Limestone Coast

ABOUT THIS REGION The Limestone Coast is a name used since the early 21st century for the geographical and tourist region of the southeast of South Australia which immediately adjoins the continental coastline and the Victorian border. It is the traditional home of the Ngarrindjeri and Booandik people. The Limestone Coast features 20 sites of international or national significance. Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake fills the crater of a dormant volcano. The Pool of Siloam at Beachport is seven times saltier than the sea. The megafauna fossils in the World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves are around half a million years old. There are natural wonders like the unique Coorong, the stunning Blue Lake and the World Heritage Listed Naracooorte Caves. We’re proud of the famous Coonawarra wines but nowhere demonstrates the human spirit like Penola, home of Australia’s first Saint, Mary MacKillop. The Coorong National Park is an incredible spot for four wheel driving (4WD), fishing and boating. Birdwatchers, you’re in for a real treat. More than 80 species live in this series of long, shallow saltwater lagoons. Towering white sand dunes separate the Coorong from the wilds of the Southern Ocean. Scattered around these dunes are mounds of shells. Called “middens”, they point to the generations of Ngarrindjeri who have lived in this area. The Limestone Coast's burgeoning wine industry was founded in 1891 with the first vines planted by John Riddoch, with the first crop harvested just five years later in 1896. A year later, the region's first winery sprung to life, which is today known as Wynns Coonawarra Estate. Wine regions on the Limestone Coast include the Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, Mount Benson and Padthaway, with cellar doors also found in Robe, Mount Gambier and Penola. In total, there are more than 40 cellar doors to choose from.The Coonawarra is the best known of the six unique wine regions and is Australia's top producer of premium red wines. INDUSTRY RESOURCES Regional Tourism Website : Coonawarra Regional Tourism Website : Penola Regional Tourism Website : Mt Gambier Regional Tourism Website : Robe Regional Tourism Website : South Australia Research and Statistics : South Australian Tourism Commission Local Councils : Local Government Association of SA CREDITS Information Source : Wikipedia Information Source : South Australia Image Credit : Umpherston Sinkhole, Mt Gambier : SATC : Neale Winter Regional Map : Copyright 2014 GoPanda Communications GoPanda