Port Lincoln, Australia

Port Lincoln is a town at the southern extremity of the Eyre Peninsula, which is a wheat growing area of South Australia.

Situated on the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula at coordinates 34°43′ S 135°50′ E, Port Lincoln is 670 km by road from Adelaide, or about 280 km west of Adelaide by air. Port Lincoln is a substantial city located on Boston Bay (a bay which is more than three and a half times the size of Sydney Harbour). Boston Bay is regarded as one of the finest natural harbours in the world. It has a growing population of over 14,000, rainfall of 488 mm per annum, and a Mediterranean climate. Its postcode is 5606.

History

The Parnkalla people occupied the area prior to white settlement in 1836.

British naval explorer Matthew Flinders discovered the harbour in February 1802. Because of its particularly good harbour, he named it Port Lincoln rather than just Lincoln, the capital of Lincolnshire where Flinders came from. It is thought that only the lack of a reliable nearby water supply stopped Port Lincoln becoming the state capital of South Australia.

Economy

The economy is based on the huge grain-handling facilities (a total capacity of over 337,500 tonnes), the canning and fish processing works, lambs, wool and beef, and tuna farming for the lucrative Japanese market. It has a narrow gauge 3' 6" (1.067 m) railway system to bring the wheat to port.

Tourism is becoming increasingly important, thanks to the scenic beauty and coastal locality. Ready access to both Spencer Gulf and the Great Australian Bight mark Port Lincoln out as a blue water playground for yachting, scuba diving and game fishing.The city also functions as a regional centre for government administration, corporate services and commerce to Eyre Peninsula. During the past decade, housing demand has led to a boom in property development, both residential and commercial.

Home of Australia's largest commercial fishing fleet, Port Lincoln now has a thriving aquaculture industry that farms the following species: kingfish, abalone, mussels, oysters, and experimental farming in seahorses and lobsters. Before the advent of aquaculture, the main fishing was for Southern Bluefin tuna.

The city's success in both agricultural and aquacultural pursuits has resulted in it becoming the richest city in Australia, per capita.

Landscape

Port Lincoln has a fantastic contrasting coastal landscape, ranging from sheltered waters and idyllic beaches, to good surf beaches and rugged oceanic coastline that rivals the famous Great Ocean Road on Victoria's west coast.

Government

Port Lincoln and its suburbs comprise the City of Port Lincoln local government area. Port Lincoln is in the state electorate of Flinders and the federal Division of Grey.

Famous people

Super heavyweight weightlifter Dean Lukin was a tuna fisherman who shot to fame as a weightlifter in the 1980s, then returned to run the family fishery business.

Many Australian Rules Football (AFL) players have come from Port Lincoln.

Tony Santic, a wealthy tuna fisherman from Port Lincoln, achieved national fame when his racehorse Makybe Diva won consecutive Melbourne Cups in 2003 and 2004.

Movies

The movie Blue Fin was set and filmed in and around Port Lincoln. Some of the shark scenes of Jaws were also filmed here. Some Anzac Cove scenes in Gallipoli were filmed near Port Lincoln.