Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre


The centre occupies a jaunty building with a gregarious entrance pergola (perhaps not as modest as St Mary might have liked). There's oodles of info on Australia's first saint here, plus the Woods MacKillop Schoolhouse, the first school in Australia for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Petticoat Lane

0.08 MILES

One of Penola's first streets. Most of the original buildings have been razed, but urban archaeologists can still see a few old timber-slab houses, red…

2. John Riddoch Centre

0.15 MILES

In Penola's visitor centre building, this museum casts a web over local history back to the 1850s, covering the local Pinejunga people and original Penola…

3. Balnaves of Coonawarra

2.21 MILES

The tasting notes here ooze florid wine speak (dark seaweed, anyone?), but even if your nosing skills aren't that subtle, you'll enjoy the cab sav and…

4. Majella Wines

4.21 MILES

The family that runs Majella are fourth-generation Coonawarrans, so they know a thing or two about gutsy reds (love 'The Musician' shiraz-cabernet).

5. Zema Estate

5.76 MILES

A steadfast, traditional winery started by the Zema family in the early '80s. It's a low-key affair with a handmade vibe infusing the shiraz and cab sav…

6. Wynns Coonawarra Estate

5.98 MILES

The oldest Coonawarra winery, Wynns’ cellar door dates from 1896 and was built by Penola pioneer John Riddoch. Wynns is major mainstream exporter, but you…

7. Brand's Laira

6.47 MILES

Catchy name, huh? Eric Brand was the founder here, and the Laira was an iron barque which plied SA waters in the late 1800s. Put 'em together and you've…

8. Rymill Coonawarra

9.04 MILES

Rymill rocks the local boat by turning out some of the best sauvignon blanc you'll ever taste. The cellar door is fronted by a statue of two duelling…