Robe, SA
The go-to town on the Limestone Coast to relax, explore stunning coastal landmarks, and indulge in fresh local seafood.
Where To Stay In Robe
Robe Holiday Park occupies spacious and well kept grounds just out of the township of Robe - a 20 minute walk to town or a 5 minute walk to Robe Long Beach. There are Powered Sites, Cabins and Villas available and all come with our seal of approval. The team is welcoming and informative and always trying a few new things to make the best experience possible for their guests. There’s all the facilities you’d expect, plus one you won’t - a Gin distillery on site which is operated by one of the park owners who is passionate about his craft and will happily offer tastings and tours, just pop by reception.
Where To Eat & Drink In Robe
There’s plenty of great spots to get your day going if you’re after a coffee and some breakfast but our favourite is Drift, located in the centre of the Robe town and a menu that offers both cafe classics and some more daring options. Robe is a spot famous for its crayfish and seafood in general, and that is always a focus of ours when we’re looking for places to eat here. The Caledonian Inn is an iconic local pub, first licensed in 1858 and housed in a beautiful Limestone Building. It’s the perfect place for enjoying a drink or a meal whether you’re here in summer to enjoy the beautiful ocean views out on the deck or warming up by the fire in winter. The local crayfish is of course, a stand out. If you’re keen on crayfish but after a more refined environment than a pub, head to Sails. Once again, we highly recommended ordering the crayfish, they can run out but are happy to reserve one for you if you call and order ahead of time. Black Swan is a favourite for some lighter style dishes off their tapas inspired menu as well as a delicious cocktail.
What To Do In Robe
As a coastal town, there’s plenty of great beaches around Robe when you feel like getting in the ocean. Robe Long Beach is a surf beach but still suitable for swimming, if you’re after something more calm and family friendly we recommend a visit to Hoopers Beach which is also great for kayaking and SUP thanks to its calm waters. Sitting out at the tip of the point of Cape Dombey, you’ll find the striking red and white structure known as the Robe Obelisk. It was first built in 1855 and used as a landmark to assist ships in navigating the entrance into Guichen Bay. It’s worth a visit for the history behind it as much as it is for the stunning ocean views you get from this spot. As a spot known for its seafood, it’s always great to visit Lake Butler Marina and see the fishermen with their daily catch. There’s nothing you can buy to eat here, but it’s always good to visit and understand more about the roots of a local industry like this.
The Essentials In Robe
Robe is a well stocked location with a supermarket and a pharmacy as well as several independent food stores. For caravan and camping gear, Robe Auto & Marine should have everything you need.
The Drive To Robe
As always, we give you the rundown on the drive you’ll take from some nearby major cities.
From Adelaide - The drive from Adelaide is an easy one at 330 km, taking just under 4 hours. A stop in the Langhorne Creek wine region is always nice, and won’t add any extra drive time to your route.
From Melbourne - The most direct route from Melbourne to Robe is 530 km and will take just over 6 hours, through Victoria’s Western districts and the Coonawarra in SA, both with several great options to stop. Another popular option is to go via Lorne and then the Great Ocean Road (Port Fairy and Portland are both great places to stop for a few nights). Total drive time for this route is just over 8 hours at 643 km.
From Sydney - At roughly 14 hours drive time to cover over 1,300 km you’ll no doubt make a few stops. Some suggestions of ours include Gundagai (NSW), Deniliquin (NSW) and the Coonawarra region (SA).
