Cape Dombey Obelisk
Robe Obelisk
A red-and-white striped navigation obelisk built in 1855, standing on a limestone cliff that is steadily collapsing. It is Robe's most iconic landmark.
The Obelisk stands on Cape Dombey northwest of Robe. Built in 1855 by local builder George Sivas, it is roughly 12 m high, and its red and white stripes guided ships entering and leaving Guichen Bay. It is now a South Australian state heritage site. The cape is a limestone cliff rising about 30 m above the sea. Long erosion by waves has brought the cliff close to the base of the obelisk, and a section of cliff collapsed nearby in 2025. The area around the obelisk is now fenced off, so it can only be viewed from the walking track. The local council is weighing options to relocate it, replicate it, or let it erode naturally, so those who want to see it as it is should not wait. It is about 15 minutes by car or on foot from the town center via Obelisk Road. From there, a cliff path leads to the nearby modern lighthouse and the former prison site, and sunset is the most beautiful time to go. The cliff edge is crumbly, so always stay on the path.
Opening hours
Open all day (monument enclosure closed; view from the trail)
Nearby sights
- Robe Gaol Ruins
- Robe Customs House Maritime Museum
- Robe Chinese Monument
- Robe Town Beach
- Victoria Street, Robe
- Long Beach
- Little Dip Conservation Park
- Woakwine Cutting