Home to the largest commercial fishing fleet in the southern hemisphere ... Port Lincoln.
This stunning coastal gem on the Eyre Peninsula lives and breathes the sea,writes Lee Atkinson.
Why go?
At the southern tip of South Australia's Eyre Peninsula - the triangle of land jutting into the Southern Ocean between Adelaide and the Great Australian Bight - Port Lincoln has one of the country's most dramatic coastlines,fantastic wildlife-watching opportunities,and some of the best seafood in the country.
What it's known for
Port Lincoln is home to the largest commercial fishing fleet in the southern hemisphere and is famous for its tuna. The annual Tunarama Festival on the Australia Day long weekend celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011. The headline event is the World Championship Tuna Toss,when crowds gather to see who can throw a 10-kilogram tuna the furthest (the world record is more than 37 metres). You can swim with tuna year round on a three-hour tour to a pontoon in a bluefin tuna pen,where you can feed the fish. Tuna are one of the world's fastest fish,and the experience of having dozens of monster-size fish charging at your face at what seems like a million miles an hour is utterly surreal (and a lot of fun!). Adults from $80,children from $50. Bookings are essential. 1300 008 862,swimwiththetuna.com.au.
What you didn't know ...
It's not just the fish that are fast in Port Lincoln. Makybe Diva,the first horse to win the Melbourne Cup three times in a row (2003-05),is owned by South Australian tuna fisherman Tony Santic,who named her after the first two letters in five of his employees'names (Maureen,Kylie,Belinda,Diane and Vanessa). There is a life-size bronze sculpture of the great racehorse on the Port Lincoln waterfront.
What's new?
The new Port Lincoln YHA not only offers dorm-style backpacker accommodation,but a range of great-value private rooms with en suite for $105. The new purpose-built hostel features airconditioning,a large self-catering kitchen,a separate TV and reading room,a common room,and a themed bar named"scubar".yha.com.au.