The jewel in the crown of Lincoln National Park is Memory Cove, a tiny isolated beach nestled at the southern end of the park that feels like a private piece of paradise.
Despite an unsuccessful attempt to farm this area in the past, it remains relatively unscathed and the declaration of the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area in 2013 aims to restore the land to pre-European condition.
Access is limited to 15 vehicles per day and five camp sites with a maximum stay of three nights. Entry requires a key and a special pass available from the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre.
“This special place has become a favourite of ours whenever we are in the area.”
Getting there
The entrance to the wilderness area is about 15 kilometres from the turn off within the Lincoln National Park. A4WD vehicle is recommended as road conditions are often unsuitable for conventional vehicles. The drive is not especially difficult. It posed no problem for our Nissan Patrol with 4WD engaged, and Track Trailer Tvan. The exposed limestone and water-diverting culverts across the narrow track demands a slow speed. It will take an hour to cover the 20 kilometres from the locked gate to Memory Cove.
Spectacular views and wildlife
My sense of anticipation grows as we emerge from dense scrub to cross windswept headlands offering spectacular views of the Southern Ocean, only to descend into the
scrub again before arriving at the Cove.
A guide to this drive describes marked diversions off the track to more cliff top views of offshore islands and surrounding waters. Depending on the season, you may see whales, sea lions, nesting sea birds or great white sharks. If towing, you may opt to visit the spots closest to Memory Cove once you’ve set up camp. The track into West Point, in particular, is very narrow and winding with plenty of exposed limestone and ruts.
Arriving at Memory Cove you find a tiny sheltered beach embraced by granite outcrops and headlands of dense mallee.
Birdlife abounds in the surrounding scrub and around the cliffs. Bush birds spend the day darting around the campsite. On our first visit at the end of a long, dry summer; a bowl of water was a big hit with the New Holland Honeyeaters. That trip we were also visited each day by a lone sea lion frolicking just metres off shore.
Bush camping
The five campsites are nestled behind the low shoreline dune among wilderness vegetation. They have a track to the beach from each site. Bush toilets are provided along with a separate parking area and picnic tables for day visitors.
Walking trails take you to the cliff top and beyond with stunning views of the cove and its shimmering waters. Keep a watch out for snakes – an encounter with a metre long black snake late one afternoon was a reminder that we really were encircled by wilderness! Just let them pass by if they emerge onto the track.
Exploring tragedy remembered
The calm, clear water of the bay belies the treacherous currents beyond the headlands and the story behind the naming of Memory Cove. Explorer Matthew Flinders reached this area in 1802 and at the time, fresh water supplies were so low that he despatched eight of his crew in the ship’s cutter to search for water. The cutter never returned and was eventually found floating bottom upwards with no sign of the crew. The cove is named in honour of those men and the offshore islands carry their names.
The isolation and tranquillity of Memory Cove are bewitching and if you are lucky to spend time alone – even for a few hours – it’s a magical and privileged experience.
Download the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection area brochure for more information, and visit the Snowys website or call in and see us for all the gear you need on your Lincoln National Park holiday.
Our family camped only very occasionally when growing up, but the sounds and smell of the Australian bush made a lasting impact.
Yes Phillip, we’ve seen families with children of all ages at Memory Cove, swimming and snorkelling only a few metres from the sheltered beach – both campers and day visitors.
The paradise with lots of adventure and outdoor camping seems quite thrill and exciting and can be opted with family and children.