🔍

Penola

SA 5277 • Rest of SA

1,622
Population (2021)
$41,808
Median Income
252.47 km²
Area
$198/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralHeritageWine RegionAffordable

About Penola

Penola is a historic town in South Australia's Limestone Coast region, located approximately 388 kilometres south-east of Adelaide within the Wattle Range District Council area. Spread across 252 square kilometres of rolling pastoral country, Penola is the service hub for the surrounding agricultural district and the gateway to the internationally renowned Coonawarra wine region, celebrated for its unique terra rossa soils and world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. With a population of 1,622 and a median age of 47, the town's community is well-established and deeply rooted in the region's farming and viticulture heritage.

Penola holds a special place in Australian history as the town where Mary MacKillop — Australia's first canonised saint — established her early teaching mission in the 1860s, a legacy commemorated at the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre, which attracts pilgrims and visitors year-round. The town retains much of its 19th-century architectural character with heritage streetscapes, and its proximity to Coonawarra's celebrated cellar doors makes it a popular base for wine tourism along the Limestone Coast. Affordable housing — median rent of just $198 per week — and a strong community identity make Penola an attractive option for those seeking a fulfilling regional lifestyle.

Penola falls under postcode 5277 and is governed by Wattle Range Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the MacKillop electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5277
Urban Area
Limestone Coast
LGA / Council
Wattle Range
Federal Electorate
Barker
State Electorate
MacKillop
Type
Urban
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-37.39°, 140.88°
Statistical Area
Rest of SA
Area
252.47 km²
Elevation
75m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional coach (Firefly/Greyhound via Adelaide-Melbourne route) — Adelaide / Melbourne (limited stops) 4-5h to Adelaide

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
388 km
By Train
No rail service; no passenger trains to Penola
By Car (Peak)
4h - 4h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3h 45min - 4h

🛣️ Penola is a remote regional town; a car is essential; Mount Gambier (75km) is the nearest large regional centre with broader services

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is walkable for local errands, but most services and shopping require a car; no public transport within the town

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$198
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,050
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
47 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.5%

13 state housing + 22 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,592
Census 2021
1,622
▲ 1.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$34,996
Income 2021
$41,808
▲ 19.5% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,374
Born Overseas 138

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 32
  • 2. New Zealand 17
  • 3. Nepal 10
  • 4. Philippines 9
  • 5. Malaysia 7
  • 6. Germany 6
  • 7. India 6
  • 8. Ireland 5
  • 9. China 4
  • 10. Scotland 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 743
English 645
Scottish 226
Irish 157
German 116
Dutch 32
Italian 24
Australian Aboriginal 21
Chinese 16
Filipino 10

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,219
Both parents born in Australia
167
Both parents born overseas
120
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.0%
Christianity
41.8%
Buddhism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.5%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
69 (4.3%)
5-14 years
213 (13.1%)
15-19 years
89 (5.5%)
20-24 years
52 (3.2%)
25-34 years
172 (10.6%)
35-44 years
173 (10.7%)
45-54 years
226 (13.9%)
55-64 years
246 (15.2%)
65-74 years
233 (14.4%)
75-84 years
121 (7.5%)
85+ years
33 (2.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Penola known for? +

Penola is famous as the town where Mary MacKillop — Australia's first canonised saint — began her teaching and charitable mission in the 1860s. It is also the gateway town to Coonawarra, one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions, known for exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon produced on its distinctive terra rossa soils.

How far is Penola from Adelaide? +

Penola is approximately 388 kilometres south-east of Adelaide, roughly a 3 hour 45 minute to 4 hour 30 minute drive via the Dukes Highway and Riddoch Highway.

Does Penola have public transport? +

Penola has very limited public transport. There is no rail service, and the main intercity connection is via regional coach routes passing through the Limestone Coast on the Adelaide–Melbourne corridor. A car is essential for everyday life in Penola.

What is the population of Penola? +

Penola had a population of 1,622 at the 2021 Census across the full locality, and approximately 1,376 in the town centre itself. With a median age of 47, the community skews older and is deeply established in the region.

Is Penola a good place to live? +

Penola offers an affordable, community-focused lifestyle in a historically rich regional setting, with some of Australia's finest wine country on the doorstep. It suits those who value heritage character, rural pace, and low cost of living over urban convenience.

What is the postcode for Penola? +

The postcode for Penola, SA is 5277.