Creative family time in Penola Coonawarra

Itinerary Option One

10 – 10.30am
Start your day at the John Riddoch Centre, where you can learn the town’s history, view the art exhibition, collect brochures and maps on the town’s offerings.

10.30am – 12pm
Having collected the ‘Penola Walk with History’ Map, grab a coffee from one of our nearby cafes, pop the kids on their scooters as you enjoy the 1.5 hour, self guided walk with talking app which includes historic buildings, Petticoat Lane, the old school house and parks.

12 – 1pm
On your walk back towards the main street, call into the gorgeous children’s concept store on Riddoch Street, George the Farmer, with children’s picture storybooks written by Penola local, Simone Kain. Continue on to the playground and skatepark, complete with basketball key. Modern play equipment, shade and shelters satisfies all.

1 – 2pm
Once the kids have burnt off all their energy, refill them and yourselves with a fabulous meal at the newly rebranded, friendly Royal Oak Hotel with ample room to spread out inside or out in the beer garden — winners of the 2019 Savour Australia™ Awards for Excellence – South Australia’s Best Restaurant in a Pub. Or, enjoy the sunshine and a delicious bite to eat out the back of Moss and Wild, complete with a sandpit for the kids.

2 – 4pm
Continue the day’s adventures with a ride along the Coonawarra Rail Trail. This 19km trail is broken into sections starting in Penola and ending past Coonawarra. Walk, run or ride through picturesque farming land and vineyards. Feeling warm? Put your togs on and cool off at the heated Penola Community Swimming Pool complete with smaller kids pool (open October – March).

4pm
Finish your day with the perfect option to satisfy the kids for the drive home; at the old-fashioned lolly shop that is Toffee and Treats.

For family accommodation in Penola look to the comfortable two-bedroom family suites at Alexander Cameron’s, the inter-joining rooms at Coonawarra Motor Lodge or the newly renovated cabins at the Penola Caravan Park. Alternatively, head out to Coonawarra and enjoy an indulgent night or two at Punters Retreat or The Winemakers House.

Itinerary Option Two

10 – 10.45am
Let the kids run off some energy at the playground, skatepark and basketball key down Church Street.

10.45 — 11.30am
Have a wander down the Penola main street and browse through the variety of gift shops, clothing and cellar doors. Lovely homewares and clothing can be found at Moss and Wild, Di’s Gifts and Flowers or Koonara, vintage finds and antiques at Never Too Old, in-season fashion at Salt and Co (Town Square) and Balnaves of Penola, shoes at Attwoods, and even plants at Penola Home Hardware (Arthur Street). The kids can find a few yummy treats at Toffee and Treats or pop around the corner to Riddoch Street to visit the George the Farmer concept store with toys and picture storybooks created in Penola.

Looking to dine-in with the kids that night? Delicious meats can be purchased from Meek’s Butchers (open until midday on Saturday).

11.30am – 1.30pm
Head to Coonawarra for some wine tasting. Most cellar doors offer family friendly areas for children to play and have a run around. Call the Visitor Information Centre for advice or pop in there during their opening hours. Cheese platters are offered at most wineries, or pack your own lunch from one of the cafes or the bakery and have a picnic. Alternatively book into Ottelia in Coonawarra for a fancy family lunch or grab a gourmet takeaway pizza.

1.30 – 2.30pm
Return to Penola and make your way to the hidden treasure that is the National Trust Herb and Vegetable Garden along historic Petticoat Lane. For a small donation, collect some herbs and vegetables on the table to take home while learning about the Sharam family who lived on the block of land over 100 years ago.

2.30 – 4pm
Choose your own adventure before heading home. Don’t want to cook dinner? Grab a takeaway meal from the Prince of Wales Hotel or pick up some delicious canapes from the amazing selection at the national award-winning Penola Foodland before departing.

Visit historic Yallum Park on the Penola-Millicent Road, said to be the best preserved Victorian House in Australia in its original condition.
or
Head to Greenrise Recreation Reserve on the Penola-Mt Gambier Road to let the kids run off any extra energy while having a relaxing stroll around the Greenrise Arboretum Trail which includes 1.2kms showcasing 110 species of trees, linking up with the Adam Lindsay Gordon Walk past the dry lake and cemetery.
or
Make your way to the Penola Conservation Park and Nature trail. This signposted 2.5km walk guides you to bird hides over the swamp on a boardwalk. The perfect time of the day, to see or photograph bird and animal life, as they feed.

For family accommodation in Penola look to the comfortable two-bedroom family suites at Alexander Cameron’s, the inter-joining rooms at Coonawarra Motor Lodge or the newly renovated cabins at the Penola Caravan Park. Alternatively, head out to Coonawarra and enjoy an indulgent night or two at Punters Retreat or The Winemakers House.

Itinerary Option Three

9 – 1pm
Enjoy a full round of 18 holes of golf at the picturesque Penola Golf Course. You may even spot a kangaroo or ten!

1 – 3pm
Relax with a leisurely post-golf pub meal at the one of the cafes or pubs in town.

3 – 4pm
Send the kids to Toffee and Treats to grab some delicacies followed by the George the Farmer concept store on Riddoch Street whilst the adults browse the many stores along the main street offering a wide selection of items and produce.

4pm
Coffees and shakes are available from many of the cafes in town for your drive home.

or

Why not stay another day, joining one day’s itinerary with another to make a mini break?

For family accommodation in Penola look to the comfortable two-bedroom family suites at Alexander Cameron’s, the inter-joining rooms at Coonawarra Motor Lodge or the newly renovated cabins at the Penola Caravan Park. Alternatively, head out to Coonawarra and enjoy an indulgent night or two at Punters Retreat or The Winemakers House.