Robe Beach Run

Update to trek note: It is no longer possible to drive the full length of the beach between Beachport and Robe and a detour is necessary between Stinky Bay and Little Dip National Park. Fortunately, a major detour is avoided by being able to access a short private track across Nora Creina property. The owners of Nora Creina, the Cullen family, are supportive of recreational four wheel drivers and are pleased to allow access along the short track, which is less than a kilometre long. This track is also used by several holidaymakers who own shacks along the track.

If you are planning a trip in the area and wish to cross the Nora Creina property, please remember that, as on any private property, you are a guest of the owner. Please drive carefully and stay on the marked track. Keep your speed down and stay away from the holiday shacks. Move peacefully across the property, leaving the gates as you find them.

Starting in Robe, a modern seaside town in south east SA, this trek heads south into Little Dip Conservation Park and then onto a wild windswept beach. The route follows the beachline all the way to Beachport although most people go out for a day trip and head back into Robe for shelter. There are camps at Little Dip CP, the Gums, Stony Rise, Lake Robe, Long Gully, freshwater Lake and Old Man Lake. Some have pit toilets.

There is no specific route as there are numerous tracks leading onto and off the beach - its more of an adventurous explore along the coastline.

No permits are needed for this trek note. If you are planning a trip in the area and wish to cross the Nora Creina property, please remember that, as on any private property, you are a guest of the owner. Please drive carefully and stay on the marked track. Keep your speed down and stay away from the holiday shacks. Move peacefully across the property, leaving the gates as you find them.

Challenging 4WD sand driving, wild coastal areas. Occassional penguins and seals.

Due to the tricky beach conditions along this coast it is advisable to travel in convoy if you intend to complete the full length into Beachport. And be sure to be fully prepared for beach driving with an air compressor, deflating your tyres before starting and take plenty of water, spares and recovery equipment. Also - sand flags are essential.

To get started, head out south from the centre of Robe (GPS 37 10'02" S, 139 45' 37" E) along Robe Street. At the road junction about 1km from the main road keep straight on and onto the dirt road. (Right is the rubbish tip and another way to the beach).

To avoid this section of beach you can still access the Little Dip CP and the other camps around Long Gully by taking the Nora Creina Road out of Robe. In some places you can avoid driving along the beach by taking the track that runs behind the first line of dunes.

The small fishing village of Nora Creina is 24km south of Robe along the gravel track or 27km via the beach run. A track on the right leads about 50m to the beach and bay (GPS 37 19'33" S, 139 51' 01" E). The main track heads south though the village, past the bay track junction and crosses the sand. Turn left onto Stinky Beach. 6km later you pass a headland and then 2km later you go up off the beach, around a headland and back onto the beach. This next section is soft! There is an inland track as an alternative. Pick it up from the beach or as you cross the headland. Nine Mile Drift is inland to your left. There is an access track off the beach but without a map you could get lost. Contact the Millicent Sand Buggy Club PO Box 487 Millicent SA 5280 for details.

About 17km south of Nora Creina is a steep sandhill - follow tracks through the dunes then drop onto the beach. 3km south of here is a large aboriginal midden on the right. The track skirts around it. 2km on the track leaves the beach and heads behind the dunes meeting up with a main gravel track. Turn left - 6km to Beachport.

If you come off the beach and end up on the shores of Lake George just head south on the track skirting the lake - you'll eventually come get to town. (GPS 37 28' 54" S, 140 00' 40" E).

Lake George is a great place for bird watching. The smooth flat waters and strong seabreezes make this a popular places for windsurfers. There are some good shady camp sites tucked under the trees along the shores.