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Australia🇦🇺 | national parksLincoln National ParkStamford Hill, Memory Cove, Southern Ocean cliffs, Eyre Peninsula tip | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Lincoln
👌 Worth visitingnational park ranked #20
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 15, 2026

Lincoln National Park is not a wilderness of empty bush; it sits on the tip of the Eyre Peninsula, a short drive south of Port Lincoln in South Australia, Australia, and most visitors treat it as a quick lookout stop. Budget a full day, or the dirt roads and sandy tracks will punish a rushed plan. I still hear the dry rattle of she-oak needles and the thump of surf at Stamford Hill. Fuel up in town, carry water, skip it if you need crowds or nightlife. Hikers and wildlife fans will love it.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #20 national park in AustraliaWhy visitors keep coming back

Backpackers come for coastal walking without a tour group. The park sits just outside Port Lincoln, so you can base a self-driven or cycling day around your own pace, with trails that stay quiet outside school holidays. Beaches like Memory Cove and Fishery Bay give you surf, rock pools and empty sand, and emus, kangaroos and sea eagles show up without a guide. If you like choosing your own turnoffs and stopping when a view demands it, this park suits you far better than a packaged excursion.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Stamford Hill: A short climb to a granite summit with a memorial to explorer Matthew Flinders and wide views over Port Lincoln and Boston Bay.
  2. Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area: A remote, sheltered cove reached through a limited-entry gate system, with calm turquoise water and a strong sense of isolation.
  3. Fishery Bay: A rocky bay popular with surfers, with clear rock pools and coastal cliffs nearby.
  4. Sleaford Mere access to the coast: Salt-edged lagoon landscapes that attract waterbirds and show a different side of the peninsula.
  5. Wanna Beach and Surfers Beach: Long stretches of white sand with surf and plenty of room to wander alone.
  6. Wildlife watching: Western grey kangaroos, emus and sea eagles are regularly seen along the tracks and clifftops.
  7. Coastal cliff lookouts: Wind-carved limestone
… read more 👉
  1. Stamford Hill: A short climb to a granite summit with a memorial to explorer Matthew Flinders and wide views over Port Lincoln and Boston Bay.
  2. Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area: A remote, sheltered cove reached through a limited-entry gate system, with calm turquoise water and a strong sense of isolation.
  3. Fishery Bay: A rocky bay popular with surfers, with clear rock pools and coastal cliffs nearby.
  4. Sleaford Mere access to the coast: Salt-edged lagoon landscapes that attract waterbirds and show a different side of the peninsula.
  5. Wanna Beach and Surfers Beach: Long stretches of white sand with surf and plenty of room to wander alone.
  6. Wildlife watching: Western grey kangaroos, emus and sea eagles are regularly seen along the tracks and clifftops.
  7. Coastal cliff lookouts: Wind-carved limestone and granite headlands open onto the Southern Ocean, with whales passing in winter.
For a first visit, climb Stamford Hill, since it is quick, easy and gives you the layout of the whole coast.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Lincoln National Park

Experience Coffin Bay Oyster Farm and Bay Tour

Experience Coffin Bay Oyster Farm and Bay Tour

4.9(169) 3h
From €123
per personViator
Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Wading Tour & Tasting Experience

Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Wading Tour & Tasting Experience

4.9(161) 1h 30m
From €47
per personViator
Coffin Bay Day Tour - A Taste of Coffin Bay

Coffin Bay Day Tour - A Taste of Coffin Bay

4.9(84) 8h
From €163
per personViator
Experience Coffin Bay Short and Sweet Oyster Farm Tour

Experience Coffin Bay Short and Sweet Oyster Farm Tour

4.9(58) 1h 30m
From €60
per personViator
Sunset on the Sand Dunes

Sunset on the Sand Dunes

5.0(33) 3h 30m
From €100
per personViator
Coffin Bay National Park Half-day 4WD Tour

Coffin Bay National Park Half-day 4WD Tour

5.0(28) 4h
From €100
per personViator
Port Lincoln Mikkira Station Wild Koala Safari Tour

Port Lincoln Mikkira Station Wild Koala Safari Tour

5.0(12) 3h 30m
From €100
per personViator
Electric Mountain Bikes Rental in Port Lincoln

Electric Mountain Bikes Rental in Port Lincoln

5.0(11)
From €53
per personViator
Oyster Farm Tour with Hotel Pick-up and return from Port Lincoln

Oyster Farm Tour with Hotel Pick-up and return from Port Lincoln

4.8(12) 4h
From €88
per personViator
Port Lincoln Full-day Exploration Tour

Port Lincoln Full-day Exploration Tour

5.0(10) 8h
From €192
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

Spring (September to November) is the strongest window for Lincoln National Park, with wildflowers out and days of 17 to 23°C (63 to 73°F).
  • Spring: Mild weather, wildflowers, and southern right whales sometimes spotted offshore from the cliffs.
  • Summer (December to February): 25 to 32°C (77 to 90°F), with school-holiday crowds and the highest campsite prices. Fire bans can close tracks.
  • Autumn (March to May): 18 to 25°C (64 to 77°F), calm seas and quieter camping.
  • Winter (June to August): 10 to 16°C (50 to 61°F), about 10 daylight hours, rain and cheap beds.
Book summer and Easter camping well ahead.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: good for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
australia-national-park-lincoln-national-park
© Google | Lincoln National Park

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Australia

Camping inside Lincoln National Park is the best option for backpackers, and Port Lincoln town is the base for everything else.
The park has campgrounds at Fisheries Bay, Memory Cove (limited vehicle permits, 4WD access control), Sleaford-side spots and Surfleet Cove, mostly with basic facilities and bookings through the South Australian national parks website. Port Lincoln, about 10 to 15 minutes from the park gate, has hostels, holiday parks with cabins and powered or unpowered sites, plus supermarkets and gear shops. Coffin Bay is a quieter alternative about 45 minutes west by road, with caravan parks and a handful of guesthouses.
Best hostels in Australia


Best quality hotels in Australia

👛 Costs (as of 15 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A day at Lincoln National Park runs about US$62 for a backpacker with a tent, based on high-season rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$7 to 10Per vehicle day pass, paid by card or online. Walk-ins on foot are rarely charged separately.
Accommodation (high season)US$15 to 30Bush campsites at Fisherman Point, Surfleet Cove and Memory Cove are bookable ahead. Port Lincoln hostels and caravan parks cost more.
Local transportUS$0 to 25No public buses reach the park. Rideshares are scarce, so car hire or shared fuel costs apply.
Food and suppliesUS$15 to 25Stock up at Port Lincoln supermarkets. Seafood is fresh but pricey.
Total Daily BudgetUS$62 (range US$37 to 90)Per person, per day, in high season.


source: parks.sa.gov.au
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsDiscover Lincoln's top trails and natural wonders

Walking here means short coastal tracks and a few longer sections through mallee scrub and heath, with sandy soil and loose granite underfoot.
  • Stamford Hill Walk: Roughly 1 km return, 20 to 30 minutes, easy. A steady climb to the Flinders memorial with views across the bay.
  • Coastal tracks near Fishery Bay: Allow 1 to 2 hours, easy to moderate. Rocky shoreline, rock pools and clifftop views, with some uneven footing.
  • Memory Cove area walks: Easy beach and bush strolls of an hour or two once inside the gate. Access is controlled and permits are needed, so arrange them ahead.
  • Wildlife and bush loops:
… read more 👉
Walking here means short coastal tracks and a few longer sections through mallee scrub and heath, with sandy soil and loose granite underfoot.
  • Stamford Hill Walk: Roughly 1 km return, 20 to 30 minutes, easy. A steady climb to the Flinders memorial with views across the bay.
  • Coastal tracks near Fishery Bay: Allow 1 to 2 hours, easy to moderate. Rocky shoreline, rock pools and clifftop views, with some uneven footing.
  • Memory Cove area walks: Easy beach and bush strolls of an hour or two once inside the gate. Access is controlled and permits are needed, so arrange them ahead.
  • Wildlife and bush loops: Flat sandy tracks where kangaroos and emus graze, best done slowly and quietly.
Port Lincoln has no practical public transport to the park, so a car, bike or taxi is the realistic way in. Many tracks are unsealed and some need four-wheel drive. The park is quiet most of the year, busiest during school holidays. A vehicle entry fee applies, and extra permits are needed for Memory Cove.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Lincoln

Lincoln National Park is straightforward and well managed, but its coast and weather need respect.
Cliff edges at Stamford Hill and the coastal tracks are exposed and windy, so keep to marked paths and stay back from edges. Summer heat regularly passes 35°C (95°F), so carry at least 3 liters of water per person, since taps are scarce. Snakes occasionally sun themselves on tracks; give them space. Kangaroos and emus are common around campsites, so store food securely and never feed them. Mobile coverage is patchy, so tell someone your route.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two to three days is enough for Lincoln National Park. That gives you time for the Stamford Hill lookout, the beaches at Fisheries Bay and Surfleet Cove, and a coastal walk such as the Investigator Trail. A single day covers the main lookouts, while hikers can add a night camping inside the park.
Not easily, because no public transport runs into the park. Port Lincoln is 10 to 15 minutes away by car, and taxis or rental cars are the practical options. Cyclists can ride in from town on sealed roads, though distances between sites are long and shade is limited.
Yes, vehicle entry fees apply, roughly AUD 12 to 15 per vehicle per day, and you pay online or at the park. Camping needs a separate booking through the South Australian national parks website. Memory Cove has a limited daily vehicle permit, so book well ahead in peak season.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Australian national parks near Lincoln

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

One full day covers the highlights, but two days let you add Memory Cove and a slow coastal walk. I would stay two if you have a car, and carry more water than you think you need.

✈️ When did I visit Australia?
On my trip to New Zealand in 1993, I had a short stop in Australia as well.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Australia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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