5 treasures in South Australia’s Lincoln National Park

Surrounded by some of the most attractive coastline in South Australia, Lincoln National Park on the Eyre Peninsula boasts breathtaking views and pristine beaches that need to be seen to be believed.

Learn about the park’s rich history, take a hike, watch for wildlife or cast your rod – there truly is something here for everyone.

1. Stamford Hill Hike

Not for the faint-hearted, the trek up Stamford Hill is short but steep. It’s about 2.7 kilometres and should take you roughly one and a half hours to get there and back.

If you need to catch your breath, stop at the interpretive signs along the trail and learn about the area’s history.

Reward yourself once you reach the top with a picnic lunch and panoramic views of Proper and Boston Bay, Port Lincoln and Lincoln National Park.

Don’t forget to check out the historic Flinders Monument while you’re there – it was erected in memory of Matthew Flinders who surveyed the Eyre Peninsula coastline in 1802.

If you’re feeling energetic, continue along on the 5.7 km loop walk which takes you down the opposite side of Stamford Hill. Admire the views across the bay and continue the walk back along the coastline to the Stamford Hill picnic area and carpark.

2. Sleaford to Wanna 4WD Track

The Sleaford to Wanna 4WD track offers some of the best sand dune driving experiences on the Eyre Peninsula.

Follow the red marker posts and be rewarded with scenery of massive wind sculptured sand dunes, pounding surf and rugged limestone cliffs along the Southern Ocean, with great views over the Sleaford Bay Sanctuary Zone, in the Thorny Passage Marine Park.

Drop a line in from the shore at Millers Hole or the Salmon Hole and see if you can bring in an Australian salmon.

You could spend a few hours traversing the 14km track, or spend the day out there catching a fish or having a picnic on the beach.

Bird watchers should bring their binoculars – there are great opportunities to see white-bellied sea eagles, osprey, and various species of wrens, parrots or the elusive western whipbird.

Keep an eye on the water below for long-nosed fur seals, Australian sea lions and large schools of salmon with birds feeding and the occasional shark following closely behind.

3. September Beach

September Beach, located on the Donington Peninsula on the north-eastern tip of the park, is a beautiful sandy beach and a great location to spot a pod of dolphins swimming by.

You might also like to head to the rocks where you might find some cool little critters that call the intertidal zone home.

Have a picnic under one of the shelters and enjoy the local wildlife around you – a sleepy lizard might be out and about, or a western grey kangaroo or some emus.

Stay the night at one of the many campsites or you could try one of the new glamping sites run by Kata and Belle.

4. MacLaren Point

This secluded rocky headland, situated in the north-eastern area of the park, is accessible only by four-wheel drive.

Follow the main sealed road when you enter the park and head north-east, turning off at the MacLaren’s Point sign onto the unsealed track.

The campground at the end of the 4-kilometre track is the perfect spot to pitch your tent for a true bush camping experience. You can expect the beach here to be small but pristine.

Don’t forget to bring your fishing rod as tommy ruffs, mullet and small salmon can be caught from the beach and squid from the headlands, thanks to the deep water.

Endangered hooded plovers can be spotted on the beaches nearby, along with the occasional white-bellied sea eagle, dolphins and seals swimming past.

This side of the coast has some of the prettiest coastal bushwalking trails, especially in spring when the wildflowers are out.

5. Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area

A magnificent and secluded bay with a pure white sandy beach, Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area is cradled between densely vegetated headlands.

Sleepy Memory Cove Beach was thrown into the limelight a few years ago when it was voted as one of the top 10 beaches in the world by the Guardian newspaper. But don’t be dismayed, it still has all of its wilderness charm.

Accessible only by a gate key from the Port Lincoln Visitor Centre, this area is limited to 15 vehicles a day and provides a unique camping or day-visit experience in the wilderness.

During the 4WD trip along the track, watch out for wildlife foraging afield and take in the magnificent views of the coastline and offshore islands in the area.

If you’re visiting in winter keep an eye out for southern right whales that move through the offshore waters adjacent the park.

Park of the Month:

Throughout April, National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia are celebrating Lower Eyre Peninsula Parks. A range of activities are on offer, including snorkeling tours, ranger-guided kayaking and a free movie screening.

Visit parks.sa.gov.au/get-inspired/park-of-the-month for full details.

Love Lincoln National Park? You might like to hear the top tips as recommended by park ranger Elly Schultz.