Welcome to Penola
Historic Penola is rich in tradition and full of hidden treasures worth exploring. As you wander through the township the many National Trust buildings and privately owned residences provide a postcard reminder of a by-gone era.
Penola was founded in 1850 by Scottish born Alexander Cameron, a pastoral pioneer who squatted the area in 1845 and founded the town in 1850 after obtaining 80 acres (0.3 km⊃2;) of freehold land (his station was on a pastoral lease) and established the private town of "Panoola", later known as Penola.
Discover the town’s fascinating history on the heritage walk or relive the days of yesteryear at historic Petticoat Lane. Penola is also famed as the home of Australia’s first saint, Mary McKillop. In 1890 John Riddock established the Penola Fruit Growing Colony which was renamed Coonawarra in 1897.