Best Things to Do in Robe: Where to Eat, Stay & Play
Welcome to Robe, South Australia; a picturesque and historic town bursting with charm, beautiful beaches and stylish stays for every budget.
Nothing recharges the soul like a weekend escape to the charming seaside village of Robe, South Australia. With just 1,500 residents, Robe may be small, but it makes up for it with plenty of character. Think of slow days strolling a historic town centre, sipping coffee in charming cafes, taking in the views from coastal walks to the Robe Lighthouse and lounging (or driving) on postcard-perfect beaches.
Located halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne, Robe is ideal for quick getaways and longer stays. Ready to pencil in a visit to this underrated beachside town? Our guide to the best things to do in Robe is here to help the planning process!
Best Things to Do in Robe: Eat
Mahalia Coffee
Looking for that perfect cuppa to start your day? A visit to Mahalia Coffee is here to please. This cosy coffee roastery and cafe is the best spot in town to relax and enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee, made from their beans roasted on-site. Buy a bag of beans or coffee brewing equipment to take home, or spend time browsing through their unique collection of gifts.
Hungry for more? Grab a table and devour a cooked breakfast, lunch or a delicious homemade cake for afternoon tea.
2 Flint Street, Robe
Drift Cafe
A beautiful setting for breakfast, lunch and coffee in between, Drift Cafe is an architecturally designed, coastal space we can’t get enough of. Perfect for relaxing on the deck or picnicking on the lawns, seasonal fresh produce and native foraged greens are the stars of the menu – and what’s more, it’s pet friendly!
3 Victoria Street, Robe
Olive’s
For dine in or takeaway, Olive’s is serving up slices of Robe’s best pizza. Settle into this light-filled and welcoming space for the ‘Bee Shrimpy’; prawn, pancetta, fior di latte and chilli honey or the ‘Spud’; garlic, potato, caramelised onion, rosemary, chilli oil, fior di latte and mozzarella. Not feeling pizza? Order a hearty bowl of carbonara or puttanesca pasta, alongside housemade Italian meatballs in a Napoli sauce, and moules frites. Bring the whole family along; they also have a great kids menu.
4 Victoria Street, Robe
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West Beach Cantina
For good times, refreshing margs, and loaded Mexican bowls, look no further than West Beach Cantina. A local burrito shop, it’s a hit among locals and tourists alike, suitable for a quick lunch or fun dinner where the drinks flow, the table loads up with chips and guac, fish tacos, pulled pork and chicken burritos, and the evening lights up with big laughs and bigger smiles.
30-32 Victoria Street, Robe
Robe Ice Cream
The makers of house-made premium gelato ice cream and home of the Robe Art Map created by the artist in residence, Neil Welsh, Robe Ice Cream is as small town as it gets. It’s the place to be come summer, with ice cream, milkshakes, signature iced coffee and doughnuts served in a tropical oasis garden.
35 Victoria Street, Robe
Sky Seafoods
At Sky Seafoods, it’s all about indulging in the fresh catch of the day, direct from the nearby pristine waters. Whether grabbing a succulent lobster or a dozen oysters for a feast back at your accomm, or pulling up a seat under the brollies at the dock, you’re in for a treat. Order up seafood platters brimming with lobster, prawns, and oysters, or dig into crispy fish and chips that are as fresh as the ocean breeze. The seafood baskets are piled high with golden, battered goodness, making this a seaside dining experience you won’t want to miss.
58 Robe Street, Robe
Best Things to Do in Robe: Drink
Cape Jaffa Wines
With a cellar door open seven days a week, there’s no reason not to visit the friendly and wine-savvy team at Cape Jaffa Wines. You can relax on the deck, order a beer from Loophole Brewing Co, graze on a delish cheeseboard filled with local produce, and most importantly, sample a glass of red, white or biodynamic wines produced at the vineyard.
459 Limestone Coast Road, Mount Benson
Robe Town Brewery
Heads up. This is the only wood-fired brewery in Australia. Locally loved Robe Town Brewery is unique in its process, making a range of delicious beer with an array of old-school and low-tech methods. They use no electricity or gas to boil the wort during the brewing process, instead relying on a wood-fire. Their cellar door and tap room offer a stellar selection of beers to taste and take-away, along with a range of local wines, and other beverages.
Sitchu Tip: Check out the awesome vibe at Robe Town Brewery during one of their regular live music nights – you’ll never want to leave!
10 White Street, Robe
Caledonian Inn
It’s hard to go past a great pub when it comes to having a bite and a pint on holiday with friends and family. Robe has a beauty in its hands with Caledonian Inn. First licensed in 1858, it’s a historic English-style pub that’s both cosy and convivial, offering a charming place to dine and unwind, or even spend the night. For lunch or dinner, enjoy hearty dishes like chargilled Angus steak with chips and your choice of sauce, or keep it light with fresh local oysters, prawn buckets or a pumpkin and beetroot salad.
1 Victoria Street, Robe
Woodsoak Wines
Woodsoak Wines in Robe’s historic Evans Cottage offers a delightful post-swim retreat with a twist. This quirky, award-winning winery invites you to its outdoor wine room for a relaxed tasting experience. Sip on one of their unique wines, including selections named after the owners’ children—Vijay, Raj, and Rani—while enjoying the sun-soaked courtyard. Adding to the fun, an Indian bar rolls out daily, serving up samosas with mango chutney and pakora bowls with mint chutney. Pair your wine with BYO fish and chips or pizza delivery, and enjoy family-friendly games like Connect 4 and Giant Jenga.
20 Victoria Street, Robe
Best Things to Do in Robe: Explore
Long Beach
Undeniably one of the best places to see when you visit Robe, Long Beach is a safe and expansive family beach with gentle surf and turquoise, clear waters. One of the few beaches where you are able to drive your car onto the sand, you can take everything you need to set up for a day of fun in the sun!
Long Beach, Robe
Limestone Coast Boat Tours
Set sail from the Lake Butler Marina in Robe to embark on an exhilarating coastal adventure with Limestone Coast Boat Tours. Cruise along Long Beach’s stunning shoreline, seize the opportunity to connect with the playful sea lions and long nosed fur seals on Godfrey Island, witness the dance of seabirds, and, after a captivating wildlife encounter, the voyage comes to an end with awe-inspiring views of the iconic Cape Dombey Obelisk.
Lake Butler Marina, Robe
The Obelisk
The Obelisk was erected on Cape Dombey in 1852, used to navigate the entrance into Guichen Bay and to store rocket lifesaving equipment. The firing rockets carrying baskets to distressed ships to bring passengers ashore saved many lives. Later, it assisted passing ships with navigation, but then in 1862, after complaints by the Captains that the white Obelisk was difficult to differentiate from Long Beach’s white sand hills, it was repainted in alternate red and white bands, as it now stands proudly today.
The perfect daytime venture, a visit to The Obelisk is one of the best things to do in and one of our favourite Robe walks.
5 Obelisk Road, Robe
Little Dip Conservation Park
Don’t let the name fool you—Little Dip Conservation Park is a place you’ll want to stay a while. Scattered with small lakes, the park invites some serious exploration. Where Lake Eliza is open and marshy, Big Dip Lake is salty, while Fresh Water Lake is astonishingly deep. Beyond the lakes, a rugged coastline and sprawling sand dunes await. Little Dip Beach is perfect for beachcombing or surf fishing. As you wander, you’ll discover ancient middens left by the Boandik people over 10,000 years ago, adding a layer of history to this stunning natural escape.
Robe, South Australia
Best Things to Do in Robe: Stay
Stony Rise Lodge
Effortless comfort meets laidback living at Stony Rise Lodge, a boutique stay in a private, nature-filled sanctuary. With morning yoga classes, outdoor adventures and 6pm sundowners on the infinity lawn, you are given ample opportunity to come together with other visitors. If you prefer to keep to yourself, the luxury rooms are the perfect place to do so, with premium amenities, stunning views and plush linens for a comfortable cup of tea in bed.
Book your stay with Stony Rise Lodge
Book your stay with Booking.com
107 Douglas Dawson Track, Robe
Tempest
With sleek, high-end interiors and an open-plan layout, Tempest is a modern beach house with a distinctly luxurious feel. Natural light streams in throughout the 3-bedroom home through glass doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, while the outdoor dining area boasts epic views over the harbour. Perched atop a hill and a short walk into town, there are beaches and walking trails nearby so you can make the most of what the area has to offer.
Address available upon booking
Tea Tree
Switch off and reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape. Tea Tree is a one bedroom, contemporary styled, self contained home suitable for singles or couples. A uniquely handcrafted dwelling lined with local limestone and recycled timber, it has a warmth that will make you feel right at home. Tucked away on a quiet street close to town, it’s a fantastic location to relax, unwind and explore the beautiful Limestone Coast. Enjoy a glass of local red by the fire pit and slip into holiday bliss mode.
Address available upon request
Karatta House
This charming seaside retreat is the ultimate romantic escape and the perfect base to explore everything Robe has to offer. A coastal holiday home built in 1858 for the Jones family to escape the inland heat of the dry Limestone Coast summer, it overlooks the sparkling waters of Karatta Beach and Lake Butler Marina. Karatta House is full of historic charm and is just as good for snuggling up on a grey rainy day in front of the fire with a good book and glass of wine as it is to enjoy in the summer months.
Book your stay with Karatta House
Address available upon request
Mrs Banks
History, location and style combine effortlessly at Mrs Banks. Built circa 1846, this beautiful stay has been constructed with material salvaged from local shipwrecks. It boasts character and charm, albeit with modern conveniences, to make your stay a unique experience just steps from the centre of town. More good news: It’s also walking distance to the beach!
Book your stay with Robe Lifestyle
Address available upon request
The Salty Olive
Slow down and reinvigorate with unhurried mornings and leisurely walks from your dreamy base at The Salty Olive. This self-contained property has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and open plan living, where you can gather by the crackling wood fire with a glass of wine or sink into the sofa, guilt free. You’ll find all that you need for your beach holiday in Robe.
Address available upon request
We hope our guide to the best things to do in Robe has helped you start organising your next adventurous weekend away! Can’t make it as far as Robe? Why not stay a little closer to Adelaide, and check out Victor Harbor or Goolwa instead?
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