Things to Do in Coonawarra
Cellar doors are the headline, but World Heritage caves, a cobalt crater lake and one of Australia’s great pilgrimage towns are all within an easy drive.
Beyond the Cellar Door
Wine is the reason most people come to Coonawarra, but the terra rossa strip sits at the heart of the Limestone Coast — a region of World Heritage caves, a startling blue crater lake, one of the nation’s great pilgrimage towns and a coastline of fresh seafood and empty beaches. Here’s how to fill a day or two around the tastings.
Wine Experiences
Wine Tasting
How to taste like a local — etiquette, fees, spitting and a relaxed pace across the strip.
Wine tasting → 🟥 See the soilThe Terra Rossa Soil
What makes the red dirt special, and where to see the soil profile in cross-section.
Terra rossa → 🎉 What’s onEvents & Festivals
October’s Cabernet Celebrations, the arts festival and seasonal winery events.
Events →Heritage, Nature & the Coast
Penola & Mary MacKillop
Australia’s first saint, the Sisters of St Joseph and the cottages of Petticoat Lane.
Penola → 🦴 World HeritageNaracoorte Caves
South Australia’s only World Heritage site, famed for its fossil record, ~25 minutes north.
Naracoorte Caves → 💧 Natural wonderMount Gambier & Blue Lake
A crater lake that turns vivid cobalt each summer, about 40 minutes south.
Mount Gambier → 🍽 Long lunchesRestaurants & Dining
Cellar door kitchens, Pipers of Penola and relaxed country cafés.
Where to eat → 🌊 Wider regionLimestone Coast Attractions
Robe, Beachport, the Coorong and Bool Lagoon within easy reach.
Limestone Coast → 👨👩👧 For everyoneBeyond the Wine
Ideas for non-drinkers, families and travellers who want more than tastings.
Beyond wine →Plan Your Days
- Combine three or four cellar doors with one nearby attraction for an ideal day
- Base yourself in Penola to keep heritage, dining and the strip all close by
- Follow the two-day itinerary or plan a weekend
- Let someone else drive with a guided wine tour so everyone can taste
Things to Do — FAQ
What is there to do in Coonawarra besides wine?
Plenty. Explore historic Penola and its Mary MacKillop heritage, descend into the World Heritage Naracoorte Caves, visit Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake, settle in for a long lunch, or explore the wider Limestone Coast.
Is Coonawarra good for non-drinkers and families?
Yes — the caves, the Blue Lake, Penola’s heritage and the region’s big open spaces all appeal to non-drinkers and families. See our beyond the wine guide.
How long do you need in Coonawarra?
One or two days lets you combine cellar doors with Penola’s heritage and a nearby natural attraction. See the two-day itinerary.
What is the main thing to do in Coonawarra?
Wine tasting along the terra rossa strip is the headline experience, with more than twenty cellar doors within easy reach. Our wine tasting guide explains how to make the most of it.
Coonawarra, Planned Around You
Cellar doors, long lunches, Penola’s heritage and the Limestone Coast beyond — with the driving and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
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