We own 200 acres of virgin bushland, which is full of kangaroos, wallabys, echidnas, wombats and birdlife. Over 90 species of native orchids have been identified.
There is a bushwalking track that takes about 45 minutes. Enjoy nature - it's free!
This is also the home of WOMBAT WORLD where you can capture live footage of wombats while you relax at your site!
All equipment is available from Reception, some kits require small fees and deposits.
Bird Watching
The park is host to a large number of different species of native birdlife, from friendly Magpie families to the rare and magnificent Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo (the picture above was taken at the park by a keen ACT birdwatcher). You will get to meet (or at least hear) many of them as you wake up! If you want a closer look, head into the bush and use a camera or binoculars to see how many you can spot - and remember - not all of them are in the trees - many of them live in the undergrowth!
Ride to all the wineries on our easy to use electric bikes!
2 wheel and 3 wheelers available. Battery charge will get you to Penola and back, and the huge carry basket on the bakfiets can hold small kids, pets or wine! Book at reception (0455 146 647).
The park offers various types of wine tours - chauffeured, self-guided and eBike.
The cheapest option is to use the Wineries Walking Trail Shuttle, at only $30 per person. We drop you off at Redmans (12.00) and pick you up at Zemas or DiGiorgios (4.30-5.00pm) - in the meantime you visit 5-6 closely set wineries by foot - following the signs, with several choices for lunch. Book at reception or call 0455 146 647.
We also run 2 rideshare vehicles and provide THE BEST wine tours, with knowledgeable and entertaining guides and special experiences not available with other local tours. From $139 per person - let us do all the work for you! Book at reception or call 0455 146 647.
Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park is the perfect place to learn how to use astronomical binoculars because of the low ambient light and beautiful open sky. We have up to 7 pairs available at any time that can be hired from $49 per night (plus $50 deposit) with basic training provided. Moonlover and Stargazer bookings already come with Astronomical Binoculars included as part of the price. Designed for moon-gazing - if the moon is not out or the sky is cloudy, you are out of luck. Check with Reception or look up the moon phases in Coonawarra on your mobile phone to see whether it is a good night for watching the moon.
Wine and chocolate tasting
Taste 4 of our own wines made from the vineyard next to the park with matched specialty chocolates and learn the secret of pairing food with wine - you will impress your dinner guests forever! $20 per head (minimum 4 Adults)- Book at reception or call to arrange 0455 146 647.
Yabbies are native Australian freshwater crayfish and they live in the park lake. You can try to catch them with the Yabbie lines available at reception - $5 per line plus $5 refundable deposit (no hooks or nets allowed). A great activity to keep the kids off your back for hours while you relax with a wine - or show them how it is done! Ask about the simple tricks required to get them in the bucket - there is a proven technique...
Our bush track leads to several places that regularly contain edible mushroom species in winter and spring, especially the fantastic Morel - Morchella australiana (popular in Europe and the USA, the native Australian version was only discovered in 2014) - found in spring, worth $150 per kg. Non-edible types, including glowing mushrooms, can be found in Winter. Form a mushrooming pack and get searching! NB: Never touch or eat any mushroom you cannot identify - ask us if you are unsure and do your research.
NOSSA (Native Orchid Society of South Australia) members have identified 97 Native Orchid species in our bushland, including genera such as Caladenia, Pterostylis, Thelymitra, Diuris, Genoplesium, and Acianthus. To get to know your Australian orchids, the best resource is this book Native Orchids of South Australia – A Field Guide (June Niejalke, 2022) - bring your own copy or borrow one of ours ($10, deposit $60).
Archery lessons
Like the idea of bows and arrows? Don't get much of a chance in the city? Well, you can fire high-powered bows at our Archery Range - we have bows for all ages from 8 to 80! $25 per person per 45 minute session (including safety training), minimum 3 persons. Call 0455 146 647 or book at Reception.
Over 200 wombats live naturally on the property, with over 600 burrow entrances. We now offer daytime and nighttime viewing of these fantastic nocturnal creatures with wildlife safety and education as a priority. DAYTIME: Trail Camera Wildlife Video Capture - We help you and your kids to set nightvision trail cameras at strategic location around the property during the day and see if you can capture some animals - and maybe a wombat - on video! The next morning, the exciting reveal - what have you discovered? Great outdoor fun for small groups and families - and kids love hunting for the square wombat poo! $25 per camera placement, maximum of 8 cameras, minimum 2.
After-dark wildlife discovery
Our brave guides will take you into the heart of the native scrub at 10-11pm and lead you to the most wildlife active areas in the park. See if you can spot nocturnal animals using our handheld nightvision scopes. If the moon is out and the sky is clear we will stop for some moon gazing with our astronomical binoculars. Bring a thermos and warm clothing. For adults and older children only. Silence is mandatory. $25 per person of 10 people per session, minimum 3.
Events and Parties
We have built a special area for groups and events, with full amenities including showers, toilets, kitchen, eating area, powered sites and camping. This area is set away from the main park area and allows for later entertainment, bands and other nighttime activities without disturbing other park guests. Call 0455 146 647 to book this area exclusively for your next event - take note schools, car clubs and social groups!
The Naracoorte Caves are part of the 800,000 year old Naracoorte East Range. They are World Heritage listed, and one of the world’s most important fossil sites.
Bool Lagoon is one of the largest and most diverse freshwater lagoon systems in southern Australia. This seasonal wetland is home to a wide range of wildlife and provides essential drought refuge for many rare and endangered bird species.
