Coonawarra Bush Holiday Park

Want the low-down on what kinds of grapes to expect? Cabernet Sauvignon does well in the rich soil in this part of South Australia, meaning there's a fine range of bordeaux-style wines to discover. So lip-smackingly good are these Antipodean reds that they've come to rival the French original – although perhaps it's worth taking a generous gulp of both before making up your mind, just to be on the safe side… There's more to life than wine, though, and it must be admitted that vineyard-hopping isn't the most kid-friendly of activities. With that in mind, perhaps plump for a trip to Penola Fantasy Theme Park and Model Railway (15 minutes' drive). You can also take your brood for outdoor strolls along the Bool Lagoon (20 minutes), one of southern Australia's largest and most diverse freshwater habitats. Also of note are the cracking Engelbrecht Caves in Mount Gambier (50 minutes), a great potential pit-stop as you wend your way towards the Limestone Coast. Brilliant bathing spots to try along this lush stretch of sandy shores include Beachport, Southend and Carpenter Rocks (all of which are around an hour's drive).