While it is rarely top of any grey nomad ‘must-visit’ list, the tiny South Australian town of Padthaway is one of those charming Big Lap destinations that delivers surprise after surprise and normally ends up being a treasured trip memory.
Located on the Riddoch Highway about 300 kilometres south-east of Adelaide, the community of less than 500 sits slap bang in the middle of the well-regarded and wonderfully scenic Padthaway Wine Region.
While a pastoral station was established here in 1847 by Scottish businessman Robert Lawson who went on to build the Padthaway Estate Homestead in 1882, the town proper wasn’t established until much, much later.
In 1952, it became the centre of a soldier settlement scheme and, a decade or so afterwards, the first vineyards were planted here and it quickly became a top wine-producing region.
The Farmer’s Leap is one of the many vineyards and wineries in the region. PIC: The Flying Ant
Most of the original soldier settlers have now passed on their land to the next generation. As well as grapes, onion and olives are commonly grown, and there are also a number of sheep and cattle stations.
Today, Padthaway has a range of shops and services, including a deli, a general store, a post office, a mechanics, and a tyre repair shop.
The Padthaway Caravan Park is located off the main road and is surrounded with bushland and lovely gardens. There is also free camping available at the Cockatoo Lake Recreation Reserve, about 20 kilometres south-east of Padthaway. There are picnic tables, toilets and fixed fireplaces here, as well as a boat ramp.
The Padthaway Estate is one of the area’s attractions. PIC Antony Cirocco / Tatiara District Council.
There are a number of attractions in and around town, including the old woolshed dating from the 1880s, but it is the wineries and cellar doors in the region which are the headline act for most grey nomads.
The 345-square-kilometre wine region is quite distinct and is 62 kilometres long and eight kilometres wide, with the Riddoch Highway running through its middle.
The predominant varieties in the area are Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and leading wineries include Farmer’s Leap Wines and Padthaway Estate.
But Padthaway has a lot more to offer visitors than a pleasant tipple.
Right in the heart of town is Apex Park, two acres of lawns, shrubs, and shady gum trees … and the perfect place for a stroll and a picnic. This is also the home of the Padthaway Marker, a striking and massive block of green granite and steel which is said to represent water and the area’s strong productivity.
Another must-visit is the Padthaway Conservation Park, about 2.5 kilometres out of town. This is a great place to take a walk and to see and enjoy the rich array of wildlife, birdlife and flora. Occasionally, extremely rare wild orchids can be spotted here in the spring. And, in early autumn and winter, the place is known for its Ghost Mushrooms (Omphalotus nidiformis), which emit a soft green glow in the dark. They’re amazing to look at but definitely not to be eaten.
With all the attractions, and the chance to sample a drop or two of local vintage, Padthaway has a lot to offer grey nomads.
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