Making the most of Port Lincoln
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The harbour lies south-east of Port Lincoln town centre. From the berth, the main street is a short 10-minute walk away and winds beside the water with spectacular views. Passengers can also use a shuttle costing 10 AU $.
The City of Port Lincoln and Visitor Information centre have produced a cruise-specific brochure explaining what to see and where to go. Volunteer guides also provide information to international and Australian passengers.
Bring the Printable Maps.
Welcome to Port Lincoln, the "Seafood Capital of Australia". With a population of 14 000, it is a major commercial centre for the Eyre Peninsula and a popular visitor destination. As well as being a beautiful town above Boston Bay, Port Lincoln is an ideal base for exploring the coast and experiencing Eyre Peninsula first-hand.
Use the "hop-on, hop-off" bus serving 9 destinations, including museums and local visitor attractions. The listed fare is 40 AU $ per person.
Getting around
Whaler's Way is a private-land drive beginning 20 km south of Port Lincoln. The route itself is around 15 km and takes about 3 hours if you see every sight. Purchase a $40 entry permit from the visitors centre and show it at the gate; permits are also sold at the gate when it is attended. For after-hours access, obtain a gate key from the Port Lincoln visitors centre with a $10 deposit. Expect dramatic cliff edges, rock pools, crevasses, islands, rock falls and seals.
Port Lincoln is in South Australia and was used for the underwater scenes in Jaws and Blue Water White death. Cage shark dives are available, but they are quite expensive and provide no guarantee of seeing a great white shark.
When cruising to Port Lincoln in summer, an exclusive cruise-ship excursion lets you relax while absorbing the region's untamed scenery. Follow part of South Australia's most breathtaking coastline, learn Port Lincoln's history and heritage, and encounter abundant wildlife and secluded pockets of paradise as a storyteller guide reveals hidden gems. This 4-hour tour costs $145 AU per person.
For further details on city highlights, the town shuttle and "hop-on, hop-off" service, consult the printable Port Lincoln virtual pamphlet.
The Visitor Centre at 60 Tasman tce, Port Lincoln, sells many tours.
Food and shopping
Tasman Terrace is Port Lincoln's main shopping street, with shops along one side and the park and waterfront opposite. Fashion shops, cafés and restaurants are joined by all essential supplies.
Money
The currency is the Australian Dollar.
Staying connected
English is spoken.
Opening Hours and
Shops and services generally operate from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and until lunchtime on Saturday. In cities and larger towns, many stay open late on Thursday or Friday evening, usually to 9pm, and all day Saturday. Shopping centres often trade on Sundays too.
In remote rural areas, roadhouses provide every essential service for the traveller and are generally open 24 hours a day on major highways. Tourist offices, even in places well off the beaten track, often open daily or at least through the week and on weekend mornings; city information centres tend to follow normal shopping hours.
Tourist attractions such as museums, galleries and staffed historic monuments often open each day, though those in rural communities may have unpredictable hours.