TOURS ATTRACTIONS PLEASANT PARK

The Terra Rossa Wine Club is a fabulous cellar door restaurant and winebar in the main street of Penola! Enjoy a Coonawarra wine tasting while you dine on tapas, wagyu beef and local seasonal vegetables or classic pizzas. Have a beer in the protected courtyard, or eat Melbourne cafe-style out the front with a chai latte or an Americano! Owner and vigneron Steve Moignard invites you to enjoy the fruits of Comaum (pronounced "Com" - "Orm") and surrounding parishes, including Penola. New Chef Kerry Hutchins (previously Gambier Hotel) will delight you with cheeky specials such as Mary McScallops and Penola Beef Tournedoes from AUD30.00. Enjoy beautiful sunny lunches in the outdoor courtyard with white tapas plates and dry white Coonawarra wine, or relax with romantic candelit dining in the main restaurant with fine wines and excellent service. The Terra Rossa Wine Club has tapas and fine dining options, and uses local seasonal vegetables, herbs and fungi plus the best quality meats ... wagyu beef, quail, emu, kangaroo and black angus eye fillet, plus 10 tapas dishes and a children's menu. At the fully licensed winebar, taste Hundred of Comaum Wines or chat with friends.

Located in Church Street Penola, the Adam Lindsay Gordon bust is a bronze replica of the marble bust of Adam Lindsay Gordon in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey, London. The bust honours the Australian poet and Penola the place he called home for 14 years. Adam Lindsay Gordon was author of the poetry collections Sea Spray and Smoke Drift (1867) and Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes (1870). He is the only Australian poet to be honoured with a bust in the Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey.

St Marys Vineyard and winery is located 15 kilometres west of the Penola township in the Penola Wine Region of South Australia. St Marys Vineyard was the first Penola Winery with the vineyard planted on an island of terra rossa soil, that has been in the family since 1937. Barry and Glenys Mulligan are the family owners and operators of this small winery. They first planted grapes and then decided in 1986 to go ahead and make their own wine, specialising in red and white table wines. The attractive cellar door was opened in 1992. Groups please book in advance.

A number of cycling trails are available for you to enjoy showcasing the history, heritage, food and wine, and nature of the Penola and Coonawarra region. Rides range from historical rides, town rides, conservation rides, redgum and wine rides, a Yallum Park Victorian homestead ride along with surrounding area rides. Pick up a brochure from the Penola Coonawarra Visitor Information Centre.

Visitors can enjoy 16 hectares of beautiful scenery at Greenrise Recreational Reserve. Have a picnic, watch the birdlife or take a leisurely walk around the reserve. Located one kilometre south of Penola. Penola has gained significant recognition through one of its past residents. It was in Penola that Mother Mary MacKillop set up the Sisters of Mercy, an organisation which through her generous and lifelong good deeds has led to her canonisation as Australia's first saint. Penola is a town that has a unique yet rich history including the many wineries located throughout its localities. These vineyards and wide range of wineries has ultimately helped to diversify the pastoral economy of the area with an agricultural industry. Penola is a fantastic and thriving inland township that is will provide a warm and welcoming reception to all those who visit.

Visit the picturesque Coonawarra wine region and find Koonara Wines cellar door in the heart of Penola. It is a cellar door with a difference. Along with award-winning wine tastings, they offer a wide range of homewares, giftwares and local produce. They are the proud winner of a silver medal in the South Australian Tourism Awards 2006 - Tourism Wineries, and were recently awarded "5 Star Winery" in the James Halliday 2012 Wine Companion.

Mary MacKillop was canonised on 17 October 2010 in Rome. She became Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia's first saint of the Catholic Church. She met Father Julian Tenison Woods in Penola in 1860 and their dream began to found a new religious order to meet the educational needs of isolated and disadvantaged children. She started teaching in a stable and then moved to the Schoolhouse, which today is a heritage building that people can visit. At the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre there is an interpretive centre with major exhibitions explaining the lives of Mary MacKillop and Julian Tenison Woods, priest and scientist. An exhibition in the Schoolhouse explains the early teaching methods of the Sisters of Saint Joseph that they co-founded in Penola. Saint Joseph's Catholic Church is also on the site.

This 18- hole golf course located 10 kilometres south of Penola is flat but well wooded with tight fairways being set amidst natural bushland. The grass greens and fairways are well watered and lightly bunkered. Birds and wildlife live in the pleasant surrounds. Visitors are always welcome to join in competitions or social competitions. The club holds competitions on Saturdays for both men and ladies with a ladies competition also being held on Wednesday, and a men's competition on Thursdays. The Clubhouse is open on these days for a social drink after the game, and catering facilities and Clubhouse hire are available upon request. Par 72, 5,884 metres (men's), 5,232 (ladies). More information is available from the Penola Coonawarra Visitor Information Centre, 27 Arthur Street, Penola, phone 08 8737 2855, fax 08 8737 2251.

Wander through historic timber and stone cottages that retain the charm and character of yesteryear. Petticoat Lane represents the oldest residential area of Penola. The lane's character is enhanced by red gum kerbing, rose plantings and lavender and herb farm featuring 60 varieties of lavender. Petticoat Lane is open daily. Please call the Penola Coonawarra Visitor Information Centre 08 8737 2855 or collect keys for the cottages at the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre.

The Penola Fantasy Model Railway and Rose's Tearoom is home to the magical and colourful kingdom of Penolaraya. The kingdom, covering two house blocks, is only 30 metres from the main street of Penola in the south east of South Australia. The theme for the accredited tourist attraction is 'Colour, Magic, Myth and Legend'. The kingdom has hosted visitors from every state and territory in Australia and none have seen anything like this, making the layout the only one of its type in the country. We have also had visitors from every continent on the planet (except Antarctica) and all of these people have said the same as those in Australia. The Kingdom is basically divided into three realms; Rose's Tearoom; adjoining this in a large building is Merlin's World and outside visitors experience the Enchanted Water Gardens. A feature of Merlins World is the driving of trains by visitors on a large 'fantasy' layout. Its hands on fun for everyone. Castles are the main architectural theme, with some even floating on water! Penolaraya is designed for all ages to enjoy, so please bring your camera, so that you are able to record your Penolaraya experience.

Raidis Estate is in the Coonawarra wine region. Its wines are created for good food and good friends. The wine list may not be long, but it includes three very impressive wines. The 2006 'Billy' Cabernet Sauvignon is the product of Raidis' home block, consisting of 15 year old vines on prime terra rossa soil in the heart of the Coonawarra wine region. Extended maturation in French Oak for 18 months ensures that this basked-pressed wine is ready to enjoy now. The 2008 'The Kid' Riesling is from the estate's southern block in the Coonawarra, where exceptional white wines are produced. This wine is no exception, and the strong fruit flavours are supported by just a hint of acid. Fresh and refined now, this wine is ready to drink but will develop further for up to ten years. The recently released 'The Pup' is a 2009 Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is a young playful wine, with citrus aromas, especially lime, and hints of mango and passion fruit. A tropical burst of flavour on the palate develops into a crisp green apple finish that lingers.

Alexander Cameron (1810 - 1881) known widely as the king of Penola, is remembered as being the first squatter in the district and founder of the town. Cameron has been commemorated by a life-sized bronze statue by John Dowie, erected by public subscription in Church beside his Royal Oak Hotel.

This self guided walk or drive is a great way to explore the town and the marvels of Penola. Penola is widely recognised as an historic town and many of its buildings are listed on the South Australian State Heritage Register and identified by the National Trust. This walk includes such attraction as Petticoat Lane, with original cottages dating back to the 1850s, a lavender and herb farm, churches, galleries and much more. The Walk with History brochure and more information about the walk is available from the Penola Coonawarra Visitor Information Centre, 27 Arthur Street, Penola.

Penola Conservation Park protects a remnant of the River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) lined swamps that were widespread in the southeast of South Australia. Located 10 kilometres west of Penola, this park contains a wide variety of plant associations and bird habitats, with 370 plant species and 97 bird species being recorded. Spring is the best time to visit the park to see native plants in flower, however there is always something of interest to see or hear. The car park has two rustic picnic tables formed from giant River Red Gum trees. You can sit and enjoy the quiet or explore the park along the nature trail. The two and a half kilometre trail takes you through several different plant associations and over the swamp across a boardwalk. Interpretive signs explain some of the features along the walk. Pets are not permitted.

Yallum Park is said to be the best preserved Victorian House in Australia in its original condition. Situated eight kilometres west of Penola on the Millicent Road is the magnificent two story homestead, built for John Riddoch in 1878-1880. Original William Morris wallpapers, gasoliers, acid-etched and stained glass windows, Italian marble mantlepieces, golf leaf, antique furniture and a number of extremely old pieces of glass, porcelain, silver and brass are some of the features. All decorations date from 1879. The garden, established in 1880, is planted with trees from all parts of the world. Purchased by the Clifford family in 1914, the homestead is still retained as a private farmhouse and is open for public view by appointment. Please call for tour times. Cost and admission times are subject to change.