Coonawarra: Wine Trail, Cellar Doors and Old Vines

Coonawarra invites you to discover its wine region not only through tastings, but also on foot and along a former railway line. The Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail passes through vineyards and open rural landscapes; the cellar doors combine tastings with food, hosted experiences and architecture. Also worth discovering is Coonawarra Railway Siding, a distinctive landmark with a history dating back to the early settlement. Together, these offer different ways to shape your stay—from a leisurely walk to a longer route on a sealed surface.

Walk through vineyards and open country

The Coonawarra Wineries Walking Trail is five kilometres long and rated easy. It connects six well-known wineries and is designed for leisurely walks and wine tastings. The landscape along the route is part of the experience, with vineyards alternating with open rural stretches. The trail brings walking and the wine region together in a direct way, without making the distance covered the sole focus.

When planning your day, it is useful to note how this differs from the longer cycling trail: the focus here is on an easy, five-kilometre walk combined with tastings. For those who want to experience Coonawarra on foot, it offers a specific way to explore the wine landscape and the wineries connected by the trail.

A railway line with a new purpose

Coonawarra Railway Siding lies on the edge of the township. This iconic landmark played an important role during Coonawarra’s early settlement. The former railway line at the siding also tells part of this history: in November 2022, it was converted into a 19-kilometre sealed cycling trail. The trail is suitable for walkers, cyclists, scooter riders, runners and joggers.

The two trails offer different experiences: the Wineries Walking Trail is an easy five kilometres, while the former railway line provides a 19-kilometre sealed route for a range of activities. If you are planning an active stay, these details can help you decide whether a leisurely walk or the longer trail better suits your plans for the day.

Tastings, food and cellar history

At Brand’s Laira, old vines date back to 1893. The full range of wines is available for tasting at the cellar door: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay, rosé and a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot. There is also a choice of meals: guests can pre-order Ploughman’s platters or choose from a light lunch menu.

At Redman Wines, a guided tasting includes eight personally selected premium and aged wines from the exclusive cellar collection. Booking conditions and availability may change; check them if you are planning a tasting. Visitors and their guests can enjoy bookable, hosted cellar-door experiences at Katnook Estate. These include premium structured tastings, special events, regional festivals and tours. Individual events and availability may change; check the dates if you have a particular experience in mind.

The architecture is also part of the discovery: the retail area of the Bowen Estate cellar door was originally a dairy dating from the early 1900s. Its original hand-sawn beams, gabled roof and veranda, now shaded by foliage, have been preserved. The cellar doors therefore differ not only in their tasting and food offerings, but also in their history and character.

Experiences to guide your accommodation search

When looking for a holiday rental in Coonawarra, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your stay. The easy wine trail combines leisurely walking with tastings; the sealed 19-kilometre trail offers a longer route and a range of activities. At the cellar doors, you can also enjoy wine, food, hosted experiences and historic architecture.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Beachport, Millicent, Penola, Southend.

Back to the main travel overview: Wattle Range Council.