Put on your walking shoes and take a leisurely walk through vineyards and between wineries, sampling some of Coonawarra’s most famous wines along the way. The Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail gives you a behind the scenes glimpse of viticulture and winemaking practices in Coonawarra.
It includes 6 wineries and is just under 5 kilometres long. If you allow 20 minutes at each winery, the trail should take approximately 3 hours to complete. You may wish to book at table at Fodder for lunch or sit down with a glass of wine and a platter at our cellar door.
Visit www.coonawarrawalkingtrail.com.au for more information or download the Coonawarra Walking Trail app.
Tucked away just a couple of streets back from Penola’s town centre, Petticoat Lane retains original cottages and gardens dating back to the 19th century. Visitors are invited to explore inside and around the cottages which are signposted with the stories and experiences of the families who lived in them. A working herb & vegetable garden is located behind the Sharam Cottages where produce is available to visitors for a small coin donation.
The nearby Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre tells the remarkable story of of Australia's first saint, Sister Mary MacKillop. Mary's charitable achievements and complicated relationship with the Catholic church make for interesting fodder - the centre is well worth a look in our opinion!
Visit the Penola Coonawarra Visitor Information Centre, 27 Arthur Street, Penola for more information or download the SA Heritage app and select the tour ‘Penola: Walk with History’.
An unassuming yet historically important landmark in the heart of Coonawarra, The Coonawarra Siding’s short-track rail connection allowed the region to flourish as a great farming and wine district when it was built by John Riddoch in 1898. Whilst the rusty old tracks are no longer in use, The Coonawarra Siding is now an iconic photo opportunity for wine-loving tourists from all over the world.
A busy calendar of events, festivals and wine tastings create a colourful scene throughout the year in Coonawarra. To make the most of your visit to our region we suggest visiting during one of the following event months:
April: Coonawarra After Dark
May: Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival
July: Cellar Dwellers
October: Cabernet Celebrations
For more information and the full calendar of events in Coonawarra, please visit www.coonawarra.org/. To view Zema Estate’s events click here.
Coonawarra is central to many of South Australia’s greatest treasures, all of them just a stones-throw away. Set aside some time to explore the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves, Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake and the beautiful seaside towns of Robe and Beachport.
