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Places to visit
near Robe
There are many interesting places within easy driving distance of
Robe. Please ask about drives that would suit you. Some suggestions are listed below.
Distances are one way.
Beachport/South End
(50km/60km) Just off the Beachport Road from Robe is The Woakwine Cutting. It is a
gigantic trench cut through a range (long hill) to drain the farmland on the other side.
It was done by one man and the equipment he used is on display.
Beachport is a coastal town with a lovely scenic drive on the ocean side.
South End is a coastal village at the south end of a beach with Beachport at the northern
end. It was once called ‘Grey’ after a former
Governor, however the name did not seem attractive to tourists so they had it changed.
Beacon Hill
(3km) Beacon Hill is the home of Robe’s look out. From the tower you can see that
Robe is truly surrounded by sea, bush and sand. Directions are on the map on the
"Before You Leave Home" page.
Cape Jaffa/Mt Benson (Robe) Wine Region
(20km / 10km) The hill with towers on it
that you can see across the bay is Mt Benson.
Cape Jaffa is a village on the Coast with a new marina that
is worth looking at. On the way drop in to Cape Jaffa Wines with an interesting
cellar door building. Right opposite is Norfolk Rise Winery. The owner is from
Belgium and they have spent around $14M on stage one of this project with
another $40M in Tasmania acquiring Piper’s Brook Wines. His extended family owns
some of the finest wine labels in France and wine is a sideline. His main
business in Australia is exporting sheep skins. The village of Cape Jaffa is a
base for some professional fishermen. Mt Benson is an emerging wine region very
close to Robe. Also see Wangolina wines. 19km out the Penola Road (1km past the
Beachport turnoff) is Karatta Wines Cellar door. The owners, David and Peg Woods
also own the historic Karatta House adjacent to Lake Butler. All wineries we’ve
listed have cellar door tastings and sales.
Coonawarra/Penola
(110km/100km) Penola and Coonawarra are adjacent to one another. Coonawarra Wines are
world renowned. Taste the wines from all of the famous names, Bowen (if they have any
stock left), Balnaves, Wynns (the original winery in the
heart of the township), etc. Rymill’s Winery and Horse Statues are a must see even if
you don’t drink wine. Penola is an historic town inland from Robe and is also on
the Mary
MacKillop trail. For a gourmet lunch perhaps try
Hollick’s Upstairs (08
8737 2751), Piper’s or Divine for something more casual.
Coorong
(110km) The Coorong National Park runs from the Murray River mouth to just north of
Kingston. The Murray river has a long thin back water that runs parallel to the coast and
is rich with bird life and fish. The dunes that separate it from the Southern Ocean are
a natural haven. The beach is also wonderful to drive along although ensure the tide
is well out. It is recommended that people only access it in four wheel drives. Speak to
the ranger before planning a trip.
Kingston
(40km) Kingston is a coastal town just north of Robe. Interesting things to see include
contemporary rock carvings, the big lobster and the Cape Jaffa light house museum. If you
have time the museum is worth visiting to see how the lighthouse keeper families lived on
a reef off the coast in earlier times, it is generally only open SA School Holidays and
Public Holidays 2-4pm.
Little Dip/Nora Creina
(2km/20km) Robe sits at the northern end of the Little Dip National Park. It has
spectacular Dunes and deserted ocean beaches. Only a small proportion of visitors to Robe
get to see this special place even though it is so close. There are several places you can
get close to the ocean beaches in a two wheel drive car. For more information speak to the
ranger. Refer "Little Dip Conservation Park" on the "Things to do
In Robe" page.
Nora Creina is a cute coastal village south of Robe where old shacks included an old
Glenelg tram, fibro and tin shacks. In recent years suburbia has moved in, however relics
can still be seen . The bay and beach is also nice on a lovely day.
Mount Gambier
(130km) Mt Gambier is the main regional centre for the South East. The most spectacular
sight there is the blue lake which turns extra blue in summer and back to ordinary blue
for winter. Apparently no one knows why this happens or how. Also worth visiting are the
cave gardens in the centre of town. On the way to Mt Gambier you may want to visit the
Tantanoola caves which are on the highway. Near Millicent there are large
numbers of enormous Wind turbines generating electricity.
Naracoorte/Lucindale
(100km/60km) Naracoorte is home to the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves and interpretive
centre. If you want to see stalagmites, stalactites, fossils and various other cave
formations then this is the place to go. Bool Lagoon is a vast wetland area near
Naracoorte with some board walks for those keen on bird life. Lucindale
is on the way to Naracoorte and is home of the Limestone Coast Cheese Company,
manufacturers of gourmet cheeses. They are open to the public and can be
contacted on 08 8766 2442.
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