Lincoln National Park is surrounded by sparkling turquoise waters, sheltered beaches as well as pounding ocean surf and limestone cliffs and is the ideal laidback camping location.
The park’s location at the southern tip of South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, 13 kilometres from Port Lincoln. It has a diversity of campsites; from sheltered sandy beaches overlooking Boston Bay to coastline exposed to the Southern Ocean.
Camping
With 12 camping areas to choose from, there’s a spot to suit every category of camper; trailers and caravans are well catered for and several tent only bush camps are hidden away at the end of 4WD tracks.
Some camping areas are just a few steps from a beach with boat access nearby, while others are sheltered behind dunes or overlook the beach from cliff tops. Many have bush toilets and picnic areas.
The weather during our stay was cool and persistently breezy so we checked out many of the camping areas in search of shelter from the wind. We ended up choosing Fisherman’s Point with eight campsites on a raised rocky area with sheltered beaches either side.
This bay is so sheltered that white tops and waves miraculously disappear as they pass the headlands. The tide just whispers its way onto the shore.
Easy access
An extensive sealed road network means that most of the park is easily accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles; most unsealed sections are well-graded roads with 4WD tracks to some of the more remote campsites clearly marked.
We didn’t need to engage 4WD for our Nissan Patrol and Track Trailer Tvan anywhere we went.
Activities
Activities on offer include fishing, bushwalking, bird watching, 4WD exploring. Or you can just meditate to the sound of waves brushing the beach.
As we were just in the mood for a slow day, we contented ourselves with walks on the beach and lazy days with a good book. We took in the antics of the abundant bird life from our clifftop campsite.
We had a ‘balcony’ view of daily aerial and water displays from Pacific gulls, pelicans, cormorants and dusky wood swallows. There were superb fairy-wrens in full breeding blue splendour among the coastal vegetation at our camp. While on the beach pied oystercatchers and sandpipers fed at the shoreline.
There are more than 100 kilometres of walking trails within the park. We did choose to pass on bushwalking when were there, but these trails range from easy short walks to challenging treks.
The Investigator Trail is the most extensive trail on offer. This trail named after the HMS Investigator, the ship commanded by Matthew Flinders while surveying the coastline of Eyre Peninsula in 1802. It’s divided into sections that can be walked or hiked separately – or trekked as a whole.
Port Lincoln
If you tire of the quiet life, Port Lincoln is about a 30-minute drive away to stock up on supplies. When you’re there, check out the bronze statue of three-time Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva. Or grab a cappuccino before heading back to the bush.
However, if you crave isolation and wilderness, the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area, located at southern end of the park offers a very special experience.
Check out Lincoln National Park on the Parks Australia Website for further information on camping fees and locations as well as things to do and alternative accommodation.
Have you been to Lincoln National Park? Maybe you have some advice for others planning a trip to the area?
Our family camped only very occasionally when growing up, but the sounds and smell of the Australian bush made a lasting impact.