Coonawarra Experiences Coonawarra Highlights

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An afternoon wine tour for the traveller who wants a cross-section of Coonawarra's cellar doors in a limited time, travelling the famous Terra Rossa strip from 12:30pm to 5pm.

Days

4.5 hours, afternoon

Age

Adults only

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Penola / Penola
Around 5pm

Return

Around 5pm

Transport

Tour vehicle with pick-up from Penola and Coonawarra (Mount Gambier and Naracoorte for 6 or more)

Meals

Gourmet produce platter at Patrick of Coonawarra

Route

Map of Coonawarra Experiences Coonawarra Highlights

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Included experiences

Patrick of Coonawarra — tasting and produce platter
Wynns Coonawarra Estate — history and original cellar
Coonawarra Siding — railway history and photos
Katnook Coonawarra — tasting in John Riddoch's limestone building
Raidis Estate — tastings and Coonawarra Pinot Gris

Coonawarra Experiences Coonawarra Highlights

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY AFTERNOON: ONTO THE TERRA ROSSA

Your hosts collect you from where you're staying in Penola or Coonawarra around 12:30pm, and within minutes you're among the vines. The famous Terra Rossa strip is a narrow band of red soil about 15 kilometres long and less than two wide, lying over limestone that was once a sea floor. That limestone drains well and holds water deep down, which is why Coonawarra's Cabernet Sauvignon is known around the world. Your hosts explain how it was found, and why the vineyards stop so sharply where the red soil ends.

CELLAR DOORS AND A LONG LUNCH

Over the afternoon you visit three or four cellar doors along the strip, with tastings led by staff and sometimes the winemakers themselves. Tell your hosts what you like to drink and they'll shape the day around it. Lunch is a gourmet produce platter with a full tasting and a glass of wine at Patrick of Coonawarra, a family winery, or at Brand's Laira, depending on availability. Past afternoons have also called at Wynns Coonawarra Estate, whose triple-gabled stone winery, built by founder John Riddoch in 1891, is drawn on every bottle, and at Katnook and Raidis Estate.

THE SIDING AND THE STORY OF COONAWARRA

Along the way your hosts fill in the history. In 1890 John Riddoch carved up part of his huge sheep run into small blocks for his Penola Fruit Colony, and some of those blocks are still in vine today. The name Coonawarra comes from a local Aboriginal word said to mean honeysuckle. If time allows there's a stop at the old Coonawarra Railway Siding, where the line that carried grapes and barrels out of the district once ran, for a photo.

LATE AFTERNOON: BACK TO PENOLA

By around 5pm you're dropped back where you started, with time for an early dinner on Penola's main street. The town is where Mary MacKillop, Australia's first saint, opened her first school in 1866.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: 12:30pm, finishing at 5pm.
Meeting point: Pick-up in the Penola and Coonawarra area needs a minimum of 2 people; pick-up from Mount Gambier and Naracoorte needs a minimum of 6.
Suits: Adults only.
Please note: Patrick of Coonawarra is the lunch stop and can't be left out of the itinerary.

What is included

Transport along the Coonawarra wine strip
Cellar door tastings
Gourmet produce platter with a glass of wine at Patrick of Coonawarra

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

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Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

We did the wine highlights tour and had an excellent day out, with a knowledgeable guide and a prompt pick-up.

cruisindoug Verified· Travelled 12th January 2026

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