Padthaway

Padthaway is a small town in the Australian state of South Australia located in the state's south-east within the Limestone Coast region about 253 kilometres (157 miles) south east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 41 kilometres (25 miles) south-east of the municipal seat of Bordertown.

Padthaway is a small town in the Australian state of South Australia located in the state's south-east within the Limestone Coast region about 253 kilometres (157 miles) south east of the state capital of Adelaide and about 41 kilometres (25 miles) south-east of the municipal seat of Bordertown. The name is derived from the Potawurutj, the Aboriginal name for Good Water. Padthaway is in the Tatiara District Council, the state electorate of MacKillop and the federal Division of Barker.

The 2016 Australian census which was conducted in August 2016 reports that Padthaway had a population of 418 people.

Padthaway was the name of the original pastoral station which was established on Bodaruwitj Aboriginal lands in this area in 1847 by a successful Scottish businessman, Robert Lawson. In 1882 the Padthaway Estate Homestead was built by Eliza and Robert Lawson. The historic Padthaway Estate complex is listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.In 1952 Padthaway became the centre of a soldier settlement scheme. The first vineyards were planted here in 1964 and quickly transformed marginal grazing land into a top wine-producing region. White wines, especially, from the region are regular winners of major awards. These wines may be purchased at the local cellar door sales and at wine retailers around Australia. Agriculture is also strong in Padthaway with onion, olives and seeds being grown along with sheep and cattle which are reared for sale.Padthaway has a cluster of businesses located in the heart of town including a deli, general store, two rural service centres, an auto and engineering centre, a caravan park, and a park with a playground in the main street, Memorial Drive.

Other public amenities include netball and tennis courts, football oval, town hall, sports complex, medical clinic, playground, skate park and rotunda. The toilets are right near the playground. In 2010 a new medical clinic was built.

The Padthaway Conservation Park which is situated on a former coastal dune is located about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) north-east of the town centre. The conservation park has stands of yellow gum, ribbon gum, brown stringybark, manna gums, many acacias and banksias. It is also home to a variety of animals including koalas, birds, rabbits, kangaroos and many insects. Sometimes the rare fire orchid may be viewed in flower.