Excited to share my Port Lincoln 4 Days itinerary, which covers unique experiences you won’t forget, tasty restaurants, gorgeous boutiques and majestic beaches and parks. Plus, you’ll be experiencing the Eyre Peninsula like a local, as many of the spots I include are approved and loved by our Port Lincoln friends, who were born and raised here.
Overall, Port Lincoln and the Eyre Peninsula surprised me! For such a small, rural town, it has so much to see and do and some of the most spectacular beaches. You also get to experience Australia’s true charm, as Port Lincoln was just named one of the most welcoming cities in the country. And for those that love fresh seafood, you’re in for a treat, as Port Lincoln is also known as the seafood capital of Australia!
Since we visited the Eyre Peninsula in January (summer in Australia), I have included mostly summer activities; however, this itinerary is still applicable and changeable for those visiting other times of the year. Regardless of when you go, I hope you fall in love with this region as much as I did.
About Port Lincoln
If you have never been to Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, let me share a bit about it that might convince you to go. It is famously known for almost being the capital city of South Australia, a top fishing destination, and it is the only destination where you can cage dive with the notorious great white shark! Plus, it has some of the most spectacular beaches in Southern Australia that you typically have all to yourself.
Things to Know Before You Go to Port Lincoln
Getting to Port Lincoln on the Eyre Peninsula
There are two ways to get to Port Lincoln. Drive 8 hours from Adelaide or fly 30 minutes from Adelaide to Port Lincoln’s airport on Qantas or Jetstar. We opted for the latter to save time and energy, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision. FYI: Qantas has multiple flights daily to Port Lincoln, so availability should be plentiful.
However, if you fly to Port Lincoln, I recommend renting a vehicle to get around the Eyre Peninsula and explore the surrounding beaches, parks and towns.
Staying in Port Lincoln
While we were in Port Lincoln, we were extremely spoiled to get to stay with our good friends and their three kids. They live in the marina region, with a canal right in their backyard! We even saw dolphins regularly swimming by; it was such a treat!
However, if you don’t have friends or family to stay with, I would stay at the following places (and want to stay here when we come back):
Accommodations to Stay at in Port Lincoln
The Port Lincoln Hotel: This four-star hotel is right in the centre of town so you can walk to the shops, restaurants and cafes! Plus, the hotel and pub just got a beautiful facelift, and has all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.
Kata & Belle: If you prefer to wake up in nature, stay in the peaceful glamping tents in Lincoln National Park. Incredible trails, beautiful beaches, and stargazing are all accessible right outside your bell tent.
Eyre Way: Eyre Way is an off-grid Tiny Abode 30 minutes outside of town near Whales away and Fishery’s Bay. This was one of our favourite beaches in the area. So if you are looking for more of a remote and relaxing holiday, this accommodation would be perfect!
Shawn Street Motel: affordable, adorable retro motel on the water! They also have a beautiful cafe.
Best Time to Visit Port Lincoln
Due to its exposed location on the Eyre Peninsula, Port Lincoln is the best to visit in the summer months. In the winter, it can get very cold, wet and stormy.
Additionally, if you come in the summer, the town’s biggest annual festival Tuna-rama takes place every January around the Australia Day long weekend. You can expect carnival rides, family entertainment, the famous tuna toss, and a parade! Alternatively, in March, Port Lincoln comes alive for the horse races during the Port Lincoln Cup.
Port Lincoln 4-Days Itinerary
Okay, finally getting to the good stuff. My 4 days Port Lincoln itinerary for those traveling to the Eyre Peninsula! This itinerary is perfect for those people who are coming to Port Lincoln for a long weekend. However, I will warn you that this itinerary is jammed packed with so many fun activities, it will leave you wanting to extend your stay. Nonetheless, four days is plenty and you will get a great sense of the area and all there is to see and do.
But if you are looking for a more relaxed visit then you can easily spread out this itinerary into 5-7 days. Or simply do what you can and save the rest for your next visit. Enjoy!
Day 1 – Coffin Bay on the Eyre Peninsula
Coffin Bay Oysters, Wine & Nature Day Trip
If you love oysters, this full-day tour to Coffin Bay is an absolute ‘must do’ in the Eyre Peninsula! Coffin Bay oysters are famous in Australia for being one of the best-tasting, premium oysters in the country. And after trying them myself, I can attest that they are right. This day-long adventure not only allows you to sample some local oysters and wine, but they also take you to a working oyster farm and share how the growing process works!
The oyster boat tour was such a unique way to learn about oyster agriculture while taking in the stunning scenery of Coffin Bay from the water. Getting a chance to taste them on the ocean they’re grown in was the ultimate farm-to-table experience we won’t forget!
On top of this, having a seafood lunch, wine tasting, and seeing some of the beach beaches in the region made this a day to remember! We couldn’t believe how pristine Coffin Bay National Park and Almonta Beach were and that we had the whole sandy shores to ourselves. While you are there watch out for dolphins, kangaroos and emus in the area. We lucked out and saw a family of emus and kangaroos in Coffin Bay National Park, thanks to our guide!
One of the reason we booked this tour was because they picked us up from our accommodation. Coffin’s Bay is about a 30-minute drive from Port Lincoln, so not having to worry about transportation to all of these locations meant all of us could relax and enjoy some local wine and bubbles on the trip.
Ultimately, this tour ended up being one of the highlights of our stay in Port Lincoln, and it allowed us to see and do so much in one day!
Day 2 – See Australian Animals or Marine Life (like Sharks!)
On day two of your Port Lincoln Itinerary, I have listed out a few different options depending on your budget, interests, and what animals you want to see! If you are looking for a budget-friendly experience that will suit visitors of any age or ability, I recommend Glen Forest Tourist Park. For adrenaline junkies, opt for the famous shark cage diving, and for those looking for a memorable experience that is a bit more family-friendly, go swimming with the sea lions.
Alternatively, if you have more time in Port Lincoln, you could try to fit in all these experiences. Read on for more details about each option.
Glen Forest Tourist Park
Have you ever patted a koala? Or fed a kangaroo? If you’ve answered no to either of those questions, you have to visit Glen Forest Tourist Park. Located only 15 minutes away from town, this family-run tourist park is home to an array of Australian and farm animals you can pet and feed. On top of this, there is also an adventure maze, mini-golf, segway tours around their winery, and wine tasting of Port Lincoln Estate Wines!
Tip: purchase their $2 food bags; this will help you get up close and personal with all the adorable animals.
Since I have never driven a segway before, we tried this 30-minute tour and had a blast! They take you around their Port Lincoln Estate Winery vines, and our guide, Simon, told us all about the growing and harvesting process. Surprisingly, driving the segways was a bit trickier than I thought, but it didn’t take long to get comfortable with it. After, we sampled one of their $10 Port Lincoln Estate Wines tasting paddles, and the Sashimi Sauvignon Blanc was the group’s favourite! They also allow you to bring in your own picnic or BBQ. So we brought in everything for a charcuterie platter and enjoyed it with our wine tasting while watching the highland cows and kangaroos wander the beautiful grounds.
Glen Forest Tourist Park is open every day (including holidays and weekends) 10 am- 5 pm and is an unforgettable experience for visitors of any age. You can buy your tickets online or at the gate, but be sure to purchase the segway tours in advance. Overall, we spent 3 hours here, but we could have easily stayed longer.
Shark Cage Diving
If great white shark cage diving has always been on your bucket list, then a trip to Port Lincoln has to be on your Australian itinerary! For starters, Port Lincoln is the only place in Australia where you can do shark cage diving because of the large population of great white sharks.
It’s important to note that this tour is 12-hour event that runs from 6 am to 6 pm. This is because it takes 3-hours to boat out to the diving location, and then you have a few hours taking turns in the cage. After diving with the sharks, you have some lunch, and they boat to a spot where you can safely swim with seal lions. Then it is another 3-hour boat trip back to Port Lincoln.
Although spotting sharks is very common, wildlife is unpredictable, and there are days when they won’t see any sharks. Because of this, they have a policy that if you don’t see sharks, you get a $300 credit you can use on another tour in the next year. So if you plan on going shark cage diving, I recommend going on your first or second day of your 4 days in Port Lincoln, so that if you don’t see sharks, you can plan to go out the next day. Or you can come back and use it during another trip.
Local tip: when the shark boat comes into the marina each evening around 6 pm, they will raise their flag if they have seen sharks that day. If there is no flag flying, then they haven’t seen sharks.
Swim with Seal Lions
When you go shark cage diving you will have a chance to swim with the seal lions. However, if shark cage diving isn’t for you, or if you don’t want to use up an entire day, there are also these tours where you can just swim with these friendly and playful seal lions. This tour takes approximately 5 hours.
Marina Hotel Pub
After an eventful day playing or watching local wildlife, relax and refuel at the Marina Hotel Pub. This is the spot to go if you are looking for a restaurant with a low-key vibe with great seafood! Watch boats sail by as you sit on their outside patio and sip on a cool glass of Lincoln Estate white wine (a local wine that quickly became our go-to). Their tempera oysters were our favourite, and their garlic shrimp were also fantastic!
Tip: This restaurant is also kid-friendly, with a kids’ menu and colouring book.
Day 3 – Lincoln National Park and Wine & Dine
On day three of this Port Lincoln Itinerary, you have a chance to explore the town and local businesses of Port Lincoln and then adventure through Lincoln National Park!
Breakfast at Ethical Kitchen
Vegans and vegetarians will love this cafe in town! And even if you are a carnivore, their smoothies, salads, and lattes are still delicious and will make you feel healthy! While you are there, be sure to pick up some snack items from their bulk foods section.
Shop at Local Boutiques
Despite it being a small coastal town, Port Lincoln has a handful of beautiful boutiques full of Australian labels, beautiful clothing, accessories and housewares. Here are a few we stopped into that I am still dreaming about, but there are certainly more we missed!
Lunch at The Beach Bakery
The popular Tumby bakery opened a secondary location in the main town of Port Lincoln called, The Beach Bakery on King. I was impressed with their coffees, pies, donuts, and Kitchener buns. This hip spot gets busy during lunch hour, and some of their top items tend to sell out. So if you can, try to come before noon.
Tip: If the bakery is too busy or it is a nice day, take your items to go to enjoy at Lincoln National Park. There are picnic tables there to eat right near the beach.
Explore Lincoln National Park
Lincoln National Park is a nature lovers paradise, and activities are endless! If you are feeling adventurous go hiking, fishing, surf the sand dunes, or go four wheel driving and find native wildlife!
There are many walking trails in Lincoln National Park, but Stamford Loop is the most popular. It is a bit over 2 km, and took us around an hour. It starts off with moderate slope, but gets steeper towards the summit. Along the way you will find some interesting information signs about Matthew Flinders who climbed up here to spy out the lay of the land in search of water. Once you reach the top there is an obelisk in memory of Flinders, and the views are panoramic and distant.
After your hike, relax on the beach or jump in for a refreshing dip! Better yet, pack a picnic to enjoy at the picnic tables or on the beach.
To visit Lincoln National Park, you must pay for a park pass that is $12.50 AUD per vehicle. Rangers do wander the park and check that vehicles do have this pass. Here is the link to purchase your ticket in advance. There is no toll booth at the gate, so this is much easier to do online.
Alternatively, if you do not have a car, and have the time, I really recommend this off-roading sunset sand dunes tour around Lincoln National Park. Here you will have a guide to drive you through the famous sand dunes, show you the most picturesque view point for sunset and point out native plants, birds and wildlife along the way!
Peter Teakle Winery and Line & Label Restaurant
After working up an appetite at Lincoln National Park, head home and freshen up for a wine tasting followed by a spectacular dinner. Peter Teakle Winery is one of the more prestigious wineries in the area. They are only open for tastings Saturday and Sunday, and they were very busy, so I recommend booking a tasting beforehand to avoid disappointment. We also ordered the tasting platter, and it was delicious and perfectly complemented their wines.
Following our wine tasting, we headed over to the Line & Label Restaurant, which is on the same property but in a different building. Here we were spoiled with hand-crafted cocktails, delicious food, and impeccable service. I highly recommend their famous squid ink fried Spencer Gulf prawns and the BBQ Soy pork. The pork was SO good, I am still dreaming about it, and I hope I can somehow recreate the massaman curry sauce that made it so good.
Day 4 – Beach Day or Fishing
Day four of this Port Lincoln Itinerary is one of my favourites! It’s time to enjoy the beautiful beaches and coastline of the Eyre Peninsula. Once again, there are a few options here depending if you want to relax or swim at the beach, or head out fishing!
The Rogue & Rascal Cafe
Start your day with a delicious flat white and breakfast at The Rogue & Rascal cafe. We opted to sit and relax in their stunning cafe, but it would also be lovely to get your coffee to go and stroll the beachside promenade.
Whalers Way
About 30 minutes outside of Port Lincoln is an area called Whalers Way. Along here, you will see spectacular seaside cliffs, blowholes, caves, crystal clear rock pools, and seals swimming in the ocean below. Whalers Way is a popular spot for photographers and adventure seekers that want to swim in the beautiful rock pool; however, climbing down the steep cliff to the rock pool is dangerous, and after doing it ourselves, I wouldn’t recommend it. However, driving around Whalers Way was beautiful, and we enjoyed stopping and checking out all the lookout points.
If you are interested in visiting Whalers Way, it is important to know that it is located on private property. Therefore, visitors have to pay $40 AUD per car to get a key code to get through the locked gate. This permit also includes 1-night of camping on the property. If you are interested, be sure to register online and pay the fee here before driving there, as there is spotty to no cell service out at the gate.
Fishery Bay
Right beside the entrance to Whalers Way is a gorgeous bay called Fishery Bay. This was one of our favourite beaches in the area and a great place to swim, picnic or stop after exploring Whalers Way!
So funny story, the first day we arrived in Port Lincoln, our friends asked what we wanted to do. My answer was ‘swim with dolphins.’ Although you can book a Dolphin swim out of Coffin Bay, it was totally sold out during our stay, and our friends told us this wasn’t likely to happen naturally.
Fast forward to the last day of our stay in Port Lincoln, and we drove out to Fishery’s Bay. As soon as we walked up, we saw a group of 8 dolphins splashing around in the bay. They were already very close to shore, so Ben and I dropped our things and ran into the water. And to our surprise, the dolphins swam right up to us!! Luckily, we had goggles and our GoPro ready to capture this incredible moment. Even when we put our heads underwater, we could hear the dolphins squeaking to one another. And the water was so clear we could see them swim right in front of us; what a dream come true! Now I’m not saying this will happen if you go to Fishery’s Beach, but you never know…
And even if you don’t see dolphins, this beach is stunning and totally worth a visit. Bright turquoise waters, small waves if you happen to have a surfboard or boogie board, and if you have a 4×4, you can drive right onto the beach. However, I wouldn’t recommend driving onto the beach unless you know what you are doing. The sand here isn’t very firm, and if you don’t park or drive right, your car can get stuck and then ruined when the tide comes up. Also, I should mention that there is no cell service at this beach! So if you get your car stuck, you are kind of hooped.
Fishing or Crabbing Charter Boat
As I mentioned earlier, Port Lincoln is famous for fishing! King George whiting, Snapper, and Flathead are the most typical fish around these waters. However, crayfish, crab and squid can also be caught. If you love fishing, be sure to hop on a fishing charter for the day or weekend.
A King George Whiting.
The Port Lincoln Hotel – Bayside Lounge
End your day relaxing with a good pub feed at Bayside in the Port Lincoln Hotel. The restaurant offers beautiful views of the Port Lincoln waterfront and has a covered and uncovered patio. Most weekends, you can expect live music in the evenings, and every day they offer happy hour specials.
Top 3 Favourite Photo Spots in Port Lincoln
Koalas at Glen Forest Tourist Park | Google Pin
Coffin Bay | Google Pin
Fishery Bay | Google Pin
That concludes my 4 days Port Lincoln Itinerary. Although we experienced it in the summer, you could easily use this itinerary during the spring or fall months.
If we came in the fall, I would prioritize swimming with the Giant Cuttlefish from May to August. I hope you find this guide helpful for your trip planning and that you enjoy Port Lincoln as much as we did! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below.
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