The MFV Tacoma, moored in Port Lincoln, South Australia, is a fully restored 1950s tuna poling boat cared for by the volunteers of the Tacoma Preservation Society. Officially registered as a historic vessel with the Australian National Maritime Museum, she offers maritime enthusiasts, families, eco-advocates and fishers a rare chance to step back in time and experience the golden era of Australia’s tuna industry.
From short bay cruises in Boston Bay to multi-day tuna poling adventures offshore, Tacoma’s voyages are unforgettable. Visitors can join the famous tuna poling trips (3–5 days) hauling in Southern Bluefin Tuna the old-fashioned way—with bamboo pole and metal lure. Tacoma has sailed to festivals including the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival and Port Fairy, and regularly visited remote locations like the Investigator Group in the Great Australian Bight.
Closer to home, highlights include the annual wool pick-up at Taylor Island, serving as a mothership for tuna competitions, and hosting back-deck seafood experiences for cruise ship guests. At her Port Lincoln berth in the marina, Tacoma becomes a floating museum where guided tours narrate her story and the rise of the tuna and prawn industries. Set against the backdrop of Port Lincoln’s working waterfront, a visit to Tacoma is easily combined with the region’s renowned seafood culture, national parks, pristine coastlines and wildlife encounters. Step aboard Tacoma—where history, adventure and seafood meet.
