On the road Part iV
This blog is really an excuse to talk about the joy of visiting Robe and Penola SA and the Sir George in Jugiong NSW on the way back from Adelaide.
Returning to Canberra from Adelaide via the Coonawarra involves a drive along the edge of the Coorong, SA. For those that need a break on the road there are great bakeries in Meningie and Kingston. Kingston in the Southeast is famous for The Big Lobster but call into town and find bliss which has lovely homewares. Robe is a fishing village that is swamped in the summertime but as an occasional visitor I still enjoy the stroll along the main street. In a previous blog I mentioned this is the home of Holiday they have a warehouse in Robe’s industrial park which is fun to visit particularly if you are calling into Mahalia Coffee I do not know if there is a more exotically or deliciously decorated demountable anywhere else but if you have found one I would love to visit it and compare. You enter another world as you enter the demountable, one was not only do you get a good coffee but where you can buy your Limoges coffee cup as well.
Back to the main shopping trip call into White Lily of Robe which carries women and children’s clothes and shoes as well as homewares and beauty products. Salubrious Apparel (on the other side of the street) has fun men’s t-shirts. Me and Miss Jones has a nice collection of jewellery, and linen clothes. Daisy Says is a fresh brand. The clothes are casual but tailored made from quality fabrics. It was one of my finds of my recent trip.
Inland from Robe you find Penola which is in the heart of the Coonawarra. There are too many winery options to mention but in the main street of Penola you will find Koonara’s cellar door. You can taste the wine here but also shop for great homewares and cooking accessories. Across the road is Balnaves clothing Penola This is a traditional country retailer and well worth a visit. Another retailer to visit if Jill’s Vintage Clothing & Accessories located in the original Penola Post Office Jill’s has some real treasures including tea cosies by Trevor Smith. On this trip I was thrilled to buy a Bill Blass suit. I also got to enjoy a dress by Jenny Kee and another by Linda Jackson which had come with catalogues from shows the clothes featured in. If the store is open, it is a must visit. The main street also boasts a terrific antiques store called Never too Old and for art go to the Penola Art Gallery also on the main street at 55 Church Street. We have stayed at the Alexander Cameron Suites a number of times and can thoroughly recommend it and no much beat dinner in the beer garden of the Royal Oak.
On the final leg of the trip call into the Sir George Hotel which is in Jugiong NSW. The homewares and clothes have moved upstairs, it is a treat to be able to go upstairs and experiences the hotels quirky layout. Coffee in the garden is the perfect way to end a trip home….
