Sunset at Robe

Across the state border from the south east of Victoria into South Australia, The Limestone Coast forms part of Australia’s most extensive volcanic province, the Kanawinka Geopark. Millions of years ago nature’s chemistry blended sand dunes and limestone deposits into a labyrinth of caves and sinkholes – extremely intriguing!

Limestone Coast

It stretches along the Southern Ocean from Port Macdonnell to the south and Kingston S.E. to the north before the famous Coorong. There are endless beaches and picturesque seaside villages with alluring beauty, changing colours and intriguing contrasts.

Limestone Coastline at Port Macdonnell

From October to late May, seaside towns along The Limestone Coast come alive with the buzz of Southern Rock Lobster season, with boats heading out daily to haul their prized catches. You can sample local Southern Rock Lobster delivered fresh from the pot to your plate, along with locally farmed spring water Barramundi, Salmon and smoked Trout. The adventurous can even try diving for your own Rock Lobsters or Abalone.

Port Macdonnell

Home to one of the largest Rock Lobster fishing fleets in the Southern Hemisphere, Port Macdonnell was once a prominent trading port. It is a favourite destination for keen anglers, surfers, swimmers, hikers and divers.

Penguin Statues at Port Macdonnell

There are a couple of historical buildings of note – Customs House built in 1863 and Adam Lindsay Gordon Cottage, the poet’s retreat, at Dingley Dell Conservation Park near Port Macdonnell.  Learn about shipwrecks, Little Penguins and the town’s historic port at the Port Macdonnell Maritime Museum located right in town.

The famous Ewens Ponds and the Ramsar listed Piccaninnie Ponds are only a short drive away and are great for snorkelling and diving with clear fresh water offering wonderful visibility. While nearby Mount Schank, Australia’s youngest dormant volcano, is worth a climb to the rim of the crater to take in the magnificent views.

Piccaninnie Ponds

Beachport

With sweeping sandy beaches on one side and rugged coastal scenery on the other, Beachport is a popular spot for holiday makers. It boasts the second largest jetty in South Australia, 772 metres from one end to the other, (that I can vouch for as I walked out and back). Beachport  jetty attracts a large number of anglers keen to catch their dinner.

Beachport Jetty

The waterfront is surrounded by landscaped gardens with a walking trail and great picnic facilities. There is a curious Norfolk Pine in the middle of the round-about in town which is decorated with old colourful bicycles that I found of interest.

Bicycle Tree at Beachport

Take the Bowman Scenic Drive extending from the lighthouse along the rugged coast of the Southern Ocean and walk down to the beach or view the sea from one of the many lookouts. Just outside, Beachport is a unique salt lake called Pool of Siloam, that has lovely grassy banks and a small pier. The high salt content makes swimming very easy because the water is extremely buoyant.

Lighthouse at Beachport

Also worth a drive, is Woakwine Cutting, Australia’s biggest one-man engineering feat, created to drain swampland for pastoral use. An absolute marvel.

Robe

The historic seaside resort town of Robe oozes charm, set amid stunning beaches, rugged cliffs and tranquil lakes. Robe was once one of the largest ports of The Limestone Coast and remains proud of its shipping history, and museums, cottages and historic walking trails bring the local maritime culture to life.

Robe

You can pick up a scenic self drive map from the Visitors Information Centre in town and visit the many points of historical interest such as:

• Attic House built in 1861
• Caledonian Inn built in 1858 which still retains its quaint charm and original features of an Old English Inn
• Lakeside a grand residence built in 1884

Lakeside at Robe

• Royal Circus was used as a turning circle for the bullocks transporting cargo to and from the port of Robe.
• Robe House built in 1846 for Governor Captain Gerald Villiers Butler.
• Old Customs House c. 1863 houses a nautical collection of items relating to Robe’s colourful history.

Customs House, Robe

• The Obelisk was erected in 1852 on Cape Dombey and was used to navigate the entrance to Guichen Bay.
• Old Gaol Ruins built in 1860 and used until 1881

The Obelisk, Robe

A popular activity at any time of year, in and around Robe is to four wheel drive along the 12 kilometre fabulous Long Beach. Here you can swim, surf, fish or take a long walk. Guichen Bay is also very popular for swimming, fishing, sailing or kayaking. If you have no luck with the fishing, go to the Robe Marina at Lake Butler and watch the catch of the day around noon.

Long Beach, Robe

Kingston S.E.

Situated on the safe and calm waters of Lacepede Bay and home to the infamous ‘Larry the Lobster’, Kingston S.E. is an ideal place for a family holiday. Proclaimed in 1858, this once bustling shipping port is steeped in history, that can be learnt from a self-guided walk around town or by a visit to the Kingston Museum.

Kingston S.E.

Kingston S.E. has beautiful, serene sandy beaches, ideal for swimming, fishing, windsurfing and sailing.  Visitors have the freedom to drive on the beaches to both the north and south of the township, where you may spot dolphins or seals as they swim past.

The historic Cape Jaffa Lighthouse, built in 1872, was located off the coast of Cape Jaffa, but is now relocated to the Kingston S.E. foreshore. It provides spectacular views of the coast. Located on a small island adjacent to the Apex Park is Kingston’s Analemmatic Sundial, that can tell the time of day by casting your own shadow on the markers of the sundial.

The Limestone Coast is a beautifully diverse and unique part of Australia that enthralled me at every turn. For those of you who are after adventure mixed with history and intrigue then The Limestone Coast is for you.