Editing Padthaway, South Australia (section)

==History==
Padthaway was the name of the original pastoral station which was established on [[Bodaruwitj|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.<ref name="Australian Places">{{cite book|title=Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Australian Places|year=1993|publisher=Reader's Digest|location=Sydney, NSW|isbn=0-86438-399-1|pages=501}}</ref> The historic [[Padthaway Estate]] complex is listed on the [[South Australian Heritage Register]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://maps.sa.gov.au/heritagesearch/HeritageItem.aspx?p_heritageno=14187 | title=Padthaway Estate, including Homestead, Cottage, former Kitchen, Cellar, former Schoolroom, Shearing Shed, Shearers' Quarters, former Stables and Overseer's cottage | publisher=Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources | work=South Australian Heritage Register | access-date=5 June 2016}}</ref>

In 1952 Padthaway became the centre of a [[Soldier settlement (Australia)|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.<ref name="Australian Places"/>

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 {{convert|2.5|km}} north-east of the town centre.<ref name="mp">{{Citation | author1=South Australia. National Parks and Wildlife Service. South East District | author2=Sutherland, Andrea | author3=South Australia. National Parks and Wildlife Service | title=Small parks of the upper South East management plans, South East, South Australia | publication-date=1992 | publisher=Dept. of Environment and Planning |url=https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/park_management/parks_pdfs_sml_prks_uppr_se_mp.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/park_management/parks_pdfs_sml_prks_uppr_se_mp.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |pages=27–30 |isbn=978-0-7308-2665-1 }}</ref> 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.