For this month’s road trip we’re heading to Robe, a spectacular South Australian Limestone Coast haven simply oozing with charm, natural beauty, amazing hospitality and just about everything else that makes a road trip something special – including (yes, you’ve guessed it!) a beach you can drive on!
Whether you’re starting in Adelaide (about three and a half hours drive), Mt Gambier (90 minutes) or Melbourne (just over six hours), it’s a drive that delivers one of Australia’s much-loved destinations for an action-packed or laid-back weekender unlike any other!
A few directions to get you on your way…If Adelaide is your starting point, taking the scenic route on the South-Eastern Freeway will have you enjoying the stunning Adelaide hills and views of the Murray River before getting onto the Princess Highway for the remainder of the trip. From Melbourne take the Glenelg Highway/B160 via Hamilton and get onto Google maps or follow the signs!
Best tyres for the trip….When it comes to Robe and all that it has to offer, there’s no going past Maxxis RAZRs as the no-brainer tyres for absolutely everything you may want to do while you’re there! With the rare opportunity for some on-beach driving (plus sand dunes and more!), the much-loved RAZR MT772 is a superb tyre for the job. The RAZR AT811 is also an excellent option to take on sandy beach terrains as well as being a high performing and comfortable tyre that will do this entire road trip, start to finish, with absolute ease!
Let’s talk driving on sand…Robe is home to the ultra-famous Long Beach where you can drive your vehicle on the long, kilometre-after-kilometre stretch of white sand (making sure you keep to the special 25km speed limit). While you don’t strictly need a 4×4 for this one, there are heaps of sand dunes, tracks and trails around Robe (including the popular Robe to Beachport track) which has some challenging sections and a 4×4 is necessary. If you’re not already a seasoned 4x4er equipped for any adventure, make sure you’re well prepared and take note of advice from the local authority for driving Robe’s 4×4 tracks. If you’re keen to learn more about driving in sand (and sand dunes), including the need to lower your tyre pressures before hitting the beach, Maxxis influencer Ronny Dahl shares some handy tips in this video.
The beaches…While we’re talking beaches, the Robe area has a number of other simply beautiful beaches if you’re up for a dip or surf. In addition to Long beach, there’s Town beach, Hoopers, Karatta and Fox’s which are all family friendly. Those in the Little Dip Conservation Park as well as Wrights Bay are 4×4 accessible only.
The walking trails…When you’re not in your 4×4 (fitted with Maxxis tyres of course!), there’s no better way to enjoy Robe than getting out on a walking trail and taking in the stunning coastline views! The 6.3km Robe Coastal Walk, which stretches from the esplanade to the lighthouse, is great for bird watching, plus if you’re lucky, you may also spot a dolphin or two.
The wineries and breweries…The Robe Town Brewery (Australia’s only wood-fired brewery) is a favourite with many visitors to Robe, with a cellar door and craft beers brewed on location! You’ll also find a wonderful choice of Limestone Coast wineries brimming with the area’s character (not to mention views, great wine and yummy platters) including Cape Jaffa Wines, Ralph Fowler Wines, Wangolina, Karatta and Woodsoak.
The Robe Obelisk…No visit to Robe is complete without taking a look at the iconic Robe Obelisk – a red and white, pyramid-shaped feature on Cape Dombey, originally constructed in 1855 to guide ships entering Guichen Bay. You can’t get too close as it is fenced off due to unstable sandstone cliffs, but it is an impressive sight which you really can’t miss. From here you can also take a walk along the track to the Old Robe Gaol ruins, another interesting piece of history of the area.
Lake Butler Marina…A great place to do some fishing, or to just take a walk and explore. There are lots of other spots in Robe to cast a line — whether it’s from one of the many beaches or the town jetty, with Little Dip Conservation Park and Jumbo’s Landing at Lake Battye also known to produce a good catch.
Camping and staying in Robe…If camping or caravanning is your thing, Robe is one of those super amazing places where there are heaps of camp sites perfectly located so that you can enjoy the beautiful coastal surrounds, your way. Along with great views and easy access to town, you’ll find some, like the popular Robe Holiday Park have cabins, powered sites for caravans and camping and even powered bush tent sites if you really want to get away from it all! If you’re after a more luxurious stay, Robe also has a range of motels, inns and apartments to choose from. We’d definitely recommend booking ahead (especially if you’re heading here over school holidays or long weekends) as Robe is always a happening place!
Before you go…Especially if you’re planning to do some off-road adventuring (and sand dune 4x4ing) make sure you’re well prepared with recovery gear and tyre pressure gauge. Plus remember to reduce the psi of your tyres to the appropriate level (usually around 15 to 18 psi) before you hit the sand. Our network of expert Maxxis dealers are always on hand to offer assistance with having your tyres checked or maintained before you head off, or to offer guidance on the best replacement tyres for your vehicle. You can use the handy dealer locator to find the one nearest you, wherever you are on your trip to Robe.
