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 industry roots including mining, agriculture and forestry continue to play a key role as well as being a major road transport and trucking centre.
Tourism
Tourism generates around $100 million for the Mount Gambier economy. The city is a major accommodation gateway for the region. Major tourism attractions include the Blue Lake and Valley Lake wildlife park and caves such as Umpherston Sinkhole, Cave Gardens and Engelbrecht Cave. The region around Mt Gambier also has many water-filled caves and sinkholes which attract cave divers from around the globe. Popular sites include Ewens Ponds and Piccaninnie Ponds
Service industries
As a major service centre for the region, the city has several key retail districts including the CBD centred around Commercial Street. Mount Gambier Marketplace, opened in August 2012, it is the first major shopping mall in the region, with a large number of specialty stores. Major department stores include Target, Big W, Kmart, Harvey Norman. Additionally each of the major supermarkets (Coles, Woolworths, IGA and Aldi) are represented. Servicing the financial sector are branches of the big four Australian retail banks (National Australia Bank, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac) along with Bendigo Bank and St.George Bank and a number of smaller independent financial services firms
