13/03/2026
š The Encounter Signal ā A Tribute to Robeās Maritime Story
Standing proudly on Cape Dombey, the Encounter Signal is one of Robeās most meaningful modern landmarks ā a sculpture that honours both our coastlineās earliest explorers and our ongoing maritime traditions.
Built for Robeās Encounter 2002 celebrations, the monument commemorates the meeting of Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin, whose early maps shaped our understanding of this rugged coastline.
The stainlessāsteel panel at the rear is etched with their original coastal charts, a powerful reminder of the age of discovery.
The base of the monument is the exact footprint of the Robe Obelisk, creating a symbolic link between past and present. From the viewing platform, visitors can look out toward the Obelisk, Doorway Rock, and the vast Southern Ocean.
Its fourāsided mast carries the engraved names of every Robe fishing boat operating in 2002, along with the French and English names for Robeās coastal features ā a tribute to the generations who have lived, worked, and fished along this coastline.
Designed by Robert Spooner, the Encounter Signal was officially opened on 13 April 2002 by Her Excellency Marjorie JacksonāNelson AC CVO MBE, Governor of South Australia.
A modern sculpture with deep historical roots, the Encounter Signal continues to celebrate Robeās identity, heritage, and connection to the sea.
Photographs supplied by Graeme Saunders
