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/181658/22569a44-8e4d-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) ## 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. ![](https://forever.travel-assets.com/flex/flexmanager/images/2026/02/06/expedia-sale-2026-desktop-uk-fr-de.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1400&h=600&q=mediumHigh) ## The Annual Holiday Sale Members save up to 40% on hotels and holiday homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save. [Book now](https://expedia.co.uk/cheap-deals?rfrr=DX_SPRING_PROMO_181658) - 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 £77 10 Mar - 11 Mar 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! (234 reviews) Room was ok. TV system very poor. Pixily. Disappointed that there was no restaurant or pub as in the Expedia booking. Reviewed on 21 Feb 2026 [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=10%2F03%2F2026&endDate=11%2F03%2F2026&selected=9626554&PinnedHotelID=9626554&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=181658) ![Alexander Cameron Suites](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/10000000/9630000/9624700/9624689/6588eaa0_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Alexander Cameron Suites 23-25 Church Street Penola SA £112 15 Mar - 16 Mar includes taxes & fees Stay at this business-friendly motel in Penola. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ... [](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=15%2F03%2F2026&endDate=16%2F03%2F2026&selected=9624689&PinnedHotelID=9624689&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 £123 10 Mar - 11 Mar 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%2F03%2F2026&endDate=11%2F03%2F2026&selected=31820252&PinnedHotelID=31820252&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=181658) [See all 18 properties in Penola](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience&startDate=10%2F03%2F2026&endDate=11%2F03%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! (47 reviews) The cottage met all our needs and was in quiet location which was close to the amenities of Penola. Reviewed on 3 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! (2 reviews) The cottage had lots of character and all the amenities we needed for our stay It was excellent for our cavoodle Nell to have the freedom in the garden Reviewed on 2 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! (18 reviews) We had a great time Will recommend to family and friends Thanks to National Trust S.A.Penola branch Reviewed on 8 Jan 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=2026-03-09&endDate=2026-03-10)[9 Mar - 10 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=2026-03-09&endDate=2026-03-10) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=2026-03-10&endDate=2026-03-11)[10 Mar - 11 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=2026-03-10&endDate=2026-03-11) [This weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=13%2F03%2F2026&endDate=15%2F03%2F2026)[13 Mar - 15 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=13%2F03%2F2026&endDate=15%2F03%2F2026) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=20%2F03%2F2026&endDate=22%2F03%2F2026)[20 Mar - 22 Mar](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=181658&startDate=20%2F03%2F2026&endDate=22%2F03%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 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 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) #### Parker Coonawarra Estate 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 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) #### 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) ### Things to do ![Katnook Estate: Icon Wine Tasting and Regional Platter for 2](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/47725547/2085f5ea-be82-46ab-ad1f-27a293cf702c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Katnook Estate: Icon Wine Tasting and Regional Platter for 2 £26 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/katnook-estate-icon-wine-tasting-and-regional-platter-for-2.a47725547.activity-details) ![Coonawarra: Private Full-Day Guided Wine Tour and Lunch](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/46368621/f0c997da-d495-4d5c-bc50-c0f3a46cba24.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Coonawarra: Private Full-Day Guided Wine Tour and Lunch £170 per adult [](https://expedia.co.uk/things-to-do/coonawarra-private-full-day-guided-wine-tour-and-lunch.a46368621.activity-details) ![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 £355 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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