16 unforgettable things to do in Robe

Dilvin Yasa Dilvin Yasa
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Planning to sit back and relax at this coastal holiday hotspot? Robe’s long list of attractions might have you thinking twice.

Whether you’re into hiking, viewing wildlife or something a little more adventurous, there are plenty of things to do in Robe – and we haven’t even touched on the R&R. Let our following recommendations get you started on making the most of this popular South Australian coastal getaway.

1. Take a walk to the Obelisk

an aerial view of The Obelisk at Cape Dombey
The 40-foot Obelisk stands majestically atop Cape Dombey. (Image: Benjamin Goode)

It’s hard to miss the brightly painted, 40-foot Obelisk , which stands on the point of Cape Dombey, but rather than viewing it from afar, why not commit to the 1.4-kilometre Obelisk to Lighthouse Robe Walking Trail?

The loop trail will take you past the famous red and white monument, built in 1855 to act as an easy-to-spot landmark for shipping, as well as the lighthouse.

2. Learn to surf at Long Beach

Surfer at beach in Robe, South Australia
Learn to surf in Robe. (Image: Jordan Kelly Studio)

There’s no shortage of spectacular beaches around Robe, but for those keen to learn to tackle the local surf, Charlies Surf School  at Long Beach has got you covered. Having grown up around the breaks of Robe and worked in surf camps across the globe, Charlie is keen to share his love for his backyard with visitors, offering group lessons for kids, those of a ‘finer vintage’ and just about everyone else in between.

3. Hit the beach

Long Beach might be Robe’s shining star, but the town is home to at least half a dozen other beaches you can enjoy if you’d like something a little quieter (or smaller). Town Beach, with its gentle surf, is considered a great beach for young families in particular, as is Hooper Beach, which has some great snorkelling to take advantage of. Meanwhile, Karatta Beach is home to the Robe Yacht Club , which makes it the best place to sail from.

4. Take a tour of Humpalicious Camel Farm

camels grazing in the field at Humpalicious Camel Farm
See camels grazing in the field at Humpalicious Camel Farm. (Image: Mish and Kirk)

A short drive away from the town centre, you’ll find Humpalicious Camel Farm , a small-scale, solar-powered establishment keen to showcase the wonder of camel milk. Sure, you can drop by to buy camel milk gelato, coffee, and milkshakes, but it’s hard to go past the morning milking tour where you can watch the Humpalicious camels being milked (before hand-feeding the babies yourself) or explore the property on a solar buggy camel safari. Just be sure to book before you turn up.

5. Shop for a good cause at Transmutation

Whether you’re in the market for a new salad bowl or not, it’s hard to walk away from Transmutation , located in the industrial centre of Robe, empty-handed. A recipient of the 2024 Telstra Best of Business Awards, the team behind the recycling and manufacturing business transform ‘rubbish’ such as plastic bread tags into something beautiful and user-friendly, such as the aforementioned salad bowls and serving platters. Don’t feel bad about loading up the suitcase; you’re shopping for a good cause.

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6. Relax with a round of golf at Robe Golf Club

The sign located directly outside Robe Golf Club says it all: ‘Play golf, have fun’. Located close to the centre of town, this must be one of the country’s most relaxed – if not scenic – courses, offering pros and the golf-curious three distinct loops of six holes. You can choose to play six, 12 or 18 holes depending on your time, fitness and skill level. Golf equipment is available for hire.

7. Enjoy a guided boat adventure with Limestone Coast Boat Tours

a father and son sitting by Lake Butler Marina
Jump on a cruise from Lake Butler Marina. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone)

Just off the coastline, scores of dolphins, Australian sea lions and long-nosed fur seals are waiting to meet your acquaintance. The best way of getting to know the locals (as well as seeing Robe Obelisk from the water)? A 90-minute cruise with Limestone Coast Boat Tours .

Setting sail from the Lake Butler Marina, the cruise (one of two options available from the operator) cruises along Long Beach’s shoreline, offering ample opportunity to meet and greet with the local wildlife.

8. Explore Little Dip Conservation Park

 

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Keen for the ultimate outdoorsy adventure? Located just two kilometres south of Robe, Little Dip Conservation Park is a rugged wilderness of unique coastal lakes, coastal dunes and thick groves of coastal mallee offering a wealth of four-wheel-driving, hiking, mountain bike riding, horse riding, bird watching and swimming opportunities. A quick visit will never do the park justice but the great news here is that Little Dip is also home to a variety of campsites, so why not stay and play awhile?

9. Check out the Robe Gaol ruins

 

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True, at first glance, a series of stones out on Cape Dombey don’t look like anything special – until you consider that these partially restored stone ruins  are the remains of a prison built between 1860 and 1861 to accommodate local prisoners. Slowly eroding from sea and sun, it’s best to see the (free) attraction before it’s completely gone and gain an understanding of the somewhat disturbing history of the area.

10. Enjoy watersports at Lake Fellmongery

Crashing waves aren’t for everyone, and for those who like their watersports a little more tranquil, Lake Fellmongery  (occasionally called ‘Ski Lake’) is the place to be. Having taken its name from its history of fellmongery, options now extend far beyond washing wool, with water skiing and kayaking popular pastimes.

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11. Walk the Robe Coastal Trail

The Obelisk at Cape Dombey
Walk the Robe Coastal Trail to reach Cape Dombey Obelisk. (Image: Thomas Cowey)

One of the newest trails to be opened on the Limestone Coast, the 12-kilometre all-access Robe Coastal Trail is a fantastic way to get a feel for the rugged coves and bays of Robe, as well as its landmarks, beaches, maritime history and attractions. Cape Dombey Obelisk, Old Gaol Ruins and Doorway Rock are all covered along the walk, with many recommending putting aside a good six hours to do the experience justice. You can get started from the end of Long Beach or West Beach.

12. Get to know Robe’s history by tackling Robe’s Town Heritage Trail

Old police stables, wool stores, courthouses and historic pubs, just some of the 32 historic sites marked out on Robe’s Heritage Trail.  Marked with a blue, oval-shaped information plaque and located within a two-kilometre radius, the sites are easily found (maps are available online), but those with a particular interest in Robe’s intriguing history are welcome to pop in at Robe Tourist Information to speak with a member of staff or pick up a hard copy of a map.

13. Go birdwatching at Fox Lake Bird Hide

Consider yourself a bit of a birder? Even if you’re unsure if you fit that particular label, birdwatching opportunities abound at Fox Lake Bird Hide , which has been set up to make the most of the local bird life that drops into the area. Popular with those keen to observe wetland birds, including the migratory Latham’s Snipe and Red-necked Stint. It’s best you bring your own binoculars – and quite possibly, an endless supply of patience.

14. Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting

outdoor wine tasting at Cape Jaffa Wines
While away the afternoon sipping on wines at Cape Jaffa. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone)

No need to drive 70 minutes into Coonawarra for a taste of the region’s wines; the wineries of Cape Jaffa are only 15 minutes north of Robe.

Empty the car boot and earmark Mount Benson Estate , Wangolina Wine  and Cape Jaffa Wines in particular, offer a fun afternoon out, with local platters overlooking the vineyard and live music and regular events.

15. Lock in a 4×4 day tour

Kickstart your heart with a four-wheel drive around Robe’s rugged coastline, courtesy of Robe Tours . The perfect way to gain access to those spectacular, yet difficult-to-reach spots – whether it be caves, reef swimming pools or private beaches, a 4X4 Back Beach Adventure tour will give you a look behind the scenes of this spectacular seaside destination. Tour options include tag-along in your own vehicle or a guided tour in the driver’s own.

16. Enjoy a coffee overlooking Doorway Rock

You came, you conquered, you ate your body weight in fresh seafood, and now the time has come to grab a takeaway coffee and head over to watch the crashing waves surrounding Doorway Rock. A patch of sea cliff – complete with dramatic erosion, the rock not only adds a point of difference to the coastline, it is a great spot to also check out another angle of Robe’s famous obelisk.

Keep reading for more insider tips on visiting the idyllic Limestone Coast town of Robe.
Dilvin Yasa
Dilvin Yasa is a freelance journalist, author and TV presenter whose travels have taken her from the iceberg graveyards of Antarctica to the roaring rapids of Uganda. Always on the lookout for that next unforgettable meal, wildlife moment or 80s-themed nightclub, she is inexplicably drawn to polar destinations despite detesting the cold.
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From coast to bush: these are Gippsland’s best hikes

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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

    I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

    For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

    Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

    The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

    sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

    Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

    a couple on Mount Oberon
    Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

    a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park
    Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

    You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

    the George Bass Coastal Walk
    George Bass Coastal Walk trails for seven kilometres along clifftops. (Image: Visit Victoria/Time Out Australia)

    Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

    the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland
    Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The best bush hikes in Gippsland

    the Baw Baw National Park
    The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

    Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

    Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

    Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

    The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

    the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland
    Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

    As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

    the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park
    Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

    The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

    the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park
    The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

    Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

    A traveller’s checklist

    Staying there

    the WildernessRetreats in The Prom
    Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

    Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

    Eating there

    the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

    Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

    Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

    a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland
    The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.

    Video credit: Tourism Australia