Limestone Coast Road Trip: The Ultimate Itinerary from Robe to Mount Gambier

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A South Australian road trip from the coast to the Coonawarra wine region

Planning a Limestone Coast road trip? This part of South Australia is one of our favourite regions to explore, with rugged coastline, quiet seaside towns, incredible wineries, volcanic landscapes and some amazing food along the way.

Our route takes you from Robe and Beachport along the Limestone Coast before heading inland to Penola and the Coonawarra wine region, finishing in Mount Gambier.

We've put together our favourite places to stay, things to do, wineries, restaurants and practical tips from travelling this route ourselves in our motorhome. We've also included our FREE interactive map with our favourite stops, accommodation and places worth adding to your itinerary.

Whether you're planning a few days away or adding the Limestone Coast to a longer South Australian road trip, this guide covers everything you need to know.

FREE Limestone Coast Road Trip Map!

We've included our FREE interactive map below with all our favourite stops, places to stay, wineries, food spots and things to see along the Limestone Coast.

Save the map and use it to plan your own route!

Limestone Coast Road Trip Overview

Route: Adelaide → Robe → Beachport → Penola → Coonawarra → Mount Gambier

Distance: Approximately 500 km from Adelaide to Mount Gambier, depending on your stops and detours.

Recommended Duration: 5–7 days

Best Time to Visit: The Limestone Coast can be enjoyed year-round, but autumn, winter and spring are particularly beautiful. Winter is a great time for cosy caravan park stays, wineries and hearty pub meals, while spring brings greener landscapes and beautiful gardens!

Our Suggested 5–7 Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Adelaide → Robe — 340 km | ~4 hrs

Day 2: Explore Robe & coastline — Full day

Day 3: Robe → Beachport — 55 km | ~40 mins

Day 4: Beachport → Penola & Coonawarra — 95 km | ~1 hr 10 mins

Day 5: Explore Coonawarra & Penola — Full day

Day 6: Penola → Mount Gambier — 55 km | ~40 mins

Day 7: Explore Mount Gambier — Full day

Have more time? Add an extra night in Robe or Penola to slow things down and explore without rushing.

Stop 1 – Robe

Distance from Adelaide: Approximately 340 km / 4 hours

Robe is one of those South Australian coastal towns that's easy to fall in love with. With its historic streets, incredible coastline, beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere, it's the perfect first stop on a Limestone Coast road trip.

The coastline around Robe is the real highlight, with dramatic cliffs, turquoise water and some incredible viewpoints. Allow yourself plenty of time to explore rather than simply stopping in town and moving on.

Where to Stay – Robe Holiday Park

We stayed at Robe Holiday Park and the park is a great option for motorhomes and caravans and is conveniently located for exploring both the town and coastline.

One of the things that made our stay particularly memorable was meeting Anthony, the owner, who was incredibly welcoming. The park also has something pretty unique for guests – an onsite gin distillery, Robe Gin, where you can enjoy locally made gin during your stay adn look out for wombats at night!

Best Things to Do in Robe

• The Obelisk - The Robe Obelisk is one of the most recognisable landmarks along the Limestone Coast and one of the first places we'd recommend visiting. The views around are incredible.

• Explore the Robe Coastline - One of our favourite things about Robe was simply exploring the coastline. You'll find dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, sandy beaches and plenty of places to stop for photos. It's the sort of coastline where you can easily spend an entire afternoon driving, walking and finding new viewpoints.

• Explore Robe Town - Take some time to wander through the historic streets, browse the local shops and grab a coffee before heading back out to the coast.

Where to Eat in robe

• Union Café – Great for coffee, breakfast and a relaxed lunch.

• Sails at Robe – A popular option for a nicer dinner, with a focus on local produce and seafood.

• Caledonian Inn – A classic historic pub for hearty meals and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Robe Seafood & Takeaway – A good choice if you're after fresh local seafood or an easy takeaway meal.

• Robe Town Brewery – Awesome vibes! Great for a casual drink and something to eat after exploring the coast.

Stop 2 – Beachport

Distance from Robe: Approximately 55 km / 40 minutes

From Robe, continue south along the Limestone Coast to Beachport, a much smaller and quieter seaside town. There's not quite as much to do here compared with Robe.

Where to Stay – Beachport Caravan Park

Beachport Caravan Park has a fantastic location right on the waterfront and is an ideal base for exploring the town. Being able to walk straight out of the park and enjoy the coastline makes it a particularly nice stop for motorhome and caravan travellers.

Best Things to Do in beachport

• Bowman Scenic Drive - This the highlight of Beachport and one of our favourite things to do in the area. The drive takes you along some spectacular sections of coastline, with rugged cliffs, beaches and sweeping ocean views. Tip: stay for sunet, for incredible views!

• Explore Beachport - Spend some time exploring the small seaside town, walk along the waterfront and visit the jetty and the lighthouse for spectacular views before heading back to your caravan park.

Beachport is definitely smaller than Robe, but it's a great place to spend a night and enjoy a slower pace.

Stop 3 – Penola & Coonawarra

Distance from Beachport: Approximately 95 km / 1 hour 10 minutes

Leaving the coast behind, the landscape changes as you head inland towards Penola and the Coonawarra wine region. Penola is a beautiful heritage country town and makes an excellent base for exploring some of South Australia's best-known wineries.

If you're a wine lover, we'd recommend allowing at least two nights here.

Where to Stay – Penola Coonawarra Caravan Park

We stayed at Penola Coonawarra Caravan Park, which is a great option for motorhome and caravan travellers. One of the best things about staying here is the e-bike hire. We'd highly recommend taking advantage of this if you're planning to explore Penola and the nearby wineries.

The caravan park has also recently upgraded its wine barrel baths, which would be particularly lovely during the cooler months.

Coonawarra is one of South Australia's most famous wine regions, particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. The Coonawarra Rail Trail follows the route of the former railway line between Penola and Coonawarra.

Wineries:

• Parker Estate is one of our recommendations for Coonawarra. It's a great place to experience local wines and learn more about the region.

• Wynns Wine Estate - Another must-visit. It's one of the best-known names in Coonawarra and has a long history in the region.

• Katnook Estate, Redman Wines & Zema Estate

• Petticoat Lane - While you're in Penola, don't miss Petticoat Lane — a charming historic laneway lined with old stone cottages, gardens and heritage buildings.

Where to Eat in Penola/coonawarra

Ottelia - Ottelia is a must-visit. The food here was incredible, and the oven-cooked pizzas were a particular highlight for us. If you're spending a couple of nights in Penola, we'd definitely book ahead.

Stop 4 – Mount Gambier

Distance from Penola: Approximately 55 km / 40 minutes

The final stop on this Limestone Coast road trip is Mount Gambier, one of the most unique destinations in South Australia.

The region was shaped by volcanic activity, creating incredible sinkholes, caves, lakes and underground waterways. It's completely different from the coastal scenery around Robe and Beachport and makes a great finale to the trip.

Where to Stay – Pine Country Caravan Park

Pine Country Caravan Park was another standout accommodation for us. Beautiful, spacious sites surrounded by rolling countryside and is a really peaceful place to stay while exploring Mount Gambier.

They also offer wine and campfire packages, and the camp kitchen is a great facility if you're travelling by motorhome or caravan.

Best Things to Do in Mount Gambier

• Umpherston Sinkhole - Once a natural limestone sinkhole has been transformed into a beautiful sunken garden, with lush plants growing around the dramatic walls and even more beautiful in spring.

• Blue Lake - The lake sits inside an extinct volcanic crater and is famous for its striking blue colour during the warmer months. The walking trail around the crater gives you several different viewpoints and worth doing.

• Little Blue Lake - The water is an incredible blue colour and the lake has become a popular swimming spot during the warmer months. Always check current safety advice and conditions before swimming.

• Ewens Ponds - Another incredible natural attraction in the region. The ponds are part of an underground freshwater system and are known for their exceptionally clear water. They're particularly famous among divers, who come here to explore the underwater cave system.

Ready to plan your trip?

🗺️ Save our FREE Limestone Coast map

🏕️ Find somewhere to stay

🍷 Book a Coonawarra wine experience

🚲 Explore the region by e-bike

The Limestone Coast is one of those regions where the scenery changes constantly as you travel. You start with the rugged coastline and turquoise water around Robe and Beachport, head inland through the vineyards of Coonawarra, and finish amongst the volcanic landscapes and incredible blue lakes of Mount Gambier.

For us, travelling this route by motorhome made it even better. There are plenty of great caravan parks along the way, the driving distances are manageable, and there's a really good mix of nature, food, wine and small-town experiences.

If you're planning a South Australian road trip, we'd definitely add the Limestone Coast to your itinerary!

Hannah & Sam
Australia Travel Creators & Jayco RV Correspondents

Hi, we’re Hannah & Sam! Australian travel content creators and bloggers sharing road trips, destination guides, and real travel experiences across Australia.

As Jayco RV Correspondents, we travel full-time, exploring life on the road and documenting detailed itineraries, hidden gems, and practical tips through our social channels & blog to help you plan your own adventure!

These are all our honest recommendations and tips, all based on real first-hand experience. We’re here to make planning your next trip easier, more enjoyable, and full of experiences for those chasing adventure and freedom on the road!