Halfway down the Lower South Australian coast, Kingston SE is a quiet fishing town, often used by travellers as a southern base for tours into the unique environment of The Coorong (see adjacent section). Those arriving from the northern end of town will be greeted by a ten metre lobster named Larry, which is testament not only to the fishing fleet's main catch, but to the Australian obsession with enlarged floraand fauna. Behind the gargantuan crustacean, the town's tourist centre can provide extra information on the area's major highlights, which include the rocket-shaped Cape Jaffa Lighthouse and the week long Lobsterfest celebration in January. Seafood lovers who can't make it forJanuary needn't despair, as freshly cooked lobster is available from thejetty between October and April.
Directly south of Kingston SE via a detour of the main highway, thehistoric fishing towns of Robe and Beachport are two of the most charming seaside hamlets anywhere on the South Australiancoastline. Boasting peaceful atmospheres and settings on picturesquebays ideal for swimming and fishing, both have not surprisingly become extremely popular holiday destinations with the citysiders of Adelaide,especially during the summer months when the towns populations can swellto almost three times their normal size. Book ahead!
94 kilometres inland from Kingston SE, the large rural town of Naracoorte is located on the main road connecting Keith and Mount Gambier (see adjacent sections). Although Naracoorte is one of the oldest settlements in the state, its most famous attraction has nothingto do with its colonial history, but everything to do with the WorldHeritage listed Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park, just south of the town centre. The extraordinary limestone caves contained within thepark are some of the most fascinating underground chambers on the continent, and fortunately, the four most spectacular are open to the public for daily tours. The Victoria Fossil Cave is particularlynoteworthy, featuring a wealth of animal fossils including the enormous,Ice Age relatives of both the kangaroo and wombat. At the entrance to the park, the outstanding Wonambi Fossil Centre has recreated the lush rainforest environment which was once the domain of these megafauna, as well as life-sized, computer controlled models of the actual beasts.
A few more kilometres out of Naracoorte, the Bool Lagoon Game Reserve is one of the largest freshwater lagoon systems remaining in Australia, and an absolute must for bird-watchers. A series of elevated boardwalks penetrate deep into the home of over 150 different bird species (some migratory), providing the perfect vantage point for watching all the feathered interaction. While in town, the intriguing Naracoorte Museum and Snake Pit, and the award-winning Sheep's Back Museum are also worth a look.
Just over thirty kilometres directly south of Naracoote, the tiny townof Coonawarra is another good reason for travellers to visit thiscorner of Lower South Australia. Although the township itself is notmuch more than general store and a quaint little church, it is surrounded by a compact yet celebrated wine growing area, responsible for putting Coonawarra on the international map. The Coonawarra's twentyor so wineries are renowned for their superb red and white table wines,and most are open daily for tastings and cellar-door sales. (for a listing, see Wineries under Things To Do)
After a few glasses of a smooth red, there's more than a good chance youmay wish to stay in the area overnight (or even longer). The best bet accommodation wise, is the gorgeous old town of Penola, just a few hundred metres away from the Coonawarra southern most wineries. Considering its population, the Penola district boasts an excellent range of comfortable places to stay, including many historic cottages which have been converted into cosy guesthouses and B&B's. Any visit to Penola should also include a stroll down Petticoat Lane, where art and craft outlets, colonial buildings, and monuments to Aussie saint Mother Mary MacKillop line the pavement.
