Robe
Robe's main street.
Is a town and fishing port on the South East Limestone Coast of South Australia. The town’s distinctive combination of historical buildings, ocean, fishing fleets, lakes and dense bush is widely appreciated. Robe lies on the southern shore of Guichen Bay, just off the Princes Highway. At the 2006 census, Robe had a population of 1,246. Guichen Bay was named by the French explorer Nicolas Baudin after Admiral De Guichen in 1802, as he was charting the south coast of Australia. Part of it is protected in the Guichen Bay Conservation Park. Robe is one of the oldest towns in South Australia, founded by the colonial government as a seaport, administrative centre and village only ten years after British settlers formally established the Province of South Australia. Robe was named after the fourth Governor of South Australia, Major Frederick Robe, who chose the site as a port in 1845. The town was proclaimed as a port in 1847. It became South Australia’s second-busiest (after Port Adelaide) international port in the 1850s. Robe’s trade was drawn from a large hinterland that extended into western Victoria, and many roadside inns were built to cater for the bullock teamsters bringing down the wool, including th ‘Bush Inn’ still standing on the outskirts of Robe. Exports included horses and sheep skins and wool. The Customs House is listed by the National Trust of Australia. A stone obelisk was built on Cape Dombey in 1852 to assist ships to navigate safely into the bay. Even so, there have been a number of shipwrecks along the coast in the area. An automatic lighthouse was built on higher ground in 1973.
During the Victorian gold rushes around 1857, over 16,000 Chinese people landed at Robe to travel overland to the goldfields, as Victoria introduced a landing tax of £10 per person (more than the cost of their voyage) to reduce the number of Chinese immigrants. The immigrants then walked the 200 miles (320 km) to Ballarat and Bendigo. Robe’s importance decreased with the advent of railways which didn’t come to the town. It became a local service centre for the surrounding rural areas. It is still home to a fleet of fishing boats. Especially important are the local lobsters. Robe is the main town in the District Council of Robe local government area. It is in the state electorate of MacKillop and the federal Division of Barker.
Beacon Hill Lookout
Beacon Hill Lookout
Beacon Hill Road
Robe
South Australia
Australia
Originally an old navigational point, Beacon Hill Lookout Tower overlooks Robe. The tower offers stunning views across the town to the ocean and bay and was built as part of Robe 150 Jubilee year celebrations. The tower was built by local contractor Marc Dawson and constructed with a central core of Mount Gambier stone ashlars and a freestone face. A poured in-situ reinforced concrete staircase leads to the top viewing platform. Local, paddock-picked, limestone collected from nearby properties was used for the freestone face. Access to the base of the tower is by a timber boardwalk, approximately 28 metres long and with an overall rise of over three metres, was constructed by the Robe and District Lions Club, 13 members contributed in excess of 130 hours of voluntary labour.
Cape Jaffa Wines
Cape Jaffa Wines
Limestone Coast Road
Mount Benson
South Australia
Australia
Visit a cellar door built out of limestone collected on the property. Cape Jaffa Wine complex has panoramic views of the surrounding hinterland. A warm atmosphere has been created from the melding of the freestone and hardwood timbers. The Barrel Room is built into the side of the hill adjacent to cellar door which has lovely views and is surrounded by vines and an olive grove. You’ll find wine, olive oil, local almonds and related Cape Jaffa merchandise for sale. Groups please book in advance.
Monday: 10am to 5pm Tuesday: 10am to 5pm Wednesday: 10am to 5pm Thursday: 10am to 5pm Friday: 10am to 5pm Saturday: 10am to 5pm Sunday: 10am to 5pm Public Holiday: 10am to 5pm Christms Day: Closed Good Friday: Closed.
Karatta Winery
Robe Penola Road
Karatta Winery
Robe
South Australia
Australia
Karatta Winery is a boutique winery on the Robe Penola Road, 20 kilometres from Robe. 80 acres of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are planted at the Karatta Vineyard in terra rossa soil over limestone, the red wines in 1996/1997 and the white wines in 2005/2006. The wine is made in the Karatta Winery and is sold at the cellar door, locally in the southeast of South Australia and at various other locations. We have the straight varietals of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon for sale as well as Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon blend, a Rose, and Sparkling Shiraz from grapes grown in the Karatta Vineyard. We also supply Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Monday: By appointment. Tuesday: By appointment. Wednesday: By appointment. Thursday: By appointment. Friday: By appointment. Saturday: 11am to 4pm. Sunday: 11am to 4pm. Public Holiday: 11am to 4pm. Christms Day: Closed. Good Friday: Closed.
Robe Golf Club
Robe Golf Club
129 Morphett Street
Robe
South Australia
Australia
Robe is located on the Limestone Coast, 340 kilometres south east of Adelaide, South Australia and 580 kilometres north west of Melbourne, Victoria. The Robe Golf Course is a 14-fairway layout, played as 18-holes. Four fairways are played twice, two from a different tee. The course is situated in amongst the beautiful landscape of sand dunes and natural flora and fauna. The Robe Golf Club can be hired out for specials occasions and functions such as weddings, birthdays, parties, anniversaries, engagements and more. We have a fully licensed bar, kitchen, restrooms and car park.
Monday: Sunrise to Sunset Tuesday: Sunrise to Sunset Wednesday: Sunrise to Sunset Thursday: Sunrise to Sunset Friday: Sunrise to Sunset Saturday: Sunrise to Sunset Sunday: Sunrise to Sunset Public Holiday: Sunrise to Sunset Christms Day: Sunrise to Sunset Good Friday: Sunrise to Sunset.
Robe Haven Motel
Robe Haven Motel
Corner Smilie and Hagen Streets
Robe
South Australia
Australia
Robe Haven Motel, incorporating Butler’s Restaurant, which is fully licensed, offer fine dining complemented by regional wines as well as wonderful views of the magnificent Butlers Marina. Located in the South Australian historic coastal area, Robe is an ideal base for day trips and offers fishing, golf, tennis, squash, bowls, water sports, walking trails, four-wheel driving and wonderful dining.
Monday: Closed Tuesday: 6pm to 8pm Wednesday: 6pm to 8pm Thursday: 6pm to 8pm Friday: 6pm to 8pm Saturday: 6pm to 8pm Sunday: Closed Public Holiday: Closed Christms Day: Closed Good Friday: Closed. Motel reception is open 8am to 8pm seven days a week.
The Obelisk
The Obelisk
Obelisk Road
Robe
South Australia
Australia
The Obelisk was erected on Cape Dombey in 1852, used to navigate entrance into Guichen Bay and to store rocket lifesaving equipment. The firing of rockets carrying baskets to distressed ships to bring passengers ashore saved many lives. Later it assisted passing ships with navigation, standing at a height of 12 metres it is easily visible 20 kilometres out to sea. In 1862, after complaints by the Captains that the then white Obelisk was difficult to differentiate from Long Beach’s white sand hills, it was repainted in alternate red and white bands.
Wilson’s At Robe
5 Victoria Street
Robe
Wilson's At Robe
South Australia
Australia
Wilson’s at Robe established for 20 years as a regional gallery is dedicated to exhibiting the finest works of Australian artists and crafts people. The gallery features six fabulous rooms brimming with exquisitely presented displays. Local timber furniture and carvings adorn the gallery as does stunning glass, ceramics, jewellery and unique small gifts. Metal and local stone sculptures along with paintings and artist’s prints make browsing through this heritage listed building a treat. Paramount to your visit to Wilson’s is the work of resident artist Terry Johnson who captures the charm and spirit of the seaside village of Robe with his paintings, prints and cards.
Monday: 10am to 5pm Tuesday: 10am to 5pm Wednesday: 10am to 5pm Thursday: 10am to 5pm Friday: 10am to 5pm Saturday: 10am to 5pm Sunday: 10am to 5pm Christms Day: Closed. Seasonal hours may apply in winter. Open daily during school holidays.
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