Mount Schank is a 100 m (330 ft) high dormant volcano in the southeast corner of South Australia, near Mount Gambier. It was sighted by James Grant on 3 December 1800 and named after Admiral John Schank, designer of Grant's ship, HMS Lady Nelson.Arrange your visit to Mount Schank and discover more family-friendly attractions in Mount Gambier using our Mount Gambier attractions planner.
Mount Schank is part of the Newer Volcanics Province, which is the youngest volcanic field in Australia. Mount Schank erupted about 5,000 years ago, around the same time as Mount Gambier. It is a very basic ash cone and the base of the crater does not extend below the water table, so there is no crater lake as with those at Mount Gambier. There are two small subsidiary craters adjacent to the main cone and some lava flows resulting from the eruption. The northern crater is circular, 300 m (980 ft) in diameter and 100 m (330 ft) deep, the older southern crater is 200 m (660 ft) in diameter and partially overlapped by the larger crater.
The local Aboriginal Bunganditj people witnessed Mount Schank's eruptions over time. Their creation story about the local volcanic landscape was recorded by a local woman, Christina Smith, in 1880. It tells the tale of Craitbul, a giant, who was looking for a place to live with his wife and two sons. They camped at Mount Muirhead and Mount Schank, but were scared away from both these camps by a moaning bird spirit. They fled to Mount Gambier, leaving their camp ovens (the volcanoes) burning. After some time, water came and filled their ovens, putting them out and driving the spirit away. They continued to live in a cave on the side of Mount Gambier.
The site is accessible from the Riddoch Highway about 20 km (12 mi) south of Mount Gambier; there is a small carpark and picnic table, and steps have been placed to facilitate the short but very steep walk to the rim of the crater. It is a fairly simple walk to traverse the rim, though the exposed situation can be treacherous in gusty weather.
Source
Create a full itinerary - for free!
Mount Schank reviews
-
Must visit if you love walking and hiking. Very good exercise fro the whole family, but very young kids and old people should avoid or can go and try little walks around.
Must visit if you love walking and hiking. Very good exercise fro the whole family, but very young kids and old people should avoid or can go and try little walks around. more »
-
Climbing up the well laid 700+ steps was a bit on my bad knee; however to view such a big hole from the brim was exciting. Can walk around the brim too.
Climbing up the well laid 700+ steps was a bit on my bad knee; however to view such a big hole from the brim was exciting. Can walk around the brim too. more »
-
What a view. Its all worth walking to get there
-
I shanked my nan on this mountain, very good place to despose the body
Plan your trip to Mount Gambier
Get a personalized tripA full day by day itinerary based on your preferences Customize itRefine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedules Book itChoose from the best hotels and activities. Up to 50% off Manage itEverything in one place. Everyone on the same page.Know more
Popular things to do in Mount Gambier
Side trips from Mount Gambier
Hidden gems in Mount Gambier
Nearby attractions in Mount Gambier
Nature in Mount Gambier
Trips in Mount Schank by other users
13 days in Mount Gambier, Whyalla & Murray Bridge
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Mount Gambier
Whyalla
Murray Bridge
13 days in Mount Gambier, Whyalla & Murray Bridge
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Mount Gambier
Whyalla
Murray Bridge
16 days in Australia
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Adelaide
Mount Gambier
Kangaroo Island
6 days in Mount Gambier
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Parker Coonawarra Estate
Naracoorte Caves National Park
Katnook Coonawarra
61 days in South Australia
BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA
Victor Harbor
Kangaroo Island
Coober Pedy
32 days in South Australia
BY A USER FROM INDIA
Adelaide
Clare
Tanunda