South Australia was the final state/territory in Australia that I hadn't yet been to until last month. Now, it's a place I look forward to revisiting, with so many more beautiful spots to see.
And I have Port Lincoln to thank for that.
Recently, my colleague (really more my work wife) Shannen and I went on a trip to Port Lincoln to see some of the picturesque magic that is the Eyre Peninsula region.
A snapshot of Port Lincoln. Post continues below.
If you're a seafood fan, a winery enthusiast, someone looking for a good family friendly holiday destination or a place where nature, coastline and scenery will take your breath away - then maybe it's time to have a look at this region.
To give you idea of where to stay, what to do, where to eat and what to experience, I've reflected on some of my favourite parts of the trip. And they may be the perfect additions to your pending itinerary.
Where to stay in Port Lincoln.
I have to give a shout out to where we stayed in Port Lincoln, because it was the ultimate accommodation haven.
We stayed at Tulka House, and it had all the amenities we possibly needed and desired.
It was an idyllic spot, given it felt private and secluded but also just 10 minutes away from the town centre. And everyone we spoke to during our time in Port Lincoln made note of what a great accommodation option it is.
Plus the owners, Mark and Jane, were the loveliest hosts.
For those with kids or a bigger family, renting the whole place (Tulka House and The Loft) is a great option, and it's not too expensive. For couples or two mates, just renting The Loft would be plenty.
Where to eat in Port Lincoln.
There's a reason why Port Lincoln is referred to as the seafood capital of South Australia.
Coffin Bay, which is a 30-minute drive from Port Lincoln, is a must-see. While there you can go on an oyster farming tour. There's also nearby eatery options where you can snack on a few tasty morsels from the sea, or have a seafood feast. Plus, the crystal clear blue waters are beautiful to photograph.
Another place to visit is The Fresh Fish Place in Port Lincoln, if you're keen to learn about the region's fishing processes and how to fillet some fish. After the tour, you can then purchase a classic seafood lunch. I thoroughly recommend treating yourself and getting the oysters and the salt and pepper squid too.
What to do in Port Lincoln.
Swimming with Sea Lions.
One of the most popular tourist activities to do while in Port Lincoln is to swim with the sea lions.
When I found out I was doing this experience with Calypso Charter Tours, I cannot tell you how excited I was. So I began to do my research. The Australian sea lion is, funnily enough, endemic to Australia and 85 per cent of the species are located in South Australia. So the chance to get to see these creatures – who by the way are known as the puppies of the sea – up close and personal was thrilling.
And. They. Were. So. Cute.
The chartered boat ride to the specific destination where the sea lions is approximately an hour and a half both ways. But after getting to see a sea lion do a somersault, the day trip definitely felt worth it.
Of course, there's no guarantees you will see countless sea lions on the tour. Due to some rather dreary weather, I only saw two when I was in the water with my snorkel gear, but to be fair, I also had a pod of very friendly dolphins come and swim around me too.
Natural History Tour.
This tour at Yarnbala is in Coffin Bay and the drive there was super picturesque.
And when we arrived at the location, we were impressed.
The tour we did was walking around on the estate (btw super accessible) with the owner Kane, who is also a passionate conservationist. He spoke about the Indigenous flora and fauna, and the efforts behind preserving the local ecosystem. We learned all about how certain plants, seeds and fruit were used by First Nations people in the region, and we could also sample some delicious quandong fruit that had just been harvested.
After a seriously good gin tasting and didgeridoo performance, we felt the tour was the perfect balance between informative and interesting. Minus the gin tasting, it's an experience for all ages, including families with kids.
The best Port Lincoln wineries.
Fortunately we love a glass or two of wine, and visiting stellar wineries was a top priority for us while in Port Lincoln.
So we popped into Boston Bay Wines during our stay.
We did a tasting of their best whites (and we ended up buying a few bottles ourselves because they were that good), and also had a delicious platter which showcased some of the best produce from the region. Speaking with the owner Jan, it was clear how passionate she was about the wines they produce, particularly as a female-owned establishment.
With a stunning vineyard and cellar door, it was a great addition to our itinerary.
Port Lincoln Sand Dunes and Coastline Tour.
If there is one activity to do when visiting the Port Lincoln region, it's this tour. It's perfect for people of all ages.
We were with Australian Coastal Safaris for the day, and it started off with a bang – 4WDriving on the stunning sand dunes of Port Lincoln National Park. Along with sand dunes, we drove along the naturally rugged and wild coast of the Southern Ocean, and let me tell you it was rugged and wild. And seriously beautiful.
There were plenty of photo opportunities, and driving along the sand dunes is always a lot of fun. I also tried my hand at sandboarding a few times.
For lunch our incredible guide Sarah parked the 4WD on the edge of a cliff (safely of course), where we sat and had a good feed. Next up we went to Mikkira Station. Here they have the only wild koala colony near Port Lincoln.
We were able to see the koalas up close, given the gumtrees they live in are quite short, and we even saw a few joeys which is super rare.
And those weren't the only Aussie animals we had around us – throughout the tour we saw kangaroos, emus, bird life and a goanna. How iconic.
Overall, Port Lincoln has a lot to offer. The best aspect is that it still feels super raw, and down to earth – the people are amazing and they're super passionate about the region.
So if you want to see more of what makes South Australia so unique, add Port Lincoln to your to-do list.
Mamamia travelled as a guest of South Australia Tourism. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's own.
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Feature Image: Supplied.
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