DESCRIPTION
Min. 4 Max. 8 Walkers plus leader
5 nights/4 days walking
Fitness – Moderate, this country is relatively flat however long days of road walking can be tough on feet.
Taste of the Aussie Camino – Mary Mackillop Pilgrimage
Bunganditj/Boandik Country
Explore the diverse landscape and history of South Australia’s Limestone Coast; from the seaside town of Port MacDonnell, to picturesque Penola via the quaint town of Kalangadoo on this taste of the Aussie Camino.
Whilst traversing this rich limestone landscape you’ll see volcanos, sinkholes, wetlands, thriving farmland, pine and native forests. You will walk on back country roads, alongside paddocks and sections of bitumen as we head to Penola over four days.
Become a modern day pilgrim as we walk and discover the extraordinary work of May MacKillop, Australia’s only saint, and Father Tenison Woods. Mary travelled extensively across Australia and beyond, our walk begins at Port MacDonnell where Mary boarded a boat in 1867 to continue on her journey to sainthood.
On the final day you will visit the Mary MacKillop Interpretative Centre to receive your Compostela and glean more of an insight into Mary and her mentor Father Tenison Woods.
Itinerary 2025
Port MacDonnell to Penola, South Australia
Duration 5 nights and 4 full days, accommodation will be own room except for two nights where you may have to share, twin share available, in historic hotels/cottages, with shared bathroom facilities.
Carry day pack only.
Inclusions
· Locally owned and operated
· Aussie Camino pilgrim’s passport, shell, guide book and Compostela
· 5 nights single and twin share accommodation
· Car parking in Penola
· Private transfer Penola to Port MacDonnell
· 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches
· 1 BBQ Dinner
· Luggage transfer to hotels
· Entry to Mary MacKillop Interpretative Centre
Ecological offset – revegetation by Port MacDonnell Landcare
Exclusions
· Travel insurance
· Beverages and meals not listed
· Extra taxi services if required
DAY 1
TRANSFER FROM PENOLA OR MT GAMBIER TO PORT MACDONNELL
Options:
· Self-drive to Penola where your car will be based for the trip.
· Fly or bus to Mt Gambier – if you choose this option transfer to Port MacDonnell will be included.
Transfer departs from Penola at 4pm or Mt Gambier at 4:30pm to Port MacDonnell arriving 5pm.
Before dinner we will take a short stroll to the Port MacDonnell foreshore for a welcome to country and very special story from local First Nations Elder.
This evening you will receive your Camino passport, shell and guidebook. Your passport shall be stamped at each stop on your pilgrimage and be a great memento to take home.
Choose and purchase own meal this evening
DAY 2
WALK PORT MACDONNELL /NGARANGA TO MT GAMBIER /BERRIN 22KM 5HRS
Our pilgrimage begins …
In June 1867 Mary MacKillop travelled from Penola to Port MacDonnell to depart the region, boarding a boat to Adelaide to begin the next chapter in her journey to sainthood. This morning we walk to the Port MacDonnell jetty prior to heading inland away from the Southern Ocean, traversing back roads on route towards a large cone-shaped volcano, Mount Schank/Parreen.
At the base of Parreen you will walk past an original basalt stone cottage built in the late 1800’s, prior to making our way up a short steep ascent to the rim of the crater. Walking the rim of the crater you will soak in spectacular 360-degree views and look back towards the coast from where we started. A unique eco-accommodation featuring geodesic glamping domes can be seen nestled on the lower side of the volcano.
From Parreen we will be transferred to our afternoon tea stop, an opportunity for a sweet treat and a coffee. After refreshments we will continue walking towards Mt Gambier/Berrin, past the beautiful Blue Lake/Warwar, a water filled volcanic crater which turns a stunning cobalt blue during the summer months.
Our final leg is a short walk to our accommodation this evening in central Mt Gambier/Berrin.
Meals included – Breakfast and Lunch
Note: After afternoon tea there is the opportunity to cut a few kilometres off the day’s walk and catch a ride to our accommodation for the evening, please notify guide in the morning if this is your preference.
Choose and purchase own meal this evening.
DAY 3
WALK MOUNT GAMBIER /BERRIN TO MINGBOOL 18KM 4HRS
No need to rush this morning, a café breakfast is at your leisure, after breakfast you may like to explore the sinkhole in the Cave Gardens or browse the shops in the main street.
We will start walking mid-morning, destination Mingbool. This leisurely four-hour walk takes us through the city to the outskirts of town. The gently undulating road gives you a wonderful view back to the tower of Mt Gambier. You will enjoy farmland, old cottages and quarries, pine plantations and finish off with a stroll through a beautiful Stringybark forest prior to our arrival at Bush Haven Cottages. Here you can kick off your shoes and soak up the peace and bird song of this rural property.
We shall share a BBQ for dinner this evening.
Meals included – BBQ Dinner (please purchase your lunch after breakfast)
DAY 4WALK MINGBOOL TO KALANGADOO – 20KM 4HRS
Today we head to Kalangadoo through beautiful red gum country, these trees are an integral part of the landscape and culturally significant to all, providing important food, shelter and materials for animals and humans.
You may find your rhythm today, as we walk these back-country roads with views of remnant volcanic cones to the west. In a wet year you will see many wetlands and waterbirds amongst the paddocks. This agricultural district, contains apple orchards, cattle, potato farms and timber.
A highlight of this walk is the beautiful avenue of eucalypts which welcome us into town, locally known as ‘Lovers Lane’, as we head towards our accommodation for the evening in quaint Kalangadoo.
Meals included – Breakfast and Lunch.
Choose and purchase own meal this evening at the Kalangadoo Hotel.
DAY 5
WALK KALANGADOO TO PENOLA /PINA NGULA – 23KM 5HRS
Our last day of walking today. As we leave Kalangadoo we pass significant Indigenous scar trees highlighting the bounty of this landscape on our way to Penola/Pina Ngula.
This section takes us along back farm roads and can be a bit overgrown in parts, long pants/gaiters recommended today. The last leg into Penola is along a bitumen road.
In Penola our pilgrimage ends where the story of St Mary and Father Woods began. Together they established St Joseph’s School, which was the first free Catholic school for all children and created a congregation of Sisters, known as the ‘Josephites’ or ‘Brown Joeys’.
Congratulations, Time for a celebration drink!
You shall enjoy a meal and rest your weary feet at the historic Royal Oak Hotel tonight.
Meals included – Breakfast and Lunch
Choose and purchase own meal this evening
DAY 6 – MARY MACKILLOP INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
Today at 10am we visit the Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre, you will learn more about St Mary and Father Woods as you explore the gallery, detailing Mary’s life and the work of Woods. You may like to view the beautiful stained-glass window dedicated to Mary whilst finding some time for quiet reflection at St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
At the centre your Camino Passports will be stamped and official Compostela issued, recognising your pilgrimage, Taste the Aussie Camino.
Here your guide will bid you farewell or transfer you back to Mt Gambier. We will finish up around 12pm today.
Buen Camino!
Meals included – Breakfast
Note: Accommodation location may change depending on size of group and demographic.
An extra night accommodation can be organised if you would like to enjoy a full day in Penola.
Extra Activities
- explore Petticoat Lane and the historic town walk,
- visit some of the wineries – Bellwether winery is housed in the old Glen Roy Shearing Shed built by Mary’s uncle Ronald MacDonald.
- enjoy a local produce lunch at Ottelia in Coonawarra
- visit the World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves – describe by Father Tenison Woods
- see Father Woods Park which is home to a series of sculptures depicting the life of Father Woods and Saint Mary.
Please contact Tour Operator for all inquiries on 0408 086 792.
Coming via Adelaide or Melbourne?
Add to the layers of the story of Mary MacKillop, Julian Woods the Joeys their friends and supporters by visiting the following museums.
Adelaide http://www.marymackillopadelaide.org.au/museum/welcome/
Melbourne http://www.mmhc.org.au/
Testimonials
“Whether you’re a power walker or a dawdler (like me), Natasha sets the perfect pace. Beautiful country roads & hospitality melt away any worries about the 80km walk. Plenty of time to contemplate, laugh, chat and ponder how Mary MacKillop and the Joeys nuns educating bush kids changed the course of generations of families like mine. If you’re thinking of a Camino, this is the one for you – it was my first Camino.” – M G, NSW 2024
“We embarked on the Taste of the Aussie Camino with Natasha in September and it was fantastic! My husband and I (both teachers in Secondary Catholic schools), did this to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary.” – Bec Brisbane, 2023
“Don’t hesitate to sign up as a solo traveller, for there is much meaningful conversation and camaraderie to be enjoyed between the moments of quiet reflection.” – Gretel, Port MacDonnell 2023
(Mount Schank) “It was a hard climb, but it was so rewarding once we got up there – we were cold, we were wet, but it was completely exhilarating feeling all of the senses; we felt alive!” – Carolyn, Adelaide 2023
“This countryside is so beautiful. You just gasp almost at the beauty of nature; there aren’t the actual words to describe it.” – Lorene, Adelaide 2023
“I have just completed a Taste of the Aussie Camino with Tash from Walk the Limestone Coast. Tash was very well organised and knowledgeable, she was respectful of the land we were crossing and passionate about the environment. This was an amazing few days, I loved the whole experience!” – Ange, Penola 2022
“If you are thinking of going on one of these walks, just do it! Professional, courteous and caring.” – Vicki, Mt Gambier 2021
“A highlight was learning about the history of Mary MacKillop, and also being immersed in the landscape and history of the South East.” – Mark – Adelaide 2021
Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information
Back to the Walk the Limestone Coast HOME Page
Packing List for Taste of the Aussie Camino
5 nights
ESSENTIAL
· Overnight luggage bag, soft, lockable, max 15kg when packed
· Good day pack backpack – waist strap suggested
· Rain protector for pack or line with garbage bag
· Worn in walking shoes or hiking boots
· Small first aid & blister kit e.g. fixomul/hyperfix, Second skin Band-Aid, space blanket
· Personal medication
· Sun hat
· Sunscreen
· Toilet paper & hand sanitiser (hand shovel carried by guide)
· Layers e.g. short and long-sleeved tops thermal (e.g. merino, no cotton)
· Jumper/jacket
· Shorts/leggings/hiking pants (no jeans or cotton as they retain water)
· Raincoat with hood
· Knee-high Gaiters (especially in Spring, long grass sections)
· Capacity to carry 2 litres water
· Head torch
· Snacks
· Change of clothes for evening
OPTIONAL
- Small thermos
- Hiking poles
- Neck buff
- Wet weather pants
- Warm Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Umbrella
- Hikers Wool
