Port Lincoln is a destination that surprises on every visit. The local, fresh seafood is sublime as are many of the places you can find to indulge in perfectly prepared dishes featuring it. If you’re looking to show visitors some of the best of South Australia, you’d be hard pressed to beat these suggestions.

The Port Lincoln marina is the place to head to, where you can drive past the many tuna and prawn fishing boats and sometimes see the catches being unloaded. Continue around to the Marina Hotel for even more eye boggling waterfront views overlooking the docked charter and pleasure boats.

There’s indoor or outdoor dining and the bistro menu features modern Australian cuisine heavily influenced by the beautiful seafood that’s abundant on Eyre Peninsula. This seafood lover’s heaven includes mussels, prawns, calamari, oysters, octopus, kingfish, and tuna on the menu, cooked or prepared to perfection.

The choices are many with everything from natural oysters, sashimi tuna, and mussel hotpot, through to Thai salad and steak dishes and other high quality pub food. Unlike the million dollar views though, the exceptional food is really affordable so you can indulge and dream of living like the other half for a while.

Another spot to indulge in some decadent seafood and fine wines is at Peter Teakle Wines. The stunning cellar door is truly beautiful in design. The building resembles a trio of curved timber barrels, which from the inside gives the impression of being inside a cloud looking out over the vineyard and big sky beyond.

The impressions just keep on improving when you partake in a guided wine tasting with a charcuterie or cheese platter created at the onsite restaurant, Line & Label. A scarlet and ivory tasting will set you back $15 per head and enables you to sample red and white wine varieties and the Eyre Peninsula charcuterie board which serves four, costs $60.

It’s a pretty special way to spend an hour or two with a personalised tasting and friendly service from the knowledgeable staff, as we had with Matilda, on the day of our visit. The charcuterie board absolutely enhances the experience with a selection of cured meats, smoked seafood, pickled vegetables and cheeses, including a decadent truffle cheese.

For a funky new venue, pay a visit to West Coast Distilling Co. You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a hipster bar/café in Melbourne but this gin distillery, bar and event space is proudly local. The small batch gins use locally sourced botanicals and events are regularly held for locals and visitors to have fun with things like trivia and bingo nights hosted.

The family operated distillery has a friendly, vibrant vibe from the minute you step inside the decommissioned fire station building. Chuck is the friendly face behind the bar (and owner) and he’ll happily serve you up a coffee or cocktail and everything in between.

The décor is comfy, cool and just a little bit quirky. It’s a fun space where you can really settle in for a session too easily. They also have THE best bathrooms I think I’ve ever seen. Seriously, the wallpapers have to be seen to be believed, totally amazing. Go for the gins, snack on toasties or dumplings, and buy one of the very arty gin bottles to take home.

The only thing brighter than the wallpaper at the distillery is the colour burst at sunrise, you may be lucky to experience on the waterfront at the Port Lincoln Tourist Park. This picturesque caravan park gives everyone a space with a view, with tiered sites that overlook the water and Boston Island.

Early mornings and evenings see a procession of fishing boats as they make their way out to Spencer Gulf, and the park even has its own jetty if you’d prefer to catch your own. Facilities at the park are excellent too with fish cleaning facilities, a camp kitchen with huge indoor dining and lounge space, a pool, and a playground for the kids. While you’re there, go searching for some pretty cool artworks around the park.

Before you leave Port Lincoln be sure to stop in at The Fresh Fish Place, for everything seafood. You can buy fresh or frozen to take away and cook for yourself, or pick up some gourmet jar and canned seafood or even dine in for some mouth-watering fish and chips.

There’s so much more to explore in Port Lincoln, which gives the perfect excuse to plan another visit.

Port Lincoln, the seafood capital of Australia, is around 650 kilometres, about a 7 hours’ drive from Adelaide, but the scenic drive is worth every kilometre, and there’s a whole lot of friendly coastal towns to stop in and break up the journey along the way.

West Coast Distilling Co. can be found at 108 Railway Terrace, Port Lincoln.

Port Lincoln Tourist Park is situated at 11 Hindmarsh Street.

Peter Teakle Wines cellar door is at 31 Whillas Road.

The Marina Hotel is at 13 Jubilee Drive.

The Fresh Fish Place can be found at 20 Proper Bay Road.

Happy travels and enjoy the seafood!

Glenys