Situated at the southern end of the Eyre Peninsula is the ruggedly beautiful Lincoln National Park complete with sheltered bays, granite headlands and picture-perfect offshore islands. This amazing national park is so rich in history and spectacular scenery, that just a week here will leave you wanting more. And did we mention it’s also home to an amazing four wheel drive track that makes it way through wind sculptured sand dunes?
Camping at Lincoln National Park is certainly the way to appreciate the beauty of this diverse park. There is a mixture of campsites available, some have drop hole toilets and the sites are level and marked out, whilst others are 4wd access only bush camps. We chose to camp at Spalding Cove, one of the 4wd only access camps and it was just magical. We enjoyed five days of pure paradise here, crystal clear blue water, white sandy beaches and a sheltered campsite. Launching the tinny from the beach we also spent many hours out on the sheltered waters of the cove.
The scenery in the park is something to behold, driving into the park you greeted with low-level saltbush which quite quickly changes to breathtaking views over the pristine bays and larger greener foliage. And if you are after an even better view, a walk up to Mathew Flinders Monument at Stamford Hill will certainly take your breath away with a spectacular view over Port Lincoln, the park itself and Boston Bay (the largest natural harbour in Australia). The walking trail traces the steps taken by Flinders and his crew back on a hot February day in 1802 whilst they searched for fresh water. There are many other walking trails within the park to suit all levels of fitness and ability.
Memory Cove Wilderness Area located within the park is a secluded pristine bay with limited access to only 15 vehicles per day. The wilderness protection area provides refuge for rare flora and fauna and the beach camping at Memory Cove is considered one of the most beautiful beach camps in Australia. And if you like your lighthouses, Cape Donington Lighthouse holds prime position at Cape Donington with views to be quite envious of. Of course being surrounded by water you can’t help but want to wet a line and catch yourself an awesome feed of fresh fish. The southern side of the park is an excellent spot for catching salmon in the surf, and whiting is also a common catch at Lincoln National Park. If you can find some razor fish it makes the best whiting bait, they absolutely love it! The southern side of the park is also home to the Sleaford-Wanna four wheel drive track, one of the best sand dune tracks in the state according to locals. We approached the track at the Sleaford end, where we were greeted by a monstrous sand dune, and from here on we knew we were in for a wild and woolly drive. Be sure to let the tyre pressure down to around 16psi to give you extra grip in the soft sand, and also remember not to take the corners too sharply in the sand. Having a pair of Max Tracks on hand will also ensure you’ll come out the other end, because if you get stuck in these dunes there isn’t much to winch off of! The track is marked out only by wooden poles with red tops which are quite tricky to spot at times, so having the passenger on watch for these makes it easier to navigate your way through the dunes. Popping out quite regularly to views over the ocean makes this one spectacular track!
If you’re after an amazing place to sit, relax and unwind or maybe try the challenge of completing an awesome four wheel drive sand track or landing an Australian Salmon from the shore, Lincoln National Park is definitely the place for you!
The Sleaford-Wanna Track is definitely a picturesque track!
Where: Lincoln National Park is located on the Jussieu Peninsula on the south-eastern tip of Eyre Peninsula South Australia, 13km south-west or Port Lincoln, via proper Bay Rd.
For more information head to Lincoln National Park