Winter Family Holiday Itinerary
Winter is the perfect time to slow down and explore Port Lincoln with your family. From wild coastlines and seasonal whale sightings to cosy igloo experiences, hands-on museums and indoor activities for rainy days, there is something to discover.
Day One: Port Lincoln foreshore, CBD and Lincoln Cove Marina
Start the day with breakfast on the foreshore with plenty of cafes and bakeries scattered along Tasman Terrace. Then take a stroll through the CBD, stopping at the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre for local advice, maps, souvenirs and adventure passport stamps.
Follow the Art Trail to discover local history, First Nations murals and landmarks including the Makybe Diva Statue, Tuna Poler Statue and Aunty Connie Mosaic Couch.
The Port Lincoln Foreshore Playground is a must for families, with inclusive play equipment, water play and artwork celebrating Barngarla storytelling.
If the weather is not ideal for a walk, the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum is well worth a visit. A place for the whole family to learn about the maritime history of the Eyre Peninsula, watch a short film, try knot tying, admire model boats and explore the extensive shell collection. Children with a sense of adventure will especially enjoy exploring the ships.
By now, you may have some kids with rumbling bellies, head to the Great Northern Hotel for a relaxed family pub meal, featuring great burgers, local seafood, a veggie bar and daily specials. Most importantly, there is a kids’ play area with transparent glass barriers so you can easily keep an eye on the fun right from your table.
For an easy indoor activity in the afternoon, head to Lincoln Cinema to try the Escape Cube or enjoy a Gold Class movie as a special treat. Alternatively, check what is on at the Port Lincoln Leisure Centre or Port Lincoln Library, as both often offer school holiday activities.
Following the Tourist Drive is a scenic way to spend the afternoon. Head up to Winter Hill Lookout for 360-degree views, then return via Happy Valley Road to Puckridge Park, where you will find a panoramic lookout with views across Port Lincoln and Boston Bay, a flying fox and a beautiful walking trail lined with native plants.
Continue down to Lincoln Cove Marina, home to a working marina that offers a closer look at Port Lincoln’s important seafood and fishing industries. To see the marina by boat and explore the canals, Fred’s Marina Canal Cruise offers fantastic local insight into the fishing industry.
Finish the day with dinner at the Marina Hotel, where the cosy enclosed outdoor dining area, complete with gas heaters, offers a comfortable spot to relax beside the water. Settle in as boats glide in and out of the harbour and watch the marina come to life as the evening unfolds.
Day Two: Wildlife and Wild Coastline
Looking for the perfect start to your day? Fuel your day with French-inspired breakfasts at L’Anse French Café. They are known for having some of the best croissants in South Australia! The little ones will love watching the pastries being made for the day through the glass window and perhaps choosing a sweet pastry to take with them.
After breakfast, head south for a day of wild coastline and winter wildlife. Make sure you pack a warm jacket and lunch. Prefer to buy lunch to take with you? Stop at TNT Café on your way out of town, with freshly made rolls, salads and snacks to take with you.
First stop is the Lincoln National Park. Take the walk up Stamford Hill to the Flinders Monument, where you can learn about the park’s history, flora, and fauna along the way. This walk takes around 40 minutes return and is a steady uphill climb, but the views across the park from the top are well worth it. Cape Donnington Lighthouse is also worth a visit. Around Donnington Beach, you may even spot sea lions coming over from nearby Donnington Island to play.
From the National Park entrance, just 5 minutes down the road is the incredible Sleaford Bay Lookout. Here you can often see dolphins in the surf and from May through to September, Southern Right Whales in the bay. Nearby, the kids can enjoy running up and sliding down the Sleaford Dunes or taking a walk through Sleaford Mere to have a look at the Stromatolites.
Choose your afternoon adventure:
Continue to Mikkira Station for a relaxed picnic among wild koalas, or save time for Whalers Way Sanctuary, a longer self-drive coastal adventure best enjoyed with several hours to explore.
Mikkira Station Koala Sanctuary is a perfect picnic spot, just 10 minutes away. This privately owned sanctuary is home to more than 200 wild koalas and is also a wonderful place for birdwatching. After lunch, wander around the property to see the old stone cottage, historic stone fencing and giant yuccas.
Whalers Way Sanctuary is another privately owned Sanctuary 20 minutes further down south from Mikkira Station. Whalers Way is a 14km rugged coastal scenery drive where you can see rockpools, caves, sinkholes, blowholes, crevasses and incredible wildlife opportunities. This scenic drive takes approximately two to three hours to explore properly, so it may be best saved for another day if daylight is limited.
Please be careful when exploring near the cliff edges, rock pools and coastal lookouts, particularly during windy weather.
After a day spent exploring the wild beauty of the Lower Eyre Peninsula, settle in for a cosy dinner with views at the Hotel Boston. Warm up beside the indoor fireplace, or book one of the outdoor igloos, complete with an electric fireplace and blankets for a snug winter dining experience.
Day Three: Country Adventures, History and Local Flavours
Start the day with breakfast at Shaen Street Motel & Cafe, a welcoming spot for families in Port Lincoln. Choose from sweet pastries, savoury breakfast options and great coffee, then settle into the shaded garden seating where little ones have room to relax while the adults enjoy a slower start to the day.
Just 20 minutes from Port Lincoln, Glen Forest Tourist Park & Vineyard is a fun-filled stop for the whole family. Kids can ride segways, play putt-putt golf, explore the maze and hand-feed friendly animals. While the little ones enjoy the activities, adults can relax with a wine tasting and take in the vineyard setting.
Looking for an activity that combines indoor and outdoor exploring? Just 30 minutes from Port Lincoln, Koppio Smithy Museum is set among the picturesque Koppio Hills and feels like stepping back into a small country township. Wander through the original 1905 blacksmith’s shop and cottage, a one-teacher schoolhouse, tailor shop, Bank of Adelaide building and the reportedly smallest post office in South Australia. There are also display sheds filled with tractors, farm machinery, stationary engines, vehicles and local history, while kids will love climbing into the plane and army tank. It is a fun, hands-on stop for families, with plenty to discover whatever the weather.
If you have not yet tried some local seafood, finish off your holiday head to The Fresh Fish Place or Fumo 28 Oyster & Seafood Bar, both offering a wide range of fresh seafoods to tantalise your tastebuds.
For a tasting experience, stop by The Port Lincoln Smokehouse for a tasting of hot and cold smoked fish, along with other locally made goods paired with fresh produce from their garden. Families can also take time to wander the property, where kids will enjoy spotting the handmade sculptures and meeting the resident emu and sheep.
Make it your own
Families can swap activities depending on the weather, children’s ages and energy levels. For a slower pace, choose one major activity each morning and one flexible afternoon stop. Ask the Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre for current opening hours, tour availability, permits and school holiday activities.