Coonawarra Tours

Discover Coonawarra by bus.

Tours & Experiences

Coonawarra
Coonawarra Half Day Wine Tour With Lunch
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Wine Tour
From$175.00
4 Hours 30 Minutes
Coonawarra
Coonawarra Winery Minibus Tours , South Australia
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Wine Tour
From$119.00
Half and Full Day

About Coonawarra

Coonawarra is a renowned wine region located in South Australia's Limestone Coast, about 380 kilometers southeast of Adelaide. Famous for its distinctive terra rossa soil - a thin strip of red clay over limestone bedrock - Coonawarra has earned international acclaim for producing some of Australia's finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The region's cool maritime climate, influenced by the nearby Southern Ocean, creates ideal conditions for slow grape ripening and intense flavor development. Established in the 1890s, Coonawarra is home to iconic wineries like Wynns Coonawarra Estate and Penley Estate, and the region's wines are characterized by their elegant structure, distinctive eucalyptus and blackcurrant notes, and exceptional aging potential. The terra rossa strip, which runs for about 15 kilometers and is only 2 kilometers wide at its broadest point, is considered one of the world's most unique viticultural terroirs.

What to see in Coonawarra

Here are the key attractions and experiences in Coonawarra:

Wineries and Cellar Doors

Wynns Coonawarra Estate – Historic winery with an iconic cellar door and the famous Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
Penley Estate – Family-owned winery known for premium reds and excellent tastings
Majella Wines – Boutique producer offering intimate tastings and beautiful vineyard views
Bowen Estate – One of the pioneering modern wineries with exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon
Katnook Estate – Large estate with impressive facilities and diverse wine range

Natural Attractions

Terra Rossa soil strip – Walk through the famous red soil vineyards that make Coonawarra unique
Coonawarra Wine Walk – Self-guided trail connecting multiple wineries through the vineyard landscape
Bool Lagoon Game Reserve – Wetland sanctuary perfect for birdwatching and nature photography

Cultural Experiences

Coonawarra Vignerons Cup – Annual horse racing event (if visiting in May)
Historic stone buildings – Many wineries feature beautiful 19th-century limestone architecture
Wine and food festivals – Various seasonal events celebrating local produce

Nearby Attractions

Penola – Historic town just minutes away with heritage buildings and the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre
Naracoorte Caves – UNESCO World Heritage limestone caves about 30 minutes north

The region is compact and easily explored by car, with most cellar doors within a few kilometers of each other along the Riddoch Highway.

Bus Services To And Around Coonawarra.

Getting to Coonawarra

Premier Stateliner (State bus service)

Operates daily services from Adelaide to Penola/Coonawarra
The journey takes approximately 5 hours 55 minutes, with tickets costing $40-60
Services run multiple times per week on various schedules stopping at Penola Tourist Info Centre
Contact: 1300 851 345 or visit stateliner.com.au

From Melbourne

You can take V/Line train to Warrnambool, then connect via bus through Port Fairy and Portland to Mount Gambier (30 minutes from Coonawarra)

Local Transport Around Coonawarra

Winery Shuttle Services:

Coonawarra Discovery operates a shuttle bus service on Saturdays for $35 per day (includes $10 wine voucher), departing from Penola Information Centre every two hours from 10am
Call: 0419 373 450 or book at coonawarradiscovery.com.au

Private Hire/Chauffeured Services:

Coonawarra Experiences offers private chauffeured buses (up to 11 passengers) – Phone: 1800 861 190 or 0404 092 611
Penola Coonawarra Tour Services provides mini buses (12 passengers) and larger coaches (48 passengers) with full liquor licenses – Phone: 0428 847 921

Walking Option: