Wildlife & Nature
Where the Wild Things Are
The best wildlife & nature in Port Lincoln
Swim with sea lions and dolphins at Baird Bay, watch Australia's largest mainland sea lion colony haul out at Point Labatt, spot wild koalas at Mikkira Station and dive into the world's only mass cuttlefish aggregation at Whyalla. The Eyre Peninsula is one of the great wildlife encounters in Australia.
The Eyre Peninsula is one of the best places in Australia to get genuinely close to wild animals. Off Port Lincoln you can swim with wild sea lions and dolphins, dive in a cage alongside great white sharks, or watch tuna and giant cuttlefish in their natural habitat - the Whyalla cuttlefish aggregation is a globally significant winter spectacle.
On land, the parks teem with life. Emus and kangaroos graze the Gawler Ranges, ospreys and sea eagles nest along the cliffs, and rare southern hairy-nosed wombats burrow inland. At Point Labatt, one of Australia's only mainland Australian sea lion colonies lounges on the rocks below the lookout, while the Head of Bight hosts southern right whales between roughly May and October.
Much of this wildlife is protected within national and conservation parks, so come prepared and keep a respectful distance. Combine sightings with the region's walking trails and beaches for days that move easily between encounters. Winter is prime for whales and cuttlefish; summer suits sea lions and seabirds.
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12 places
Australian Coastal Safaris
Guided Adventures Across the Peninsula
A local tour operator running guided four-wheel-drive, wildlife, seafood and fishing experiences across the southern Eyre Peninsula.
Boston Bay
Australia's Biggest Natural Harbour
The vast, sheltered bay that Port Lincoln is built on - more than three times the size of Sydney Harbour and the home of the tuna fleet.
Cape Donington Lighthouse
A historic lighthouse at the tip of Lincoln National Park, looking out over Spilsby Island and the entrance to Boston Bay.
Fishery Bay Lookout
A clifftop vantage over the wild surf and pale sand of Fishery Bay, south of Port Lincoln.
Glen-Forest Tourist Park
Animals, Slides & Family Fun
A family-friendly wildlife and activity park near Port Lincoln, combining hand-feeding native animals with water slides, mini golf and more.
Lincoln National Park
Headlands, Bays & Memory Cove
A rugged coastal park just south of Port Lincoln, with sheltered swimming bays, dramatic headlands and the protected Memory Cove Wilderness.
Memory Cove
A Wilderness Named in Grief
A pristine white-sand cove in a strictly protected wilderness area, named by Matthew Flinders for the crew he lost here in 1802.
Mikkira Station
Wild Koalas Under the Manna Gums
A historic sheep station where wild koalas doze in the manna gums - one of the few places on the Eyre Peninsula to see them in the wild.
Parnkalla Trail
Boston Bay, one footstep at a time
A shoreline walking trail tracing the curve of Boston Bay through Port Lincoln - first landing site, beaches, marina and headlands, with the city never far away.
Stamford Hill Lookout
A summit walk in Lincoln National Park to a Flinders monument, with 360-degree views over Boston Bay and the islands.
Wanna Dunes
A vast field of white dunes tumbling to a wild surf beach in the south of Lincoln National Park.
Whalers Way
Granite Cliffs at the End of the Earth
A privately owned stretch of spectacular, untamed coastline at the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, accessed by permit.
Wildlife & Nature in Eyre Peninsula - frequently asked questions
What wildlife is the Eyre Peninsula known for?
The Eyre Peninsula is one of Australia's best regions for genuine wild animal encounters. Highlights include swimming with wild Australian sea lions and dolphins at Baird Bay, watching the country's largest mainland sea lion colony at Point Labatt, spotting wild koalas at Mikkira Station near Port Lincoln, snorkelling the world's only mass cuttlefish aggregation at Whyalla, and great white shark cage diving at the Neptune Islands.
Can you really swim with wild sea lions and dolphins on the Eyre Peninsula?
Yes. Baird Bay Ocean Eco Experience, in a small fishing village between Streaky Bay and Port Lincoln, is one of the only places in Australia where you can swim with both wild Australian sea lions and bottlenose dolphins on the same tour. Tours run small groups in the sheltered bay and operate seasonally during the warmer months, so booking ahead is essential.
Where can I see sea lions for free on the Eyre Peninsula?
Point Labatt Conservation Park, about 39km south of Streaky Bay, is home to the largest permanent breeding colony of Australian sea lions on the mainland. A free clifftop viewing platform sits roughly 50 metres above the beach where you can watch the colony year-round, so bring binoculars or a zoom lens for the best view. Access to the beach below is not permitted in order to protect the animals.
When is the best time to snorkel with the giant cuttlefish at Whyalla?
The giant Australian cuttlefish aggregation at Whyalla runs each year from about May to August, with peak numbers typically in June and July. Tens of thousands gather in shallow water from around one to six metres deep near Stony Point, making it accessible to both snorkellers and scuba divers. Water temperatures are cold in winter, so a good wetsuit is essential, and guided tours and gear hire are available locally.
Can you see wild koalas on the Eyre Peninsula, and do you need to book?
Yes. Mikkira Station, a private property around 25km south of Port Lincoln, has wild koalas living in its old manna gum trees alongside roaming kangaroos and emus. Self-drive day visits are generally available in the cooler months for a per-vehicle entry fee, with a permit purchased in Port Lincoln, and guided tours run year-round. Dogs are not permitted on the property in order to protect the koalas.