Experience Coffin Bay

Experiencing Coffin Bay isn’t just an activity, it’s an adventure. The opportunity to not only eat an iconic Coffin Bay oyster, but to dip your feet into the pristine waters and watch the oysters be shucked. Onboard the Experience Coffin Bay cruise you’ll be taught the history of Coffin Bay’s oyster industry. While aboard the cruise you’ll see more than just oysters, as the trip explores the sea-lion hotspot Brothers Island, and waterways that are often visited by playful pods of dolphins.

Workshop26

A collection of shipping containers in an abandoned garage in Kimba forms the home of Kimba’s creative quarter, where arts, wares, foods, flowers, and other creative expressions come together. The retail outlet came to be thanks to a group of local women who knew that diversification would create an unforgettable destination. Grab their barista-made coffee and explore the not-for-profit – you might just find the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one – to take home with you.

Coodlie Park Eco Retreat

Krystina Coucopoulos and her husband Paul Harpas own and manage this spectacular, sprawling property just off the Flinders Highway at Talia, where visitors can stay and stargaze in the Eyre Peninsula’s number one dark sky destination. There’s a guided night sky tour and nocturnal wildlife tour. Stay in the self-contained eco-cottages, or commit to sleeping under the stars at Camp Coodlie’s off-grid bush camping ground.

Fishery Bay Surf Reserve

At The Fishery Bay Surf Reserve near Port Lincoln, nature, community and history intersect to create something truly beautiful. The national surf reserve is a beautiful beach home to both First Nations and surfing history. As you take to the waves you’ll be riding in the same historic place as Surf Life Saving Competitions more than 70 years ago. If catching waves isn’t exactly your style, the reserve is often home to one-of-a-kind events, movie nights, and markets that bring together the local community on the pristine beaches.

Mikkira Station

Get up close and sleep next to a koala at the Mikkira Station Koala Sanctuary at Sleaford. The station is the only koala colony near Port Lincoln that provides visitors the freedom to camp alongside the cute creatures. If you’re after some structure in your plans, a supervised tour by owner Helen de la Perrelle is the perfect way for you to see the sleepy marsupials while witnessing the area’s historic ruins.

Untamed Escapes whale watching

See up to 120 whales across a multi-day whale watching tour with untamed escapes. Along the journey, you’ll travel South Australian coasts and uncover the rich environments offered by the Nullarbor region. During your adventure you’ll be served world-class seafood, breathtaking wildlife, astounding natural landscapes, and of course unparalleled experiences.

Franklin Harbour Historical Museum

The Franklin Harbour Historical Museum at Cowell is nearly as old as its exhibits, built in 1888 originally as a post office. The museum’s memorabilia date back to the 19^th century, putting it in perspective how far we’ve come. From Aboriginal artefacts to agricultural objects, witnessing the historic photos, documents, and items on display will show you how the quaint area has become the agricultural region is it today.

Calypso Star Charters

If you’re struggling to decide between an adrenaline rush and a laid-back time, why not do both and give Calypso Star Charters a go? They offer two different opportunities for those making their way through Port Lincoln. Take the plunge and cage dive with great white sharks, or kick back and swim with sea lions. As an Advanced Eco Certified Climate Action Leader, Calypso Star Charters’ offerings remain sustainable, allowing you to see ‘the puppy dogs of the sea’.

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Port Lincoln Railway Museum

The Port Lincoln Railway Museum’s exhibits date back more than 100 years – when the first railway in the area was constructed. Run by the Eyre Peninsula Railway Preservation Society, the museum showcases Port Lincoln’s rich charm. Make your way through the exhibitions and witness workshops full of historic equipment or sit down at the theatrette and watch a presentation. If you head to the sheds, you will discover the different railway cars that played a part in linking Port Lincoln with the rest of the world.

The Baird Bay Experience

The Baird Bay Experience takes you on a voyage across the ocean to swim alongside dolphins and sea lions in pristine waters. This aquatic adventure is limited to groups of 20 people aboard the monohull tour boat for you to truly engage with these wonderful creatures, while still staying respectful of their home. With 25 years of experience, Brendon Bevan guides your encounter alongside the marine ecosystems. Once finished, the custom-built boat delivers you to refreshing warm showers where you’re greeted with regionally-inspired lunch and refreshments designed by head chef Calvin Von Niebel.

Places to eat

Port Lincoln Smokehouse

The family-operated Port Lincoln Smokehouse encapsulates the regional atmosphere of the Eyre Peninsula. The Port Lincoln area is known for its seafood, and the Port Lincoln Smokehouse embraces this. The restaurant’s range of handcrafted seafood dishes can be experienced via their tasting platter. Don’t be fooled, as their Feed Me menu represents the diversity of Port Lincoln, varying from hot and cold wood smoked Bluefin Tuna to smoked duck breast and seafood pies.

Sarin’s Restaurant

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A table for every occasion can be found at Sarin’s Restaurant. The establishment offers a wide range of premium wine, well-crafted seafood cuisine, diverse platters, and delectable deserts. Located at the Port Lincoln Hotel, Sarin’s is draped in style, sporting royal teal walls and beautiful light fixtures. If a coastal backdrop is more your style, the outdoor Bayside is where you can grab a drink and explore your culinary cravings with an ocean view.

Drift

Next to the jetty and overlooking Streaky Bay you’ll find the charming Drift Cafe. Over the last four years, the cafe has matched its quaint community in its atmosphere and energy. Dining in at the beachside restaurant will greet you with wonderful views of the bay and all that occurs alongside. Chat with the locals, watch the waters, or relax, sit back and give in to divine cuisine as the sea shimmers right in front of your eyes.

The Fresh Fish Place Eatery

The Fresh Fish Place Eatery knows seafood. Beginning as fishermen and tuna polers in the 1980s, owners Sandy and Craig have the experience and the knowledge of the region to find the best seafood for the tastiest meals. It’s for this reason that Port Lincoln’s seafood centre is more than just a restaurant. Taking a stroll through The Fresh Fish Place will delight you with wonderful ocean-based condiments, ingredients, art, and recipes to take home.

Hotel Boston

The nearly 100-year-old Hotel Boston offers a cosy dining experience. Fitting up to eight people per table, the establishment offers dining igloos which shield off your group and give you fireplaces, blankets, and speakers to make your eating environment comfortable to your liking. Hotel Boston’s Hooked and Hunted restaurant is sourced by local farmers in the Eyre Peninsula, providing a mix of fresh local seafood you don’t get back home, as well as your pub favourites.

Elliot’s Bakery

Elliot’s Bakery is classic. Being in business for more than 20 years, the pastry shop has strong ties to its community, and knows what they want. Freshly baked golden flaky pies, rolls, and sandwiches are a standard even when travelling through the Eyre Peninsula. The family-owned bakery and cafe is a quaint spot to take a breather and grab coffee and a snack for the road.

Pizza4Shore

Beginning in Fowlers Bay out of necessity due to the covid-19 pandemic, Pizza4Shore then moved to Ceduna, filling not only a niche, but a demand for traditional wood fired pizza. In the time since, Pizza4Shore has expanded into Smoky Bay, providing you double the chances to grab a classic pizza made from fermented dough and locally sourced ingredients. Didn’t catch them before closing? The small business has a vending machine in Ceduna Oyster Barn which offer 24/7 access to their quality pizza.

Oyster Barn

Beginning over 25 years ago, the Hoffrichter Family would sell sacks of Oysters by their farm gate. In the time since, Oyster Barn has shifted its offerings and its operators. Becoming a passion project for their new owners, the restaurant’s weekly specials are a creative blend of local, cultural, and craftsmanship. Facing the ocean at Ceduna, the seafood restaurant’s rooftop dining provides a stunning coastal view which cannot be seen only driving past.

Del Giorno’s Cafe Restaurant

With more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Kris and Brenda Bunder purchased Del Giorno’s Cafe Restaurant in 2004. Since then, the two have established it as a multi-award-winning restaurant with the largest range of local seafood sourced from the Eyre Peninsula. The Bunders are committed to the region, participating in local charity efforts and actively volunteering within their community to support Port Lincoln. This commitment can be tasted in Del Giorno’s cuisine as you are given the choice of more than 100 varied dishes with a strong modern Australian flair and a focus on local produce.

5 ways to spoil yourself

Yarnbala

Discover a hidden sanctuary at Coffin Bay, with sustainable, exclusive experiences to immerse yourself in the natural world. Yarnbala offers a variety of bespoke experiences from nature walks exploring the foods and practices of First Nations peoples to birdwatching tours in one of South Australia’s most ecologically intact habitats. You could spend an evening around the fire accompanied by live music and wood-fired pizza or gather round for their new offering, a night of stargazing and sacred stories from Wirangu woman Susan Betts. This slice of bushland is shared by the Slater family to impart their guiding principle of care – for the land, the wildlife and the community.

Coomunga Wines

Visit a boutique winery dedicated to sustainable practices situated along the eastern tributary of the Big Swamp wetland. That location gives Coomunga Wines a beautiful view of dozens of species of waterbirds that you can admire while you taste their range of red, white and rosé wines. Their renewable practices lead to vines that are chemical free, hand-pruned and hand-picked – qualities you can taste in every vintage. The winery is run by Peter and Barbie Clutterbuck, a couple with a community-driven, holistic approach to winemaking and viticulture.

Oyster Deck Experience

Immerse your senses in a scenic food and nature tour with the Oyster Deck Experience from SA Premium Oysters. The experience takes place on Australia’s only ocean deck, offering scenic ocean views and even the occasional visit from an inquisitive pod of dolphins. Get transported to the deck by an oyster barge and try premium oysters straight from the bay in which they grow, right in the heart of the oyster capital of Australia. What’s more, you can pair these singularly fresh oysters with a glass (or two) of gin or wine from local distilleries and wineries.

Lincoln Estate Wines

There are plenty of ways to treat yourself at Lincoln Estate Wines, whose vineyard surrounds the picturesque Glen Forest Tourist Park. The winery boasts a new cellar door and a wine deck overlooking the grape vines from which you can sample their red and white vintages, from the Blacklip Shiraz to the Sashimi Sauvignon Blanc. For the family, you can hand feed the koalas and kangaroos that call the park home, or step into their bird aviary. For those who are after a hit of adrenaline, you can even explore the vineyard on segways.

Boston Bay Collective

If you’re looking to pamper yourself, stop off at the Boston Bay Collective, a wholesale hub featuring the products of more than 60 businesses from across the region. Grab a block of milk chocolate-coated honeycomb crafted right in Port Lincoln with Eyre Peninsula honey and the finest Belgian chocolate, or a luxurious, nourishing hand and body lotion in four signature scents. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, Boston Bay Collective offers a variety of gourmet gift boxes showcasing fabulous products from the region, featuring candles, perfume, homewares, and much more.

5 places to stay

Eyre Way

Tuck yourself away in Sleaford Bay in one of Eyre Way’s tiny abodes and be immersed in the spectacular Eyre Peninsula. The pods are architecturally-designed with the planet in mind to feature minimalist, off-grid luxury. There are three abodes to choose from, including the new Bandari cabin, which offers guests tranquil seclusion and a stunning view of the ocean near Port Lincoln National Park. Eyre Way’s founders Amanda and Tim designed the tiny cabins with eco-sustainability front of mind, allowing you to enjoy the region’s natural wonders with a minimal footprint.

Tanonga

Take a moment to discover your own slice of wildlife paradise at Tanonga, an eco retreat located just 20 minutes from Port Lincoln. The property boasts native woodlands of sheoak grass and sugar gum and an abundance of natural wildlife, with two luxurious self-contained eco-lodges from which to enjoy them. Guests can select between the Ridge, a lodge perched high on a hilltop with 360-degree views and a spectacular sight of the sea, and the Valley, nestled into the park with magnificent bush views right at its doorstep. No matter which you choose, you’ll be sure to experience exuberant luxury and indulgent privacy on a beautiful patch of the Eyre Peninsula.

South Point Beach House

Whether you’re looking for a family trip, a couple’s getaway or travelling for business, you’ll find all the comforts you’ll need at the South Point Beach House. Featuring four bedrooms and two bathrooms, the house easily accommodates up to eight guests, boasting a large deck and barbecue area, two lounge and living areas and kitchen (with optional private chef). The luxurious property looks out to Boston Island off Port Lincoln and sits right in front of a beautiful, safe swimming beach. The house is well situated no matter what your plans are, being a short walk from the Marina Hotel restaurant and boardwalk and right nearby the departure points for Port Lincoln’s celebrated adventure tours.

The Greenly Carriage

The Greenly Carriage started life as a train carriage, and has now been reimagined as a boutique, sustainable destination to bring some vintage colour to your trip. The rustic cabin boasts textured wooden board panelling and beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows that blur the lines between the outdoors and the in. The Carriage was designed with up-cycling in mind and is filled with hand-collected vintage furnishings. It offers the closest accommodation to the striking Greenly Rock Pools, and scenic drives to Coffin Bay and Port Lincoln. Nestled in the bush for supreme solitude, the space offers breathtaking views of the bush and the ocean.

Almonta Park Lodge

Spacious accommodation and supreme comfort are on offer at Almonta Park Lodge, all a stone’s throw away from Coffin Bay. Established in 2005, the home provides amazing panoramic views spanning from the Marble Range to the sand hills of Coffin Bay National Park. The expansive home can accommodate up to 10 guests and is comprised of two wings around a grand central living room, complete with a huge open fire on a stone pedestal in the centre of the room. It’s close enough to Coffin Bay to experience all the town has to offer, from tasting fresh oysters to exploring pristine beaches, while still offering the seclusion necessary for a peaceful, private stay.

5 places for coffee

L’Anse French Cafe & Croissanterie

Try the croissant voted best in South Australia – pick up to-go or sit down for fine dining, delicious coffee and authentic French-style pastries. The cafe is brought to life by its founders Marvin and Grace Lattrez, who launched the business in Tumby Bay, and then moved it to Port Lincoln in 2022, giving them the space to produce their hand-made pastries and intricate dishes. You can watch them work their magic through their great glass wall that gives diners an uninhibited view of the pastry kitchen.

Eyre Roasted

Slated to open their very own cafe by the end of 2025, Eyre Roasted is currently roasting beans for retail and homes. Their beans have been on show via the Eyre Roasted coffee cart, but the business is set to have its very own space open to the public on New West Road in Port Lincoln. At any given time, the roastery might be heating up the 4 Bean Blend, the Top Notch single origin bean or the single origin Guatemala SHB Cooperativa Todosanterita.

The Rogue & Rascal

The Rogue & Rascal goes with the flow, offering a seasonal menu that features fresh produce year-round. With meat-based dishes as well as vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, there is something for everyone. Sit down in the cafe and admire the gallery filled with work by local artists over a locally-roasted coffee and meal, or grab a sweet treat to-go as you wander down the Port Lincoln Town Jetty right across the road.

Funk’d Coffee & Flowers

Take a break from the Flinders Highway and stop at Streaky Bay. There, you’ll find Funk’d Coffee and Flowers. Order delicious takeaway coffee brewed hot to go from their website or settle down in a window seat for a tasty ciabatta, eggs your way or a delectable double choc muffin. Established by Marni Castley in 2022 with an aim to keep things simple and delicious, Funk’d Coffee and Flowers sells fresh food and coffee daily and caters to all dietary requirements. The friendly service will make you glad you pulled over in Streaky Bay.

The Mint Bush Gallery Cafe

Come to relax with a coffee and a view at The Mint Bush Gallery Cafe. From perfectly-brewed coffees and teas to freshly-squeezed juices, you can quench your thirst in any way you like, and pair your drink with a fresh pie or decadent donut. While you wait, stroll through the gallery that the cafe sits inside, packed with art from the local community, then take a step out the door to breathe in the Ceduna foreshore. By the time you’re done, your thirst for good views – and good coffee – will be quenched.

This article first appeared in the 2025 issue of SALIFE Food+Wine+Travel magazine.