Attractions
The Makybe Diva Statue
Address: Tasman Terrace Port Lincoln SA 5606 .The life-sized bronze statue of Makybe Diva, the first racehorse to win the Melbourne Cup 3 times, is located at the foreshore park, Port Lincoln, Australia. The statue, erected to commemorate Makybe Diva, was unveiled in 2006, by the then Deputy Premier of South Australia, Hon. Kevin Foley MP. The statue was sculpted by Ken Martin, a Port Lincoln artist and according to him, he worked 7 days a week to make the statue; in totalt took him 9 months to complete the work. The funding of A$180,000 for the statue was provided by the Port Lincoln tuna industry and the local government.
Makybe Diva is a thoroughbred racehorse which was trained in Australia. It was bred in the United Kingdom and she won the Melbourne Cup, one of Australia’s most prestigious thoroughbred horse races. She has also in the years of 2005, 2004, and 2003. 2005 won the W.S. Cox Plate Cup. In the Australasian horse racing history, Makybe Diva holds the position as the top stakes-earner (more than A$14 million). She is among the only 5 horses, and the only mare, to have ever won the Cup multiple times. Makybe Diva is also one of the only fourteen mares to ever win the Cup. She made her racetrack debut when she was only 3-years old.
In 2004/05 season, Makybe Diva was named Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year. The Sport Australia Hall of Fame honored her with the Spirit of Sport Award in 2006, and in the same year she was also inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. In 2010, she was officially inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
The foreshore park is a beautiful place to spend the afternoon or even the whole day itself. The view towards the sea is spectacular and the statue in itself is very elegant. Keeping the sea in the background, the Makybe Diva statue presents itself as an excellent place for photo sessions.
Swim with the Sea Lions
Address: Port Lincoln SA .Swim with the sea lions in Port Lincoln
Get an up and close view of the endangered Australian Sea Lions, as you swim alongside them in the enchanting underwater expanses of Port Lincoln. You might even get to catch these gentle underwater creatures performing swirls and somersaults if you are lucky.
The sea lion population is numbered. A meager 12,000 of the species are left underwater, mostly clustered in the islands between Western and Southern Australia. These regions are labeled as wilderness reserves, where many Sea Lions calmly reside and interact with each other in the shallow waters.
There are many guided tours that offer tourists a chance to observe these stunning sea creatures in their natural habitat. What’s interesting is that many of these sea lions actually respond to the calls of the guides. Of course, some sea lions are more interactive than others; sea lions in their adolescent especially love to socialize.
The sea lion guided tours give you a chance to spend anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour swimming with the enchanting underwater species. You will be surprised to see that they are almost as curious as you are about them, and friendly too- you will not have to trick them into interactions with treats
Glen Forrest Tourist Park
Address: Port Lincoln .A 15-minute drive from Port Lincoln, Glen Forest Tourist Park is ideal for family picnics, school excursions, birthday parties, and bus tours. Out of the 400-acre farm, 120 acres is dedicated to the animal park. The animals include kangaroos, koalas, water buffaloes, peacocks, ostriches, camels, wombats, and so on. You would be able to feed some of the animals and birds. The park has made arrangements for your children to cuddle and feed baby animals as well. The dams in the park, fed by creeks and natural springs, are home to a wide variety of water birds.
The park features a free barbecue undercover eating area. The kiosk located there has coffee, tea, ice creams, and drinks. They sell souvenirs as well. The park offers Segway Rides. You would be able to explore the farms and the vineyards located in the park on the Segway. The Putt Putt Mini Golf 'Animal Run' is another attraction of the park. The fun characters installed in the area makes the game more fun to children. The whole family would be able to enjoy the game. The park features a large walk-in bird aviary also.
The park also contains a vineyard. It is about 80 acres. The varieties grown include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
A Visit to Port Lincoln's famous Bluefin Tuna Industry
Address: Port Lincoln SA .Southern Bluefin Tuna is Eyre Peninsula’s most famous seafood product. It is much sought after as a sashimi grade premium product in the Japanese seafood market. The majority of the Tuna are exported to Japan. The Southern Bluefin Tuna ranching industry is based in Port Lincoln. It is one of the key tourist attractions in the city. During the ranching season (December to September), the industry employs around 4000 people.
The Tuna are captured live in the Great Australian Bight. They are then transferred to tow pontoons, and then later towed to the farms. There, they are transferred to smaller pontoons. These pontoons are located in the clear waters of Spencer Gulf. Airplanes coming in and going out of Port Lincoln passes over these pontoons, offering the passengers an aerial view of the operation. Tuna are caught between the month of December and March. They remain in the smaller pontoons for the rest of the season. If you visit Port Lincoln during the month of July or August, you would be able to see a lot of freezer boats anchored in Port Lincoln.
The industry is a world-leader in research, quality, and innovation. Its development of the innovative ranching technique, and a strict program of zones, quotas and licensing is what paved way for the overall development of the sustainable Southern Bluefin Tuna industry.
Visit to the Old Mill and Winters Hill Lookout
Address: Port Lincoln SA .In the year 1846, the Old Mill was constructed as a flour mill. However, it was never used for grinding any grain into flour. As of now, this historic building in Port Lincoln serves as a lookout tower. From the city center, it is just a walking distance. Turn into the Gloucester Terrace from the Flinders Highway, and just take a left to the Dorset Place. Parking facility is not available, so you will have to park on the side of the road. Get on top of the tower by climbing the spiral stairs, and you would be met with a breathtaking view of the Boston Bay and the city. However, keep in mind that it is quite a task to climb those stairs
Fishery Bay
Address: Port Lincoln SA .A 20-minute drive from Port Lincoln, the beach is accessible by a 4-wheel drive. The beach is relatively flat. The pristine sand is great for barefoot strolls. The place is ideal for swimming, and surfing. The scenic bay is great for photography as well. Fishery Bay, as the name suggests, is a great place to fish as well.
Sleaford Bay
Address: Port Lincoln .The bay and its beaches are accessible by a 4-wheel drive. You will be able to enjoy a drive through the dunes and along the beaches. All the beaches share a long energetic surf zone. Fishing here is a very popular activity. The colour of the water remains gorgeous throughout the year.
Whalers Way
Address: Port Lincoln SA .It offers you the most beautiful and spectacular coastal scenery in the entire South Australia. The place contains a number of caves. Whalers Way consists of two golden sandstone pyramids. You will be able to watch scores of fur seals frolic in the water or bask on the rocks. The eastern corner of the bay is dotted with flowering native flora.
Mayne Gallery
Address: 14 King St, Port Lincoln SA 5606, Australia .Visual Artist, Marilyn Mayne, Port Lincoln
