Title: Penola Travel Guide: Best of Penola, South Australia Travel 2026 | Expedia.co.uk [Hotels in Penola](https://expedia.co.uk/Penola-Hotels.d181658.Travel-Guide-Hotels)[Holiday Rentals in Penola](https://expedia.co.uk/Penola-Holiday-Rentals.d181658.Travel-Guide-HolidayRentals)[Flights to Penola](https://expedia.co.uk/Cheap-Flights-To-Penola.d181658.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Penola Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Penola.d181658.Car-Hire-Guide)[Penola Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Penola.d181658.Holidays-City-Breaks) # Penola Travel Guide ## Tourist Guide ![Penola](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/181658/22569a44-8e4d-4578-9005-e102ac2249dc.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Penola](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/181658/421b259b-0741-4428-a336-17007108b8fa.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Penola](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/181658/8017179c-a5e3-4cc7-a5fb-c29d3ebc0000.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Penola](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/181658/648801a4-a12c-4224-a717-b57994d0035e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Penola](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/181658/f8fa4037-551c-424a-8259-5711f008d48e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Penola Things to do #### Discover a town in South Australia that is lined with historic buildings and surrounded by lush vineyards and tranquil gardens. The town of Penola offers visitors a trip with historical sightseeing, peaceful countryside escapes and quality food and drink. The town centre is lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings, while the outskirts are covered with storied estates and celebrated vineyards. Stay in old-world cottages and spend your days immersed in the history and community of this laid-back South Australian getaway. Drive into Penola and you will see a sign by the road telling you that the town was founded in 1850\. The date refers to the establishment of the first pub in the district, the Royal Oak, built by Alexander Cameron, the “King of Penola.” The town subsequently boomed with a gold rush to the region. Learn more about the history of the town in the John Riddoch Interpretive Centre, which follows the story of the region. The centre is housed in the Old Mechanics Institute, which was built in 1869\. Wander around the town to see other 19th-century buildings, such as the charming Church of St. Mary the Virgin and the Balnaves Store. Discover the story of Australia’s first saint in the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre. MacKillop, the niece of Alexander Cameron, spent several years in Penola. She founded the Sisters of St. Joseph, an organization that still cares for the poor to this day. Head west of Penola to visit Yallum Park, a historic homestead surrounded by lush gardens. Follow in the footsteps of the novelist Anthony Trollope, who once stayed here, or stroll around the arboretum and mansion on a guided tour. Penola is surrounded by award-winning vineyards, which are open to the public daily. Sample the rich produce of wineries such as Majella Wines and [Katnook Estate](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Katnook-Estate-Penola.d6212274.Attraction), where you can enjoy a tasting session led by viticulture experts. The city of [Mount Gambier](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Mount-Gambier.d2278.Holidays-City-Breaks) is about 40 minutes away from Penola by car, while bus services run between the two destinations. Visit Penola in the dry seasons between April and May or July and September for the coolest days. Stop by the Penola Coonawarra Visitor Information Centre for tips on visiting the wineries and estates in the surrounding region. - Top hotels in Penola - Top Holiday Rentals in Penola ![Coonawarra Motor Lodge](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/10000000/9630000/9626600/9626554/c90e8100_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Coonawarra Motor Lodge 114 Church Street Penola SA £74 10 Apr - 11 Apr includes taxes & fees Stay at this motel in Penola. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Koonara Wines and Petticoat Lane are located ... 9/10 Wonderful! (235 reviews) Very clean and didn't feel cheap and nasty like some motels. Would stay again! Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=11%2F04%2F2026&selected=9626554&PinnedHotelID=9626554&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=181658) ![A Must At Coonawarra](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31830000/31820300/31820252/4d0af128_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### A Must At Coonawarra 126 Church Street Penola SA £122 10 Apr - 11 Apr includes taxes & fees Stay at this hotel in Penola. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Parker Coonawarra Estate and Koonara Wines ... 9.8/10 Exceptional! (107 reviews) Large clean room, friendly staff and nice little outdoor table Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=11%2F04%2F2026&selected=31820252&PinnedHotelID=31820252&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=181658) ![Sarah's Cottage Penola: Charming colonial stone cottage, WiFi AC Fire Spa BBQ](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/77000000/76730000/76725400/76725320/76f18c56_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Sarah's Cottage Penola: Charming colonial stone cottage, WiFi AC Fire Spa BBQ Penola SA Stay at this cottage in Penola. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Koonara Wines and Petticoat Lane are located nearby. 9.8/10 Exceptional! (48 reviews) Lovely! Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026 [Get rates](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=13%2F04%2F2026&endDate=14%2F04%2F2026&selected=76725320&PinnedHotelID=76725320&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=181658) [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=13%2F04%2F2026&endDate=14%2F04%2F2026&selected=76725320&PinnedHotelID=76725320&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=181658) [See all 17 properties in Penola](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience&startDate=31%2F03%2F2026&endDate=01%2F04%2F2026®ionId=181658) 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. ![Sarah's Cottage Penola: Charming colonial stone cottage, WiFi AC Fire Spa BBQ](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/77000000/76730000/76725400/76725320/76f18c56_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Sarah's Cottage Penola: Charming colonial stone cottage, WiFi AC Fire Spa BBQ Penola SA Stay at this cottage in Penola. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Koonara Wines and Petticoat Lane are located nearby. 9.8/10 Exceptional! (48 reviews) Lovely! Reviewed on 28 Mar 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Penola-Hotels-Charming-19th-Century-Stone-Cottage-In-The-Coonawarra.h76725320.Hotel-Information) ![Henry's Cottage Penola: Charming cottage, AC, fire pit, wifi, BBQ, Dog friendly](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/107000000/106100000/106096100/106096076/1eb8927e_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Henry's Cottage Penola: Charming cottage, AC, fire pit, wifi, BBQ, Dog friendly Penola SA Stay at this cottage in Penola. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and housekeeping. Popular attractions Petticoat Lane and Koonara Wines are located nearby. 10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews) This is an absolute gem! Beautifully clean, lots of thoughtful touches, and the perfect size and location for a getaway for two. It's only a few minutes' walk from the main street, and we loved the garden surrounding too. (So many birds!) Highly recommended. Reviewed on 9 Mar 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Penola-Hotels-Henrys-Cottage-Penola-Charming-Cottage.h106096076.Hotel-Information) ![Davidson's Cottage Penola: Open fire, AC, Wifi, SMART TV, Garden Dog Friendly](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110450000/110447200/110447105/3444b865_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Davidson's Cottage Penola: Open fire, AC, Wifi, SMART TV, Garden Dog Friendly Penola SA Stay at this cottage in Penola. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Petticoat Lane and Koonara Wines are located nearby. 9.8/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews) Brilliant historic cottage with charming fully enclosed garden for the dog. We enjoyed it so much we extended our stay! Reviewed on 13 Mar 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Historic-Davidsons-Cottage-Penola.h110447105.Hotel-Information) [See all properties in Penola](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience®ionId=181658&sort=VACATION_RENTAL) 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. ## Check Penola hotel availability [Tonight ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=2026-03-30&endDate=2026-03-31)[30 Mar - 31 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=2026-03-30&endDate=2026-03-31) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=2026-03-31&endDate=2026-04-01)[31 Mar - 1 Apr](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=2026-03-31&endDate=2026-04-01) [This weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=03%2F04%2F2026&endDate=05%2F04%2F2026)[3 Apr - 5 Apr](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=03%2F04%2F2026&endDate=05%2F04%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=12%2F04%2F2026)[10 Apr - 12 Apr](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=10%2F04%2F2026&endDate=12%2F04%2F2026) ### Popular places to visit ![Katnook Estate](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6212274/bff44aa2-20e4-4a70-88a3-02e242766b75.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Katnook Estate 5/5(1 review) Sip on award-winning vintages in one of the Coonawarra wine region’s oldest vineyards, where vines stretch across acres of fertile red soil. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Katnook-Estate-Penola.d6212274.Attraction) #### Penola and Coonawarra Information Centre 5/5(1 review) Penola and Coonawarra Information Centre is just one of the places to see in Penola, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's wineries. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Penola-And-Coonawarra-Information-Centre-Penola.d553248621562247771.Attraction) #### Balnaves of Connawarra You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Balnaves of Connawarra during your travels to Penola. Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's wineries. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Balnaves-Of-Connawarra-Penola.d6212265.Attraction) #### Parker Coonawarra Estate 5/5(1 review) You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Parker Coonawarra Estate during your travels to Penola. Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's wineries. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Parker-Coonawarra-Estate-Penola.d6212272.Attraction) #### Petticoat Lane 4/5(1 review) You can learn about the history of Penola with a trip to Petticoat Lane. Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's wineries. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Petticoat-Lane-Penola.d553248621532608172.Attraction) #### Hollick Wines You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Hollick Wines during your travels to Penola. Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's wineries. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hollick-Wines-Penola.d6212321.Attraction) ### Things to do ![Coonawarra: Caves, Cabernet, & Kangaroos Day Tour & Lunch](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/48132347/6c99c615-e082-444f-91d9-89d035c97fc8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Coonawarra: Caves, Cabernet, & Kangaroos Day Tour & Lunch £357 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/coonawarra-caves.a48132347.activity-details) [See all activities in Penola](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Penola.d181658.Travel-Guide-Activities) - Cities near Penola - Places of interest [Nangwarry](https://expedia.co.uk/Nangwarry.dx553248635975852347) - [Majella Wines ](https://expedia.co.uk/Majella-Wines-Coonawarra.d553248621562247773.Attraction) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels when you book in the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. 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