Things to do in Robe: Where to Eat, Drink, Stay & Play

Nothing recharges the soul quite like a weekend escape to the charming seaside village of Robe, South Australia. With just 1,500 residents, Robe may be small, but it brims with character. Picture strolling through a historic town centre, sipping coffee in bustling cafes, and lounging on pristine, crystal-clear beaches.

Located halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne, and just 90 minutes from Mount Gambier, Robe is ideal for both quick getaways and longer stays. Spend your days exploring boutique shops, driving along the sandy shores of Long Beach, and snapping photos at the iconic Cape Dombey Obelisk.

Ready to pencil in a low-key weekend in this underrated beachside town? Our guide to the best things to do in Robe is bound to help the planning process!

Olive's

For dine in or takeaway, Olive's is serving up a slice 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 and 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 

Robe Town Brewery

Heads up. This is the only wood-fired brewery in the whole of Australia. Robe Town Brewery is unique, making a huge range of delicious beer with a fascinating array of old-school and low-tech methods. Wood-fired means that they use no electricity or gas to boil the wort during the brewing process. Their cellar door and tap room offers a wide range of beers to taste and take-away along with a range of local wines, and other beverages.

Sitchu Tip: Check out the awesome vibes at Robe Town Brewery during one of their regular live music nights. 

10 White Street, Robe

Mahalia Coffee

Looking for that perfect cup of coffee to start your day on your weekend away? A visit to Mahalia Coffee is a must on your list of things to do in Robe. This cosy coffee roastery and cafe is the best spot in town to relax and unwind while enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee made from their very own roasted beans. You can even 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? Gather your friends or family over a full cooked breakfast, lunch or a delicious homemade cake for afternoon tea.

Sitchu Tip: Not just about the coffee, Mahalia also make a mean vanilla chai that you need to try. 

2 Flint Street, Robe 

Caledonian Inn

It's hard to go past a great pub when it comes eating out on holiday with friend 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 both a charming place to dine and unwind, and even spend the night. 

For lunch or dinner, enjoy hearty dishes like Berkshire pork belly, steak and twice cooked potatoes with your choice of sauce, fresh local oysters, fish and chips and veggie schnitzels; there's even an impressive seafood platter for two to indulge in with your partner! 

1 Victoria Street, Robe

Drift Cafe

A beautiful setting for breakfast, lunch and coffee. Drift Cafe is an architecturally designed coastal space for relaxing on the deck or picnic on the lawns. Seasonal fresh produce and native foraged greens aplenty - and it's even pet friendly!  

3 Victoria Street, Robe

Union Cafe

This is a low-key, family-friendly cafe offering up some of the tastiest breakfast, brunch and lunch options. From fresh avocado, feta and poached eggs on toast through to crispy and perfectly seasoned fish and chips, bowls of comforting ramen to breakfast specials like crumbed eggplant with harissa yogurt, grilled broccolini, a basil and cashew pesto, dukkah and poached eggs, Union Cafe is a flavoursome hit. The coffee is great, the cake specials are scrumptious (hello, Biscoff cheesecake) and the atmosphere is some of the friendliest in town. 

4/17-19 Victoria Street, Robe

Woodsoak Wines

Woodsoak Wines, nestled in Robe's historic Evans Cottage, offers a delightful post-swim retreat with a twist. This quirky, award-winning winery invites you to their outdoor wine room for a relaxed tasting experience. Sip on one of their 10 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 irresistible 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

West Beach Cantina

For good times, refreshing margs, and loaded burritos, look no further than West Beach Cantina. A local burrito shop, it's a tasty hit among locals and tourists alike, that's suitable for a quick lunch or vibrant dinner where the drinks flow, the table loads up with chips and guac, fish tacos, pulled pork and chicken burritos, and the vibes light up with big laughs and bigger smiles. 

Opens only in the summer season

30-32 Victoria Street, Robe 

Robe Ice Cream

The makers of house-made premium gelato ice cream and home of the Robe Art Map, which has been created by the artist in residence, Neil Welsh. Robe Ice Cream is the place to go to enjoy ice cream, milkshakes and doughnuts in a tropical oasis garden.

35 Victoria Street, Robe 

Sky Seafoods

At Sky Seafoods in Robe, indulging in seafood fresh from the pristine waters of the local coastline is a must. Whether you're grabbing a succulent lobster or a dozen oysters to cook up your own feast back at your self-contained accommodation, or you're pulling up a seat under the brollies at the dock, you're in for a treat. Picture seafood platters brimming with lobster, prawns, and oysters, or digging 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

Long Beach

Long Beach at Robe is a safe family beach with gentle surf. It's also unique in the fact that its one of the few beaches where you are able to drive your car onto the sand.

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 is finished off with awe-inspiring views of the iconic Robe Obelisk. 

Lake Butler Marina, Robe

Robe Jetty

A beautiful place to fish or simply go for a morning or sunset stroll, Robe Jetty is a scenic spot that perfectly captures Robe's inherent coastal charm. 

5 Obelisk Road, Robe

The Obelisk

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, but then 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, as it now stands proudly today.

The perfect little daytime venture, a visit to The Obelisk is one of the best things to do in Robe. 

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 linger. Scattered with small lakes, each with its own personality, the park invites some serious exploration. Lake Eliza is open and marshy, Big Dip Lake is salty, and 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 rich layer of history to this stunning natural escape.

Robe, South Australia

Memory Lane Antiques 

Love a little vintage shopping on holiday? You'll love Memory Lane Antiques. It's a charming spot for finding old records, books, board games, antiques and collectables. Sitting on the main street of Robe, they store plays music to the passing population all day, from old rock in the morning to relaxing jazz and soul in the afternoon. Browse in the book room, pick your away around the hodgepodge of eclectic antiques and buy the vinyl you’ve been looking for from their range that stretches well over 3000.

10 Victoria Street, Robe 

Loaves and Fishes 

Loaves and Fishes is a boutique homeware and lifestyle store stocking a unique range of fashion and gifts, sourced both locally and internationally. You'll also find a great range of Robe souvenirs in store to remember your holiday by, along with their iconic ‘Obelisk Doorstop’. 

27 Victoria Street, Robe

Bask 

Intended to be a ‘home away from home’, Bask is a two-bedroom cottage with all of the mod-cons you need to stay cosy in winter and cool in summer. Bohemian interiors give this accommodation in Robe a relaxing, earthy vibe, making it the perfect location to relax and unwind after a busy week. Stay here and you’ll be close to everything: 100 metres to the main street, 150 metres to the beach and 100 metres to the golf course. 

Address available on request

The Pelican Shed 

With bright, airy interiors and an open-plan layout, The Pelican Shed is a contemporary beach house with a distinctly coastal feel. Natural light streams in throughout the home thanks to an abundance of glass doors and floor-to-ceiling windows. There are beaches, wetlands and walking trails nearby so you can make the most of what the area has to offer. This two-bedroom accommodation features a king and queen bed.

2 Park Terrace, Robe

Caledonian Inn

If you want to be in the thick of it, you can’t look past the Caledonian Inn. This historic building was originally built in 1857 due to its close proximity to the busy port. These days, it is a pub and bistro that also offers up an array of accommodation options, depending on what you’re after. The Inn itself has single and double rooms, located right above the venue. If you’d prefer something with a bit more room, there’s also Splash (a three-bedroom home) or Cottages By The Sea (four self-contained cottages). 

1 Victoria Street, Robe

Enchante

Take in the sunshine at Enchante and be mesmerised by the beautiful coastal views from this easy breezy accommodation in Robe. Right across the road, guests are treated to ocean views of Long Beach, famous for its perfect swimming and surfing conditions. Enjoy your morning coffee in this quintessential beach shack, while looking out through the floor to ceiling windows. A perfect family holiday rental. Sleeps 6. 

Address available upon request

Karatta Cottage

This charming seaside retreat is the ultimate romantic escape and the perfect base to explore everything Robe has to offer. Part of a seaside 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 Cottage is full of historic seaside 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.

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 in the centre of town. More good news: It's also walking distance to the beach.

Address available upon request

Tea Tree

Switch off and reconnect with nature at this unforgettable escape in Robe. 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 the centre of 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

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 4 bedrooms, 2 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 of things to do in Robe has helped you start organising your next adventurous weekend away on SA's glorious coastline. Planning a weekend away, but not sure if you can make it to Robe? Check out our comprehensive round up of the best winter holiday destinations in South Australia. Alternatively, if your time is limited, might we suggest a staycation in Adelaide CBD instead?