make something out of it.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
26 Mar
They say that sink holes are due to the water underneath the soil.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
It's usually water leaching the limestone which then collapses.
@wolfgirl569 (135791)
• Marion, Ohio
26 Mar
That looks relaxing. It is a lovely spot
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar
A lot of people go there sit to sit/walk/relax.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
26 Mar
That’s a beautiful use of a sinkhole!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
It's like a little ampitheatre. I just hope it's finished all its sinking!
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (21497)
• London, England
27 Mar
An unusual garden, rather like it. Hope the facelift doesn't destroy the charm of the place
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
That's the worry. Hopefully it will stay a charming place.
27 Mar
the sunken garden really looks nice
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Mar
It would be a nice place to visit.
@xFiacre (14789)
• Ireland
26 Mar
@judyev that’s inventive and most pleasing.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382127)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Mar
It's looks really lovely. I'd love to go there in person. It's not quite beyond the cards if we hurry.
1 person likes this