Aloha Beachfront Robe review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

Why would anyone want to visit Robe in winter? There are bargain to be had with about 1000 holiday homes to choose from. And the luxury Aloha Beachfront apartment is spectacular.

Why would anyone want to visit Robe in winter?

There is the old saying that there is nothing as lonely as an out-of-season holiday town in the rain. But we headed off to Robe, and for many reasons. One is that there is purported to be around 1000 holiday homes for rent in Robe, so in midwinter there are bargains to be had.

We chose the Aloha Beachfront apartment but with prices starting at $375 per night it might not seem like a bargain. Given it sleeps 10 – eight in absolute comfort – it’s not at the very top end, either.

This place is spectacular. This is luxury. This really is top end.

It’s the view – probably the best in Robe – that sells the place. From both the upstairs and downstairs living areas there is a spectacular view of Guichen Bay.

The view is spectacular at Aloha Beachfront Robe. Picture: Graeme Tivey

It’s 10m to Monument Beach, 50m to the boat harbour, and the closest pub is in view.

If it is not raining, it is only a short walk to the centre of town.

But why would anyone leave?

The main bedroom is upstairs with kingsize bed and a stone freestanding bath, and a huge ensuite. There are three more bedrooms downstairs – two with king doubles and the third with two king singles. All linen and towels are provided.

While the downstairs features a huge games room with table-tennis, pinball machine and couches – and the view – the understated upstairs living area includes a fully-equipped designer kitchen, a dining room to seat eight in comfort, and living room – all with the same sweeping view – and an outdoor balcony. There is also reverse-cycle heating and cooling units upstairs and downstairs.

The dining room seats eight comfortably at Aloha Beachfront Robe. Picture: Graeme Tivey

And, of course, there is a flat-screen TV in both living areas and in every bedroom.

A gas barbecue is available downstairs in a courtyard, next to the double lockup garage, but, in the middle of winter, was hardly an option.

But other than sitting and looking at the view – not hard to do when it’s cold outside and there’s a warm glass of red inside – Robe surprised with the level of activity in the town in July.

Rather than being empty and shut-up for the off-season, the coffee shops, gift shops, the pizza shop and fish and chip shop, restaurants and pubs are all open during the weekend. The historic Caledonian Inn was even busy on a Sunday and Monday night.

July in Robe also offers an ideal jumping-off point for the annual month-long Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers festival.

We opted for the High Tea at The Blok Estate; homemade delicacies, finger sandwiches, fairy cakes, sweet and savoury pastries, and scones with cream and cabernet jam. Like many of the festival’s events it’s wise to book ahead.

Robe, as we found, is not just for summer. It’s alive in winter with a huge range of accommodation and price options.

But for this view, there is a price worth paying.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SAWeekend.

This review was first published in August 2016 and details updated in March 2021.

• Corner of Beach Court & Lipson Tce, Robe
• 0448 652 586
• alohaaccommodation.com.au
• LOCATION 335km southeast of Adelaide on the Limestone Coast.
• ACCOMMODATION Two-storey, four bedroom house with amazing ocean views. Beach 15m from front door and Marina 50m away. Situated in the centre of Robe. Three king doubles; one with two king singles, port-a-cot. Sleeps 8-10 guests.
• FACILITIES Smart TVs in all bedrooms, Smart TV on both levels, lounge/games room with table tennis table, stone bath in main bedroom, bathroom with twin vanities, hair dryer, three toilets, reverse-cycle airconditioning, designer kitchen, laundry with dryer and iron, Webber Q BBQ upstairs on undercover deck, ducted vacuum, double garage, heated outdoor shower.
• PRICE From $400 per night with a of minimum two nights. Price and length of stay vary depending on time of year.