Travel Guide Port Lincoln

Port Lincoln, with a population of 15,000, is located at the southern end of the Eyre Peninsula, 370 km from Port Augusta. Before the arrival of Europeans in 1836, the area was occupied by the Parnkalla tribe. It was British explorer Matthew Flinders who discovered the town's present location in February 1802. Lincoln comes from the name of the capital of the county of Lincolnshire, from which Flinders originated. It was probably the lack of sufficient fresh water that prevented Port Lincoln from becoming the state capital. The town's economy is based on the grain industry, fishing (canneries and tuna farming), sheep farming (meat and wool) and cattle farming. Thanks to its scenic beauty and access to Spencer Gulf and the Great Australian Bight, Port Lincoln's blue waters are increasingly popular with tourists. It's an ideal base for yachting, scuba diving (including shark cage diving) and deep-sea fishing. Lincoln National Park (13 km), Coffin Bay National Park (46 km) and Kellidie Bay Conservation Park (38 km) are all within easy driving distance.