 About the area: the are to the south east of Adelaide is often referred to as the Limestone Coast. Forged over 26 million years by the primal forces of the ocean and the movement of tectonic plates, the area's landscapes are diverse - from coastal lagoons in the north, to volcanic craters and mountain lakes, such as the Blue Lake at Mount Gambier in the south, to the terra rossa' soils of the Coonawarra inland, which have provided the ideal environment for producing world class wines.
The limestone after which the region is named not only visible in the jagged coastal seascape, but inland in the spectacular caving sites at Naracoorte. The region has gained a reputation in recent years as a culinary delight which is complemented by a relaxed, friendly lifestyle enjoyed by the locals. Over the years, the Limestone Coast has provided inspiration for a number of well-known writers. Among them is the man regarded by many as the nation's greatest lyric poet, John Shaw Neilson. Another famous poet who lived in the region is the balladeer Adam Lindsay Gordon, who is the only Australian to be installed in the Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey.
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| Cliffs near Port MacDonnell |
Coorong National Park |
Mt Gambier |
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Natural Attractions
Historic Places
- Keith: The Old Manse (1906); Congregational Church (1910); Early Settlers Cottage (1894).
- Pinnaroo: Pinnaroo Letterpress Printing Museum; Farm Machinery Museum; Golden Grain Hotel (1906); History Museum; DA Wurfel Cereal Collection (Pinnaroo Institute, is recognised as one of the finest cereal collections in the world)
- Bordertown: Clayton Farm Agricultural Museum (3 km south)
- Kingston SE: National Trust Museum; former Gaol and Police Station (1864); Post Office (1866); Old Court House (1869-70); Jetty (1878); Cape Jaffa lighthouse (1868-1872)
- Robe: Cape Dombey lighthouse; Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church (1859); Moorakyne House (1856); Karatta House (1860); Old Gaol ruins (1861); Court House (1855); The Bush Inn, Robetown (built 1852, licensed 1855); Historic Interpretative Centre; The Lodge and The Old Cottage (1850); Caledonian Inn (1859); Robe Hotel; former Telegraph Station and Post Office (1858); former Customs House (1863) and Signal Cannon; 'Grey Masts' Woolstore (1853); The Ormerond Cottages (former Barracks, c.1863); Lakeside' and Stables (c.1881); Nora Creina Historic Reserve (Aboriginal middens)
- Beachport: Old Wool & Grain Store (National Trust Museum, 1879-80); Artefacts Museum; Penguin Island lighthouse (1878)
- Lucindale: Lucindale Historical Society Museum
- Naracoorte: The Sheep's Back Wool Museum and Tourist Office, old flour mill (1870); St Andrew's Presbyterian (now Uniting) Church (1875); St Paul's Anglican Church (1880); Commercial Bank (now the District Council Office, 1884); National Bank (1873); Struan House (1873-75)
- Millicent: Millicent National Trust Museum
- Penola: Ulva Cottage (1850s); Wynns Coonawarra Estate (1896); Old Mechanics Institute (1869) The John Riddoch District Interpretative Centre; Bond Store; Church of St Mary the Virgin (1873); Royal Oak Hotel (1873); Cobb & Co. Booking Office (1857); Woods - McKillop Schoolhouse (1867); Sharam Cottage (1850; Gammon Cottage (early 1860s); Wilson Cottage (1860s); Sarah's Cottage (1870s); National Trust McAdam Slab Hut (1850s); former Post Office (1879-80); Yallum Park (1878-1880). State Heritage Area information
- Nangwarry: Nangwarry Forestry And Logging Museum
- Mt. Gambier: former Court House (1864-65); former Gaol (1862-66); former Town Hall (1882); Mount Gambier Hotel (1862, originally Giffords Hotel); Jens Hotel (1884); Christ Church, Church of England (1865); St Andrews Uniting Church (1871); St Paul's Roman Catholic Church (1884-85); Stables at Christ Church Rectory (1864); Community College (1877); Pumping Station, Blue Lake (1882-84); Glencoe Woolshed (20 km west, 1863); Oast House, Yahl (c.1880)
- Port Macdonnell: Victoria Hotel (1860s); Dingley Dell, home of poet, mounted policeman, drover and horse breaker, Adam Lindsay Gordon, between 1864 and 1866; Cape Northumberland lighthouse (1882); Cape Banks Lighthouse (1882); Public Buildings Complex (police station, courthouse, telegraph station and customs house, 1862-75); Port MacDonnell & District Maritime Museum; Wagon tracks of 19th century bullock wagons scar the limestone flats at low water
- Tintinara: 'Tintinara' Woolshed and Outbuildings (c.1840)
Caves
Wine Regions
Misc. Attractions
- Lameroo: Border Fence Track (alongside the SA-Victoria border's now-derelict dingo fence)
- Kingston SE: The Big Lobster (18.2 metres high); Engine House; Sundial of Human Involvement and Sculptures (Maria Creek Island)
- Robe: Obelisk on Cape Dombey
- Beachport: Woakwine Cutting; Cape Martin Aboriginal occupation site
- Lucindale: Avenue Emu Farm; Gallery on Musgrave
- Naracoorte: Museum and Snake Pit; Tiny Train and Mini Golf Park; Mini Jumbuk Factory; Naracoorte Cultural Arts Centre
- Millicent: Millicent Shell Garden; Wyrie Swamp Aboriginal archaeological site
- Mt. Gambier: Cave Gardens (the site of Mount Gambier's first source of water); Apple Farm and Tearooms; Attamurra Cottage; Tarpeena Fairy Tale Park; Garden of Angels and Birds
Journeys
- Drives:
- Walks: South Australia's Rail Trails; Lavender Federation Trail; Gunawar Walk on Hacks Island near Naracoorte; Nangwarry Forest Information Walk (1.5 km walk among original plantings); Coonalpyn Sanctuary Walking Trails
- Miniature Railway: Naracoorte Tiny Train and Mini Golf Park
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| Regions of South Australia |
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