Phew. So the kids have finally left home...You’ve officially made new adults!
Now you’ve inherited an energetic posse of grandkids to keep you on your toes, and while ferrying them between sports practice and babysitting on weekends was (perhaps still is) the stuff of family dreams, your heart longs for those wide-open roads and a bit of good old-fashioned adventure.
You deserve a break, right? After a life spent working and procreating (hey, perhaps you still are?) those meat and three veg TV dinners are starting to get old and Pilates class on Tuesdays is about as crazy as life gets. It’s time to plan your great escape! Whether you’re dusting off that caravan or looking for some pampering, we're here to help you savour that fresh country air, explore new horizons and feed your soul along the way. Here’s a few things to keep in mind for your next Limestone Coast sojourn…
When was the last time?
Remember that epic road trip you took as a kid? How long has it been since you last laid eyes on our most famous icons? Whether it’s a long-overdue refresher or something totally new, one thing’s certain – it’s not just you that’s stood the test of time…
Is the legendary Blue Lake/Warwar still blue? You bet! Some things never change, unless it’s by the season... If you’re in Mount Gambier from November to March, you’ll find the luminescent water inside this extinct volcano is just as vivid as ever! Taking a stroll around the rim is an absolute must (allow an hour to do the whole 4-kilometre trail).
Nearby, Engelbrecht Cave offers a fascinating glimpse into the subterranean world beneath the streets of Mount Gambier. Take a tour-guided experience into two stunning caverns lasting 30 minutes. Tours can be booked online, with times varying by season.
Take me home, country roads.
Is there anything like the feeling of wind in your hair (yes, all three of them!) as you drift off into that vast blue horizon? The Limestone Coast is home to some of the most scenic drives in South Australia, from rolling country hills and plains to our craggy coast and beaches - and taking them at your own pace is always par for the course.
Heading across from Victoria, it’s well worth a look around the lobster loving township of Port MacDonnell, where a pop-in to Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum will school you up on some of the area’s most infamous local shipwrecks.
Celebrating the area’s rich seafaring history, expect lots of barnacle-encrusted bells and cannons to curious treasures from other parts of town. A little further down the road you’ll also find ‘Dingley Dell’, the cottage of famous 19th century poet, Adam Lindsay Gordon before venturing off into the ruins and ramparts of Cape Northumberland.
A hearty serve of history.
No doubt about it, the Limestone Coast is steeped in history, with our unique pioneering heritage, culture and traditions having shaped us every step of the way. From sheep to saints and agriculture to art, here’s a few spots you’ll be waxing on about at your next dinner party!
If you didn’t know it already, we’re known for our sheep farming, and as you pull on that woollen jumper, or fire up a lamb roast in the depths of winter there’s a pretty good chance its origins are local.
The Sheep’s Back Museum in Naracoorte unearths the history of the Aussie wool industry, with displays across a collection of old buildings shining a light on our early settlers who took to the land in droves. Complementing its pastoral focus, you’ll also find a good amount of geographical and geological information here to help set the scene.
Join the culture club.
Of course, not everyone’s a history buff and if your idea of culture is a little more high-brow, you’ll also find a few spots to tap that creative vein.
While you’re still in Bordertown, walk straight to Walkway Gallery, where you’ll find culture with a capital ‘C’. One of the few regional galleries to attract both national and state touring exhibitions, artists come from near and far to exhibit here, with household names taking centre stage amidst local legends.
In Mount Gambier, a visit to the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre is an absolute must, with an ever-changing calendar of local artists exhibiting alongside works of serious national importance. Here in the State’s foremost regional collection you’ll find over 1500 items, from paintings and prints depicting the people and history of the Limestone Coast to a significant collection of Aboriginal and 20th Century Australian art.
For something totally different, you’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for public art in Millicent, where a walk along George Street is a kaleidoscope of colour. With a series of murals painted on some of the town’s most historic buildings, new works appear almost constantly, decking out anything from bank buildings to skate parks.
The glass is half-full.
Okay, raise your hand if you’re thirsty... Around here all roads lead to wine, and with local foodies working hand-in-hand with our vignerons, you’ll never go hungry either. Here’s a few cellar doors that take the cellar door experience just as seriously as views and vino. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, yes. It’s always wine ‘o clock somewhere, so park your conscience at home…
Famous for producing rich Cabernet Sauvignons, the legendary Coonawarra is a global icon in wine, and with the very first vines planted at Wynns Coonawarra Estate back in 1890 it’s a pretty good place to start. Sure, you can taste the whole range in the cellar door, but how about delving a little deeper? Book in for one of their cellar door experiences to learn of the stories behind the families, vines and Coonawarra's winemaking heritage.
Loosen your belt buckle (okay, throw it away!)
Sure, after all this touring you’re entitled to get a little hungry around dinner time. The good news is whatever your taste and budget, there’s a chair and plate with your name on it if you’re looking for quality local grub, with all sorts of dietaries catered to.
In Penola, hit up the Royal Oak Hotel for a seasonal menu with all the classics, plus an extensive local wine list that can be added to by grabbing one from the cellar and plonking it on the table for a small corkage fee.
What’s a world-renowned wine region without a world-class restaurant? At Pipers of Penola you’ll not only find delicious meals made from fresh, local produce but also some of the best chefs in the country. Housed in a renovated Methodist church, this place is a mecca for foodies nationwide, dishing up anything from local lamb and roast Jerusalem artichoke tortellini to seared whiting and Coffin Bay oysters.
A home on the road.
We’ve already flagged a few of our favourite places to stay - but what if you’re towing, and are there other options?
All major centres have at least one caravan park in town, with most having multiple accommodation types from on-site vans and cabins to glamping and more.
No matter how big your rig, how tight your budget, or how special the occasion, there’s always something to suit.
In Mount Gambier, the Blue Lake Holiday Park sits right beside its namesake, with Pine Country Caravan Park just down the road. Southgate Motel and Motel Mount Gambier also offer good facilities if you’re not keen on parks, while for something a bit fancy, try Aloha Central Luxury Apartments and Delgattie Estate.
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