Penola – the land of the red wines

Located in the East of the Wattle Range Council area and touted as the land of the red wines, Penola is located in the heart of one of South Australia’s most productive wine growing areas. Penola is equally famous for its rich history and culture and has many popular places of tourist interest.

Penola is a small place with a small population of around 1200 residents and makes a great place for a relaxed holiday. The timber cottages of the past and the mansion of Yallum Park that traces its origin to 1880 form some of the landmarks of this wine region of Australia. The enchanting beauty of the rich red terra rossa soil, limestone and the vast expanses of vineyards make this place a true haven for nature enthusiasts who wish to unwind and chill out in the nature’s lap!

The first settlers of Penola included the Austin brothers, who arrived in 1840, and the Scottish-born Alexander Cameron and his wife Margaret who managed to obtain an occupation licence in 1844 and established a private town or Panoola, which was later known as Penola.

Penola offers a speckled activity chart to cater to visitors of all possible genres. It has the highest number of restaurants and Cafes per capita in Australia and offers several dining options ranging from casual snack bars to ultra-fine dining. 

No trip to Penola is complete without a visit to the historic places that include the history of Mother Mary MacKillop at the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre. Some of the other popular places worth visiting include the various rose gardens and parks such as the Penola Conservation Park, which is well acclaimed for its rich flora and fauna and wetlands.

From wine cellars to quaint markets that sell organic products and local goods to art galleries and museums, there is something special for everyone here. Cycling is one of the popular options to explore this place. From spas to live entertainment options and a diverse nightlife well represented by bars, night cubs and cafes, Penola is attractive by day and night alike!

From the wine tasting road shows to wine tours and farmer’s market exploration, there is a bevy of exciting things to experience in Penola. The wine tours of Penola are the best possible options to learn about the history and the interesting facts and trivia that the locals would only be happy to share with you.  Explore and experience the real feeling of this destination at its best. The Arts Festival, Penola Coonawarra, which was started two decades back, is one of the most famous regional festivals of Australia. It brings together Penola’s arts and literary heritage with Coonawarra’s fine wines. This event also includes exhibitions, music and dance, literary and historical tours and so on and it is one of the most popular attractions in any itinerary.

From motels to guesthouses and lodges and deluxe retreats and hotels, Penola accommodation options are excitingly varied and interesting. Most of them are located in postcard-pretty settings like vineyards and wooded gardens and offer all the amenities like well-equipped rooms, parking space and breakfast facilities among others.

Penola is famous for its exotic dine and wine options and friendly locals that will indeed make your trip to this wine country truly memorable.