Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre

On wooded rolling hills stretching down to one of the world`s largest protected natural harbours is situated Port Lincoln, a gracious and exciting city of 14,000 people.

The jewel in Port Lincoln`s crown is sparkling blue Boston Bay, whose encircling arms stretch from the tip of Port Lincoln National Park to Point Boston. The bay covers an area more than three and a half times the size of Sydney Harbour.

Cradled between these two arms is Boston Island just five kilometres off the Port Lincoln coast, creating a vast expanse of sheltered water for small boat fishing and idyllic day sailing.

Further a field lies the Sir Joseph Banks group of Islands to the north east and Thorny Passage to the south east, giving offshore fishermen and blue water sailors a large range of unique destinations regardless of prevailing winds.
For the land based tourist, Lower Eyre Peninsula offers a kaleidoscope of touring options. Sheltered beaches, spectacular lookouts, booming surf beaches, secluded picnic spots, rugged coastal scenery, picturesque hill country, history and wildlife. Port Lincoln has it all.

It is little wonder that this natural affinity to water activities tend to reflect in Port Lincoln`s Festivals - The Adelaide to Lincoln Quins Blue Water Classic Yacht Race and Lincoln Week Regatta held in February each year, Annual Port Lincoln Game Fishing Club Tournament, and the only festival held in the world dedicated to a fish, the famous Tunarama - Festival held at the end of January.

Port Lincoln was discovered by Matthew Flinders under his commission by the British Admiralty to chart Australia`s unexplored coastline. The converted collier Investigator dropped anchor in Boston Bay in February 1802 and Flinders named the spot Port Lincoln after his native Lincolnshire in England. Only several days earlier Flinders lost eight seamen near Memory Cove, including his sailing master, Captain John Thistle, whilst searching for water. Port Lincoln was initially considered as the alternative sight for the State`s Capital, but was subsequently rejected by Colonel Light in 1836 in favour of Adelaide. Lack of fresh water supplies was a major determining factor.

The First Settlers arrived in March 1839 aboard the Abeona, the Dorset and the Porter. There is an historic plaque at the First Landing site to commemorate the event.

Dining out in Port Lincoln is always an adventure whether your taste ranges from traditional hotel fare, a night out at a specialist restaurant or a good old fashioned take away. Make sure you sample the seafood. Depending on the season, tantalising dishes of Southern Ocean Rock Lobster, Western King Prawns and King George Whiting can normally be found on most menus in the recognised eateries.

Port Lincoln has an extensive retail shopping area which services the local population, the visitor and the rural community of southern Eyre Peninsula.

Whether it be a kilogram of fresh whiting fillets, the latest fashion gear, some fresh bread rolls, parts for the car, or a quick take-away, you can get it all at Port Lincoln.

Port Lincoln is perhaps the nation`s biggest combined agricultural and fishing centre.

Port Lincoln`s primary industries include the production of lambs, wool and beef, Cereal crops including wheat, oats, barley, canola, lupins etc. Tuna, prawns, lobster, abalone and scale fish are the major fishing and aquaculture industries.

 

Category: Visitor Information Centres