Coonawarra Wine Region

Travel Guide

Padthaway and Coonawarra Wine Regions featuring farmland
Penola
Penola showing drinks or beverages
Naracoorte Caves National Park showing caves
Naracoorte Caves National Park featuring caves

Tour two wine regions on the Limestone Coast for their award-winning wines, countryside scenery, beaches and sites of historic interest.

Padthaway and Coonawarra Wine Regions are both part of South Australia's Limestone Coast. This is an area of irresistible beauty where wines have been produced since the end of the 19th century. Enjoy wine-tasting experiences, find deserted beaches, hike through wetlands and investigate limestone cave systems.

Coonawarra's first vines were planted in 1890, making it the older of these two wine regions. It is known for its award-winning reds, which can be sampled in more than 20 wineries. Visit some of them by taking the Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail, which passes through several vineyards.

Compare Coonawarra's wines with those of Padthaway. This region has been producing wines since the 1960s and is home to many of the country's biggest winemakers as well as smaller producers. Participate in tasting trips and discover how the wines go from the vine to the bottle.

When you can tear yourself away from the fine vintages, see other attractions in the Padthaway and Coonawarra Wine Regions. Visit the historic town of Penola in Coonawarra. Founded in 1850, it encompasses a collection of heritage buildings, including Sharam's Cottage, the first house built in the town. Six miles (10 kilometers) west is the Penola Conservation Park. Go bird watching in its swamps and woodlands.

While in Padthaway, stroll along the walking trails of Padthaway Conservation Park and see orchids, koalas and native birdlife.

Don't leave the area without exploring more of the Limestone Coast, including many beautiful sandy stretches such as Robe Beach. Drive the Limestone Coast Loop, a scenic route that will take you to Mount Gambier and its Blue Lake, Tatanoola Caves, Naracoorte Caves and plenty of other sites of interest.

Padthaway is about 180 miles (290 kilometers) from Adelaide, while Coonawarra is about 230 miles (370 kilometers) away. To experience Padthaway and Coonawarra’s scenic splendor, history and wine making, drive or take the bus from the state capital. You can also fly from there or from Melbourne into the airport at Mount Gambier.

Naracoorte Hotel Motel

Naracoorte Hotel Motel

3 out of 5
73 Ormerod Street, Naracoorte, SA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly motel in Naracoorte. Enjoy free parking, room service, and meeting facilities. Popular attractions Naracoorte Town Square ...
7.8/10 Good! (293 reviews)
"Lovely staff, accommodating, room had everything you needed, just wifi wasn’t the best"

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2025

Naracoorte Hotel Motel
Country Roads Motor Inn Naracoorte

Country Roads Motor Inn Naracoorte

3 out of 5
20 Smith Street, Naracoorte, SA
Stay at this 3-star motel in Naracoorte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (222 reviews)
"We only had a one night stay but it was perfect for our needs, very comfortable, spacious and clean. We got a great price too, even though we booked well in advance. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2025

Country Roads Motor Inn Naracoorte
William Macintosh Motor Lodge

William Macintosh Motor Lodge

3.5 out of 5
Corner of Messamurry Road, and Stewart Terrace, Naracoorte, SA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf motel in Naracoorte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (329 reviews)
"Renovated room. Great to have dining options onsite. Able to accommodate dietary requirements. Good having toaster and microwave in room. Nice setting Downside: very uncomfortable bed - ? broken base"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

William Macintosh Motor Lodge
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Millicent Hillview Caravan Park

Millicent Hillview Caravan Park

3 out of 5
10 Dalton Street, Millicent, SA
Stay at this 3-star golf cabin in Millicent. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Kay Forest Reserve and Rock Shelter Forest Reserve ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (48 reviews)
"Nice place to stay"

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Millicent Hillview Caravan Park
Wyatt Guest House

Wyatt Guest House

4 out of 5
9 Wyatt Street, Mount Gambier, SA
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Mount Gambier. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Mount Gambier Catholic Parish and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (99 reviews)
"The property was central to everything and was able to walk to most places. It was spacious which was great. The issues that i would recommend being looked at is the fan in the shower was very dirty and in turn didn't work very well and the oven was also quite dirty so we didn't use it and the microwave ..."

Reviewed on May 19, 2025

Wyatt Guest House
Padthaway Caravan Park

Padthaway Caravan Park

3.5 out of 5
75 Beeamma-Parsons Road, Padthaway, SA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf cabin in Padthaway. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a golf course. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (68 reviews)
"Make sure you type in the address, goggle takes you to the back of the property which you cannot drive into."

Reviewed on May 17, 2025

Padthaway Caravan Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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