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Port Lincoln Top 10 Things to Do – Seafood, Beaches & Wildlife Adventures
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Port Lincoln Top 10 Things to Do – Seafood, Beaches & Wildlife Adventures
Port Lincoln is a picturesque coastal city on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Known as the Seafood Capital of Australia, it’s a popular destination for food lovers and nature enthusiasts alike, offering unique wildlife encounters, beautiful beaches, stunning national parks, fascinating maritime history and scenic coastal walking trails. It’s also the perfect base for exploring several charming nearby towns. Port Lincoln is located approximately 650 kilometres west of Adelaide.
Explore Foreshore & Jetty
The Port Lincoln Foreshore stretches along the edge of Boston Bay and offers beautiful ocean views, relaxing walking paths and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the fresh sea air. It’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors, with grassy picnic areas, playgrounds and easy access to cafés and restaurants.
One of the highlights along the foreshore is the collection of sculptures and public artworks that reflect Port Lincoln’s history and identity. The famous statue of champion racehorse Makybe Diva stands proudly overlooking the bay, honouring the horse’s connection to local tuna fisherman Tony Santic. Nearby, the impressive Tuna Poler sculpture pays tribute to the hardworking fishermen who helped build Port Lincoln’s world-renowned seafood industry.
At the centre of the foreshore is the iconic Port Lincoln Town Jetty, a favourite place for fishing, swimming and taking in the coastal views. Originally built in 1857, the jetty played an important role in Port Lincoln’s early development, serving as the town’s main shipping and transport hub throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, it’s mainly used for fishing, swimming and leisurely strolls. From the jetty, you can access the free swimming enclosure. This 16-metre-wide pool features a 2-metre-wide floating pontoon around its perimeter, providing plenty of space for swimmers and a dry area for belongings. The enclosure is surrounded by strong safety netting and can be accessed via ramps, steps and ladders.
Swim with Sea Lions
One of the most unforgettable wildlife experiences in Port Lincoln is swimming with sea lions. Calypso Tours offer small-group tours from October to May each year. Swimming alongside these playful and curious animals is truly magical, as they glide effortlessly through the water, often coming right up close to investigate with their big, expressive eyes. The sea lions interact with visitors entirely on their own terms, making every encounter feel natural, personal and unique.
For those chasing even more adventure, you can also come face-to-face with great white sharks in Calypso Tours’ famous cage diving experience. It’s wild, exhilarating and guaranteed to be an experience you’ll never forget.
Discover Lincoln National Park
Lincoln National Park is located 13 kilometres south-west of Port Lincoln on the south-eastern tip of the Eyre Peninsula. This spectacular national park showcases the rugged beauty of the region, with dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches and breathtaking coastal scenery.
The road from the entrance to Surfleet Cove is sealed, while many of the remaining roads are dirt tracks, with some areas requiring a 4WD vehicle. Lincoln National Park is popular for boating, fishing, beachcombing, swimming, birdwatching, whale watching and nature walks. There are also a variety of campgrounds throughout the park, offering easy access to beaches, bays and walking trails.
Eat Fresh Seafood
Port Lincoln is home to the largest commercial fishing fleet in the Southern Hemisphere and has earned its reputation as the Seafood Capital of Australia. Surrounded by the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean and Spencer Gulf, the region produces an incredible variety of premium seafood, including southern bluefin tuna, yellowtail kingfish, King George whiting and snapper. You’ll also find top-quality prawns, mussels, southern rock lobster, calamari and abalone when in season.
A great place to start is The Fresh Fish Place, a factory-direct seafood market where you can pick up freshly filleted fish, Coffin Bay oysters, prawns and more, all sourced from the surrounding waters and prepared daily. If you don’t feel like cooking, you can enjoy a freshly prepared seafood meal here or dine at one of the many excellent pubs and restaurants throughout Port Lincoln.
Day Trip to Coffin Bay
Coffin Bay is located 45 kilometres from Port Lincoln and is famous for its delicious oysters, beautiful National Park and relaxed coastal atmosphere.
To learn how Coffin Bay oysters are cultivated from seed to harvest, you can take an Oyster Farm tour. Taking a tour is a fun experience that gives you a deeper appreciation of the industry and lets you taste some of the freshest oysters you’ll ever have, right where they are grown.
You can also explore the Coffin Bay National Park, a spectacular coastal wilderness known for its sweeping sand dunes, crystal-clear waters, and abundant wildlife. It is popular for boating, fishing, swimming, 4 Wheel Driving and camping.
Visit Boston Bay Wines
Boston Bay Wines is located just six kilometres north of Port Lincoln on the Lincoln Highway and is one of the region’s most scenic cellar doors, offering stunning views across Boston Bay. Open daily from 11 am to 5 pm, it’s the perfect place to relax and experience the flavours of the Eyre Peninsula. Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, fresh local seafood and regional produce at the restaurant, or simply unwind with a glass of wine while taking in the coastal scenery.
This family-owned winery is known for combining premium wines with the laid-back lifestyle Port Lincoln is famous for, making it a must-visit stop during your time in the Seafood Capital of Australia.
Explore Axel Stenross Maritime Museum
The Axel Stenross Maritime Museum, located on the Lincoln Highway, brings the region’s rich maritime history to life. The museum celebrates the life of Finnish boat builder Axel Stenross, who arrived in Port Lincoln in 1927 and became an important part of the town’s proud seafaring heritage.
Inside, you’ll find beautifully restored wooden boats, maritime artefacts, historic boat-building tools, photographs and newspaper clippings, along with a still-operating slipway that offers a fascinating glimpse into the past. There are also videos and interactive exhibits where visitors can try traditional maritime skills such as knot tying, making it an enjoyable hands-on experience for both kids and adults. It’s a must-visit attraction for anyone wanting a deeper appreciation of Port Lincoln’s strong connection to the sea. Be sure to check the website for current opening hours.
Day Trip to Tumby Bay
Take a day trip to Tumby Bay, a charming seaside town located approximately 50 kilometres north of Port Lincoln. The town is known for its vibrant street art, beautiful beaches and relaxed coastal atmosphere. Tumby Bay features a picturesque foreshore lined with Norfolk Pine trees, calm turquoise waters and sandy beaches. The jetty is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, snorkelling and enjoying the stunning coastal views.
One of the biggest highlights is the incredible street art found throughout the town’s laneways and on the sides of buildings. Tumby Bay has become one of South Australia’s standout street art destinations thanks to Colour Tumby, the bi-annual festival that has transformed the town into a giant outdoor gallery. Held every two years since 2018, the festival brings renowned mural artists to town to create large-scale artworks inspired by local stories, landscapes and coastal life.
We loved wandering the self-guided street art trail and admiring works by celebrated artists including Smug, Jimmy Dvate and Matt Adnate. Trail maps are available from local shops and are well worth following to uncover the many artworks scattered throughout the town.
Enjoy the Views at Winter Hill Lookout
For some of the best views in Port Lincoln, head to Winter Hill Lookout, located just five kilometres from the town centre. Following the Flinders Highway before turning onto Winters Hill Road, this scenic lookout rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views across Port Lincoln, Boston Bay and the surrounding coastline. From the top, you can see Boston Island, Donington Island and Cape Donington stretching out across the sparkling waters, while the town of Port Lincoln unfolds below. It’s the perfect place to appreciate the scale, beauty and natural surroundings of the region.
Wander along the Parnkalla Track
The Parnkalla Walking Trail is a 35-kilometre coastal track that stretches from North Shields to Lincoln National Park. You can explore shorter sections of the trail, and we especially enjoyed walking from the Billy Lights Boat Ramp, where the track winds through coastal bushland, past scenic lookouts and down to beautiful little beaches scattered with striking orange rocks. The trail offers incredible coastal scenery, rugged cliffs and stunning views across Boston Bay. It’s a fantastic walk for enjoying the peaceful coastal atmosphere, spotting local wildlife and capturing beautiful photographs along the way.
Don't Miss Port Lincoln!
From unforgettable wildlife encounters and incredible fresh seafood to stunning coastal scenery and charming nearby towns, Port Lincoln truly offers something for every type of traveller. Whether you’re swimming with sea lions, exploring rugged national parks, tasting freshly shucked oysters in Coffin Bay or simply soaking up the ocean views along the foreshore, this beautiful part of the Eyre Peninsula leaves a lasting impression.
With its relaxed coastal atmosphere, friendly locals and endless opportunities for adventure, it’s easy to see why Port Lincoln is one of South Australia’s most rewarding travel destinations. If you’re planning a trip through the Eyre Peninsula, Port Lincoln is a destination that absolutely deserves a place on your itinerary.
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