Mary MacKillop Interpretive Centre in Penola

A very peaceful & tranquil place to visit. Beautifully presented. My time was limited so this was a quick visit. Could have spent a lot more time looking through the old school & the Saint Mary MacKillop museum. It is very Special & I will have to return.

A very important part of the pilgrimage.A must go.

We learnt a lot during our time here.

A must do experience to take in the history of the establishment of Penola. The centre is excellent with many adjoining period buildings.

The first few times we visited the place was more focused on the history and facts about St Mary of the Cross, along with the Churchs trinkets, prayer cards etc., at reasonable prices. This visit still featured some of the history, but what were referred to as Piety Stall items some 60 years ago, have climbed the price ladder much more than expected. On content alone I would have given it 5*s.

What a beautiful lady, that love ❤️ helping others in life ,before her self ❤️

Enjoyed the history

Very informative

The Mary Mackillop School house is a must visit for those who are Catholic and or love the Story of Saint Mary Makillop. There are many volunteers traveling long distances to volunteer and tell the stories of Mary Mackillop. My mother in law a devout catholic was acknowledged by the Pope for all her knowledge, and her ability to run the Mary MacKillop Centre in such a professional way. My mother, also a devout Catholic, would drive to Penola and would also volunteer in the Centre. They were such wonderful days and Penola will always be proud.

10/10

A very interesting and inspiring place to visit.

Lots of informative displays. It is warm and welcoming. Good value experience at only $5pp.

Very informative and week laid out displays and history of Saint Mary

Group tour was excellent. A wonderful tribute to Mary MacKillop.Ladies did us a great lunch as well! Thanks

Very interesting and informative. Good layout and really get a sense of the era in the schoolhouse. Well worth visiting. The lady at the counter was very helpful and friendly.

Unfortunately, it was closed due to covid.We will return to have a better look as she is my daughters Patron Saint.

could be set out a bit better, none the less, you will learn something im sure, maybe something a little more interactive couldve been fun

A very worthwhile & informative centre to learn more about Mary MacKillop, Australias Saint.

Had Melbourne Cup lunch there yesterday.. Ate in the Sports Bar.... food amazing... better than pub food.. staff very friendly & helpful

Lovely place to visit and learn about history of the pioneers of Australia

Lovept little town with a lot of history . Definitely recommend a visit to keep the ton thriving.

Nicely set out. $5 entry fee. Learnt some valuable things

Loved walking through houses of old, beautifully kept area. Didnt go into main building as had doggos with us but was great to experience other buildings on the town walk.

A must for all Catholic educators to see the history of Catholic Education I Aust

Well worth visiting. Wonderful displays and information.

We arrived late so the staff gave us a pass out to return the next day. Great

Did not know the history here. Very informative and interesting

Museum and School building is kept very well, very informative, happy to visit Mary Macklips place.

An excellent display with a lot of information to take in. Give yourself plenty of time to look around & take it all in

Very interesting and informative set of displays. Well worth the stop.

It was great. Lots to see. A bit about Catholicism and Mary MacKillops work, a bit of local history, a bit of biology -who knew Father Julian Tennison Woods was so into botany and the natural world?! The gardens were lovely and it gave us a chance to see a corner of the world we wouldnt have otherwise explored.There was something for everyone.There were a few things for the kids to play with and lots of things to look at and talk about.Theres a little shop with some books, rosary beads and other religious things.We got prayer cards from the church and visited the little shrine there.We checked out the old schoolhouse too which was very well set up.The staff were so lovely and it was all very clean.Well worth the visit to Penola from Mt Gambier!It was also a lovely drive with the beautiful scenery and old trees in the area.

It was a great place to visit, and learn more of our history, when travelling too and from Mount Gambier.Take some time and check it out.

Finished the Ausdie Camino. Walked 253 km from Portland to Penola

It was very informatve and well worth the visit.

This is very interesting

Absolutely fascinating. We learnt alot about two incredible people , Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Woods. Very informative and well set out.

Very well set out with great detail. Such a beautiful tribute to our Saint Mary and a credit to the locals of Penola and the Srs of St Joseph.

Interesting history about Mary MacKillop

Very informative museum for Australias first saint. Interesting walk down petticoat Lane visiting the past.

Amazing. Didnt realise how much history and beautiful displays. Could have spent hours there

A very spiritual place to reflect on an amazing life that Mother Mary MacKillop had

Cute old and spiritually interesting buildings. Feel like Jesus as you stroll around this old town lol.

My husband loved it but I look & walk away. Not my thing!

This is an in-depth educational experience on the life of Sister Mary Mckillop and the people in her life. Its well set out but not interactive.

Absolutely great tourist spot. Would highly recommend.

Well informed hosts and excellent displays. Deeper history of Europeans in the south-east of South Australia.

I completed the" Mary MacKillop" walk from Portland to Penola on 9/11/18, and, not being a religious person, thought I should visit the interpretive centre anyway. To say I was moved would be an understatement. What amazing people were Mary and Julian Wood. The centres building itself is worth the visit. I spent quite some time there and the ladies there on Saturday morning could not have been more kind, helpful and informative. I do not believe what religion you are should really be a factor here. They were both amazing early Australians who accomplished feats under quite severe hardships. The early schoolhouse was an interesting visit also.

If you are a religious person then a must visit place.also you can try some local food and wineries.a variety of wineries around the place.

Must do if travelling through Penola. Good to read about the history of life in the mid 1800s. To see the original buildings and their original locations in Petticoat Lane gives you a guide to life was like back then. Lots of placards with details of the lives and times and explanations about the construction method and materials of buildings etc. Can highly recommend.

a unique piece of australian history for people who are religious or not. the original school house is enlightning to education in a different century, the museum has plenty of interesting information and not overly pious.