History

Early History:
The sea once covered the Padthaway region. The limestone surface beneath our soil is evidence of this, as too are the ranges running parallel to the coast, which were once coastal sand dunes. This land was covered by freshwater for much of the year in early days and referred to as "Mosquito Plains" in the mid 1800's. The Potawurutj Aborigines named this place Padthaway meaning, 'Good Water'.  Vegetation in the area, according to Goyder's survey group in the 1860's consisted of large Eucalyptus, She Oak, Blackwood, Box Trees and Honeysuckle (banksias). In 1847 Robert Lawson took out Occupational License to graze the pastures, and so formed the "Padthaway Station". Robert Lawson arrived in Adelaide from Scotland in 1839. Robert married Eliza Bell who came from Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills to start their new life at Padthaway. Their original stone cottage is still in use today. Visitors staying at Padthaway in the mid 1800s wrote of the aboriginal corroborees nearby. The Lawsons' had close contact with the aboriginal people and many were employed to help as the station grew. Sheep were bred in huge numbers over time on Padthaway Station. Cattle for beef and many horses were raised for the East India Company, as well as bloodstock horses. Taking produce to the nearest market from Padthaway was always a problem. Wool was carted 75 miles along sandy or wet tracks to Robe to be loaded onto sailing vessels for export.

New Settlers:
In 1872 blocks of land were offered for sale at the "Village of Cockatoo Lake" which was renamed Keppoch. The government reclaimed parts of Lawson's run for agricultural land sales. Small farmers tried farming in the Keppoch area, but most failed due to the difficulty in getting their produce to a market. Land was gradually cleared for cropping and grazing, but the heavy timber, made it slow work. Sawmills and timber workers processed the huge red gums in the Keppoch area for sleepers to support railway lines. The railway was opened from Bordertown to Naracoorte in 1877. Many beekeepers harvested honey in the Glenroy Forest Reserve and surrounding areas. In 1936 another large group of farming blocks was taken up by farmers in the Keppoch district in the Hundred of Glenroy. In the 1950's, after World War 2, soldier settlement blocks were allocated closer to the Padthaway Station homestead.

Soldier Settlers:
The Land Board purchased country from the Lawson Brothers, Keith and Ernest, in 1935 for the War Service Land Settlement, and it was divided into 10 blocks. The new farmers struggled with the wet winters and the shallow water table and had to construct their own drainage to keep their pastures from waterlogging. Constant flooding made it hard for those close to the local natural watercourse flowing into Cockatoo Lake. Rabbits were a constant pest and bred in large numbers. In the winter months most of the warrens were flooded and the rabbits sought higher ground where they were easier to control. The Progress Association was formed and the town of Padthaway was born. The school at the Padthaway Estate was not big enough and a new one was built for the growing community.

Irrigation and Grapes:
In the late 1940s the potential to grow grapes was recognized in South Australia but as the wine industry was struggling, it was never considered an option for the battling settlers. The first irrigation started in 1956 when some flood irrigation was used to finish small seed pasture. The well drained soils of grey to red loams over limestone proved suitable for irrigation in Padthaway and Keppoch areas. In 1964 Seppelts established a vineyard and so began the wine industry industry in Padthaway, creating a significant change in the district. Padthaway today, has a wine industry including some 3,500 hectares of vines. A vegetable industry produces some 8500 tonnes of onions and there is a large small seeds industry.

Padthaway Today:
Situated on the Riddoch Highway, 300 km south of Adelaide, Padthaway today is a thriving small town in the Limestone Coast, recognizing many farm industries including vines, onions, cropping, mixed grazing and irrigation of small seeds. The township has a population of 218, and has a primary school of 80 students (2001). Many of the original soldier settlers have passed on their land to children, who still farm the land. Padthaway now has two wineries, Stonehaven and Padthaway Estate, both having cellar door sales selling locally made wines. Padthaway Estate, the original homestead of Robert Lawson's Padthaway Station also has a Bed and Breakfast with Silver Service. The Padthaway township thrives on it's sporting events with football, netball, tennis, golf, cricket and lawn bowls being played regularly. Many volunteer groups, help to bring the community together.