Celebrate our region's rich history and artistic talents over four days with working artists, performances, exhibitions, workshops, walking tours, fabulous food and fine wine. With a full children's program, there is something for everyone at this unique event  ...... visit http://www.artsfestival.com.au/… [more]

Built in 1870 by James and Joseph Riddoch. Foundation stone laid with Masonic Honours by John Riddoch. The architect was W T Gore who designed many significant buildings in the SE of SA… [more]

Penola Race Day is usually held on the last Thursday in May. The venue is the acclaimed and  very picturesque course set among redgums with the track actually positioned around a swamp so that patrons have an uninterrupted view of the whole race, either trackside or from the historic grandstand.  All facilities are available on site for both patrons & horse owners. Other race meetings… [more]

The John Riddoch Centre is housed in the original Penola Institute at 27 Arthur Street . The complex incorporates  the Tourist information Centre,  the Local History display and Local History room, the John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Collection with winning work from the Penola-Coonawarra Arts Festival and the Wattle Range Council Offices. It is open 9.00 am-5.00 pm on week days and 10.00-… [more]

This museum covers many aspects of the timber industry with displays of wide range of equipment used to harvest logs from the forests as well as mill machinery and firefighting equipment There is a very good display of maps & photographs  covering the disastrous Ash Wednesday fires of 1983. The Museum is well sign posted adjacent the Riddoch Highway  in Nangwarry which is a short dista… [more]

The park with its spectacular sculptures carved from pine tree trunks, is an eye-catching feature on the eastern side of Riddoch Highway about 10 kms north of the Rocky Castle Road turn off. Information boards explain what the Park and the sculptures commemorate… [more]

The Eleventh National Heritage Rose Conference with the Theme "Heritage Roses- True Survivors" was held in November 2012 at the Barn Palais, Nelson Road, Mt. Gambier. These conferences are held biennially in different parts of Australia. The conveners for this conference were Sue & John Zwar of Camawald Cottage, Coonawarra. The photo is of a painting  by Penola artist Jill Eckermann and t… [more]

Penola is where Australia's first saint began her teaching career in 1867 and the original schoolhouse is now set up as  it is likely to have been when Mary taught  her students in it. The acclaimed Interpretive Centre houses comprehensive  displays of the work of both Mary MacKillop and Father Tenison Woods For more information visit      http://www.mackilloppenola.org.au … [more]

The Penola Racecourse is the stunning backdrop for South Australia's "best country race meeting", a day not to be missed! With over 3,000 visitors each year, come and experience a fun-filled day with fabulous local food, fine wine, fashion and friends.… [more]

 Penola High School is situated at the Eastern end of Cameron Street.  Its 50th anniversary was celebrated on the long weekend in March    2012.  Saturday March 10 was an Open Day at the School from 11.00 am - 4.00 pm with a range of activities and events such as a roll call, Reunion cake cutting, self guided tours & bus runs, sausage sizzle lunch etc. On Saturday night, 300 attended the … [more]