Affordable Summer Holidays: Port Lincoln

 AT’s guide to the best cheap accommodation for summer and Christmas holidays

Port Lincoln

Why do we rate it?
The self-proclaimed seafood capital has plenty more to offer holidaymakers, from pristine beaches to bush walks on the Eyre Peninsula.

Where is it?
630km from Adelaide, Port Lincoln is a 7hr 30min drive west (with a ferry ride) across Lucky Bay.

Where to stay
Right on the beach, Port Lincoln Tourist Park offers 50 cabins and camping sites spread across 30 acres. The McKechnie Springs Farmstay is 15 minutes from town and sits on 2700 acres of farmland. The quiet cottage, cabin and campgrounds are basic but away from the bustle.

How much is it?
Port Lincoln Tourist Park units are $120 a night for two adults, executive cabins are $120, basic cabins are $70 and unpowered sites are $23. The McKechnie Springs two-bedroom brick cottage is $110 a night for two but sleeps four, any extra heads are $5 per person. The cabin is $55 a night for two but sleeps three. Campsites are $20 for two people.

Availability
You can forget about Christmas and Australia Day, but book the Tourist Park for early January. Get on the phone quick to book the cottage or cabin at McKechnie Springs as they still had a couple of Christmas vacancies at the time we went to press.

What to do
On the tip of the Eyre Peninsula, Port Lincoln sits near plenty of deserted beaches and walking trails along the rugged coast. In town, there’s the Alex Stenross Maritime Museum and Lincoln Maritime Science Centre. Try and catch the tuna tossing competition during the Tunarama Festival, January 21 to 26, or get up close and personal on a tuna swimming charter. The really brave can try cage-diving tours with great white sharks or snorkelling with sea lions.

Contact
Port Lincoln Tourist Park //
cnr New West Rd & Oxford Terr.
(08) 8621 4444; saringroup.com.au

McKechnie Springs Farmstay //
1905 McFarlane Rd.
(08) 8684 5057; enneking.net