South Australia » Coonawarra

South of Naracoorte is the pretty wine growing region of Coonawarra, near the town of Penola. There are approximately 20 wineries in the area, and the red wine is particularly good. Penola is a MacKillop pilgrimage site that has several interesting historic buildings within the town. You can see the pretty cottages on Petticoat lane, along with the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre and the Woods-MacKillop Schoolhouse, where you can find out about the history of the town and Mary MacKillop.

There is a selection of places you can stay in Penola, which is a great place from which to explore the Coonawarra region. These range from small cottages to hotels or camping.

You can get to the area from both Mt. Gambier and Adelaide on the Premier Stateliner service.

Wilpena Pound
Wilpena Pound is a rather remarkable rock basin within the Flinders National Park, which covers a huge 80sq. km and reaches a height of about 500m. The area has wonderful scenery and is home to a whole host of animals, including plenty of birds, kangaroos and wallabies. Brachina Gorge is the place to go if you want to see some of these beautiful creatures. There is also a great driving trail that takes you around some amazing landscape scenes, along the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail.

There is just one entrance into the basin, which is at the creeks entrance and exit from the basin. Once inside you can explore the precious area where there is plenty to do. You should also make sure you visit the Aroona Valley, Brachina Gorge and Bunyeroo Gorge as well as the Aboriginal rock carvings at Sacred Canyon. There are also some magnificent walks in the area, which really allow you to see the beauty of the Wilpena Pound. The majority of the walks leave from the Visitor Centre, with some taking a few hours and others taking about a day. If you will be walking for more than three hours then it is important that you sign in at the logbook in the Visitors Centre, as well as making sure you sign out when you return.

One walk includes the beautiful climb to St. Mary’s Peak, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area made up of glistening lakes and lush valleys. This walk takes about a day, and as with all of the other walks you need to go prepared. Make sure that you have plenty of water with you, as well as sun cream and a hat, as well as other essential supplies like a small first aid kit.

It is possible to camp in the bush or in the resort within the pound. If you are camping you don’t need an entry permit unlike day visitors, which you can get from Wilpena just outside the pounds entrance. However, all camping fees are paid at the Visitor centre. Within the resort there is a small grocery store, as well as a counter lunches and meals in the restaurant. You can also stay just outside the Wilpena Pound.

Murray River
The Murray River runs through the eastern side of South Australia, before trailing along the New South Wales and Victoria border. Much of the land has been enriched by the Murray and has produced a good fruit and wine growing area. The Riverland area has many small towns that you can visit along the Murray.

To the south of the area is Murray Bridge, which along with a selection of accommodation also offers Dundee’s Wildlife Park and Monarto Zoological Park. You can also take river cruises along the Murray from here. For day cruises hop aboard the MV Barrangul or the PS Captain Proud. Alternatively join a longer tour aboard the PS Proud Mary. Just east of Murray Bridge is Tailem Bend, which has a pretty recreation of a pioneer village at Old Tailem Town. You can also take cruises from here across to Jervois near the beautiful hamlet of Wellington.

Heading north from Murray Bridge you will come across Mannum which is where the first riverboat was made in the whole of Australia. The boat also made the first paddle steamer trip along the Murray. There is a floating museum where you can find out the history of the area. You should also visit the fabulous Cascade Waterfalls at Reedy Creek (only during the winter), as well as the waterbirds along the Purnong Road Bird Sanctuary. North again is Morgan where there is a large car ferry which takes you across the Murray. There is also an interesting museum.

East from Morgan towards Waikerie you will pass beautiful Swan Reach, which has magnificent scenery. There is a great lookout from the town where you can see Big Bend and the fabulous Yellow Cliffs. Although there are plenty of pelicans at Swan Reach, birdlife is at its maximum at Waikerie, which aptly matches its name (meaning ‘anything that flies’ in Aboriginal). Waikerie is also a large citrus producing area. East of Waikerie is the pretty town of Berri, which is named after the Aboriginal ‘berri berri’ which means ‘bend in the river’. From Berri you can get into the Murray River National Park, at Katarapko Creek, where you can go bushwalking, canoeing as well as camping. You should also visit the Willabalangaloo Reserve which offers some great walking trails, as well as an interesting museum.

You can travel both south and north from Berri. Heading south you get to Loxton which hosts a very attractive Historical Village which you can visit. There is also a winery here as well as the popular activity of canoeing. Heading north from Berri you will get to Renmark where you can join one of the river cruises along the Murray, or visit one of its vineyards to taste the delicious wines. You should also go to the Chowilla Regional Reserve where you can camp, canoe, bushwalk and just enjoy the beautiful scenery. Nearby is also Barmera which is situated on the edge of Lake Bonney. The lake offers sandy beaches, swimming and other watersports. There is also a nudist beach at Pelican Point. To find out about the history and feel a touch of heritage visit Napper’s Old Accommodation and the Overland Corner Hotel. There are also a couple of good nature reserves here called Kingston-on-Murray and Moorook.