Whilst on our lap of Eyre, we visited Lincoln National Park and checked our a few of the best campgrounds. Located just a short drive from Port Lincoln, it offers a dramatic contrast of calm, turquoise bays and some wild weather. Coffin Bay National Park often gets more of the attention, but I reckon Lincoln offers a bit more choice in where you might want to set up.
We checked out a few different campgrounds to see how they stack up. Here is the breakdown of what to expect.
Fisherman Point
This may be the most popular campsite in the park. It’s quite large, with multiple toilet blocks. There are a few prime spots here along the cliff top edge that overlook Fisherman’s Beach. I think if you could snag one of these, you’d be very happy.
It’s an easy stroll down a track to the beach, and the amenities are very clean. When we visitted it was popular with caravanners.
Some of the sites as you come in look a bit poky and don’t offer much of a view, so I’d avoid those. The whole area is a very typical national park campground though, tightly packed with lots of small sites. I much preferred out next stop…
Richardson’s Shack
Just down the road from Fisherman Point, overlooking the far end of Fisherman’s Beach, is Richardson’s Shack campground. This is a classic throwback to the days before everything got a bit sanitised in our national parks.
There’s no allocated sites, its just a large area of land broken up by trees scattered throughout – providing a bit of a break from nearby campers. No such issue when we were there though, as we had the entire place to ourselves!
There are no amenities here, and area’s with good views over the beach are limited to probably 3-4 areas you could set up at. Still, we loved the natural feel of it!
Spalding Cove
Another no amenity campsite, I loved the look of this one. The water here is often dead-calm and crystal clear, making it a playground for the kids. You can basically camp right on the edge of the beach. Brilliant.
The track in was pretty tight and windy, so might be difficult for towing anything large through. But for those wanting to avoid the crowds and don’t need amenities, it looks a great spot to set up camp.
MacLaren Point
With our van unhooked, we thought we’d nip over to MacLaren Point for a quick look. It was quick at all though, as the track across from Fisherman Point is nothing but *rough*! This one will certainly thin out the crowds.
But unfortunately the campsites at the end didn’t really inspire me. Despite being adjacent a nice looking beach, all the campsites were tucked away behind dunes and trees, offering no views at all. There are better sites for sure – but its certainly an adventure to get there.
September Beach
September Beach is often cited as the favorite all-rounder for Lincoln National Park. It strikes a great balance between feeling “out there” and having the basic comforts. Although the campsites sit back behind the dune, and don’t offer an sea views, they are very spacious. It’s only a short walk over the dune to an awesome beach, and amenities are nearby.
There is a top and bottom row of campsites. The top one potentially gives you a view (though I didn’t confirm) but the bottom ones have more protection from the wind.
Although not the rustic style nature camping we prefer, I still liked the look of this one.
Engine Point
Engine Point is not far north of Richardson Shack campground, in the next bay. Its a fairly small offering without any amenities. There are a couple of sites that overlook the nice, calm beach here. Not a bad, basic offering, but I’d probably pick Richardsons Shack or Fisherman Point if you were on this side of the coast.
Things to Know Before You Go
Booking & Permits All campsites in Lincoln National Park must be booked online through the National Parks SA website. Despite the warnings on the way in, I had good phone reception at Fisherman Point and Richardson’s Shack so was able to suss out the locations before making my booking.
Supplies Port Lincoln is only about 30 minutes away, making it easy to stock up on fuel, groceries, and supplies before heading in. However, once you are in the park, there is no potable water—bring more than you think you’ll need.
Vehicle While many of the main roads are accessible by 2WD or AWD, the tracks to spots like MacLaren Point require a genuine high clearance 4WD. Ensure your recovery gear is packed and your tire pressures are adjusted for the sandy sections.
Final Thoughts
There is a glaring omission here that I need to rectify, and that’s Memory Cove. I do want to get back and spend some time there, and when doing so I would certainly pair it with one of the above sites for a few nights stay as well.
Have you stayed at any of these sites, or do you have a hidden gem in the park we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
