If you’ve ever wondered how to capture the essence of Australia’s rugged coastline, vibrant wildlife, and hidden gems, Port Lincoln should be at the top of your list. Situated on the Eyre Peninsula, this quiet town offers some of the best photo opportunities you’ll ever come across. From the turquoise waters of the bay to the wild, dramatic cliffs surrounding the area, there’s no shortage of stunning backdrops for your lens.
1. Sunrise at the Port Lincoln Marina
One of the best places to start your day is the Port Lincoln Marina. I arrived just before sunrise, eager to catch the first light of the day. The marina was quiet, with only a few early birds out walking, and the sky slowly turned from a soft purple to a brilliant orange. There’s something special about photographing the soft, diffused light that comes just before the sun fully rises. The water in the marina mirrors the sky’s colors, and the boats gently sway, providing a peaceful scene that’s easy to get lost in.
I used a wide-angle lens to capture the entire scene, ensuring the reflections of the boats in the water were part of the composition. A polarizer filter helped cut through any glare and enhanced the colors of the sky and water. The key here is to be quick, as the golden hour is fleeting, and you want to capture the transition before the light becomes too harsh.
2. Wildlife Photography at Lincoln National Park
One of the true highlights of Port Lincoln is the chance to photograph its diverse wildlife. Lincoln National Park, just a short drive from the town center, is a fantastic location for birdwatching and capturing the behavior of native animals in their natural habitat. The park is home to koalas, kangaroos, and an array of colorful birds, including the iconic pink and grey galahs.
I spent a few hours walking along the various trails within the park, staying as quiet as possible to avoid scaring off the animals. It’s all about patience—sometimes you’ll walk for what feels like ages with nothing to show for it, but then you’ll come across a kangaroo hopping into view or a koala lazily perched in a eucalyptus tree.
When photographing wildlife, I recommend using a telephoto lens. A 70-200mm lens is perfect for capturing animals from a distance without disturbing them. I also found that using continuous autofocus helped ensure I got sharp shots, especially when animals moved quickly. Early mornings or late afternoons are prime times for wildlife activity, and the soft light helps bring out the natural colors of the animals.
3. The View from Stamford Hill Lookout
After spending the morning immersed in nature, it was time to head towards one of the best panoramic views in the area: Stamford Hill Lookout. The climb to the top is short but steep, and the reward is breathtaking. From the summit, you can see all of Port Lincoln laid out before you, with the marina below and the coastline stretching off into the distance. It’s one of those views that makes you feel like you’ve reached the edge of the world.
To capture the vastness of the landscape, I used a wide-angle lens once again. But to make the image feel more dynamic, I included some of the surrounding foliage in the foreground. A technique I often use is the rule of thirds, placing the horizon line a little higher or lower than the center to create a sense of balance. The expansive sky above, filled with soft clouds, provided a perfect backdrop to the scene.
There was also something about the light at that time of day—the sun was just high enough to create a nice contrast between the deep blue ocean and the rugged land. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to check the settings on your camera, but I made sure to keep my ISO low to avoid any noise in the shadows, and I kept my aperture wide open to get that lovely shallow depth of field in the foreground.
4. Sailing on Boston Bay
No visit to Port Lincoln would be complete without a trip out on the water. Boston Bay is the largest natural harbour in Australia, and the chance to photograph its crystal-clear waters from a boat is one I couldn’t pass up. I joined a local sailing tour, which offered the perfect opportunity to photograph the coastline from a different angle.
Being on the water presents unique challenges—motion, changing light, and the constant shifting of perspective. I kept my camera on continuous shooting mode to capture as many moments as possible. I found that having a higher shutter speed helped freeze the motion of the boat and the waves, ensuring my photos weren’t blurry. If you want to include the movement of the water in your shots, a slower shutter speed can give a beautiful, silky effect to the waves, but you’ll need a tripod or stable surface to keep your camera steady.
I made sure to shoot in manual mode so I could adjust for the changing lighting conditions on the water. One of the things I loved most about this experience was capturing the contrast between the white sails of the boat against the vibrant blue of the bay. If you’re on a sailing tour, keep an eye out for other boats or wildlife in the distance, like dolphins, which are often spotted in the bay. I was lucky enough to get a shot of a dolphin leaping out of the water in the distance—an unforgettable moment.
5. Photographing the Town’s Street Art
Beyond the natural beauty, Port Lincoln has a surprising amount of street art scattered throughout the town. I found myself wandering down side streets and alleyways, finding colorful murals that seem to tell the stories of the local culture and history. The most famous of these is the giant mural of a white shark on the side of the Port Lincoln Hotel. It’s a tribute to the region’s shark cage diving industry, and its sheer scale makes it an impressive sight.
For urban photography like this, I recommend using a 35mm lens or something with a similar focal length to capture the art in context with its surroundings. I usually prefer to shoot in natural light, but for these murals, I found that shooting in the late afternoon, when the sun is a little lower, gives the colors of the artwork a more dramatic look. The warm light of the setting sun can also help soften any harsh shadows cast by buildings, making the scene feel more inviting.
6. Shark Cage Diving
One of the most unique photo opportunities in Port Lincoln is shark cage diving. The waters off the coast are home to some of the largest Great White sharks in the world, and the opportunity to capture these magnificent creatures up close is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The cage itself is submerged beneath the surface, and you’re just inches away from these predators as they swim past. For this, I used an underwater camera housing, making sure to set my white balance to the correct settings to avoid any color distortions caused by the water’s blue-green tones. To get the best shots, I waited for the sharks to approach the cage and then clicked away, making sure to keep my focus on the creature’s eyes for a dramatic effect.
It’s important to note that you’ll need a fast shutter speed here to capture the movement of the sharks. Since they move so quickly, any delay could result in a blurry shot. It’s an experience that gets your adrenaline pumping, and every shot feels like a small victory.
7. Coastal Drives: Exploring the Hidden Beaches
One of the joys of Port Lincoln is the variety of coastal drives that take you to secluded beaches and lookout points. I spent an afternoon driving along the coast, stopping at places like Sleaford Bay and the beautiful Donington Bay, where the sand is so white it almost looks like snow.
For these beach shots, I like to shoot during the golden hour, right before sunset, when the light is soft and warm. The key to capturing beaches is playing with the contrast between the sand, the water, and the sky. Sometimes, using a longer exposure can create a dreamy effect with the water as it laps against the shore, which adds a sense of movement to an otherwise tranquil scene.
When photographing the beach, I also made sure to include a bit of the surrounding landscape—cliffs, trees, or rocks—to give a sense of scale and depth to the image. This also helps create a more dynamic composition.
Port Lincoln is filled with so many incredible moments, each one waiting for its perfect shot. Whether you’re on the water, in the wilderness, or wandering through the town, there’s always something that catches your eye. Just remember to take your time, be patient, and let the landscape guide your creativity.