Port Lincoln, South Australia

Port Lincoln

Population:	14,740 (2006)
Postcode:	5606
Area:	km² ( sq mi)
Time zone: • Summer (DST)	ACST ([[UTC+9:30]]) ACST ([[UTC+10:30]])
Location:	km ( mi) from Adelaide
LGA:	City of Port Lincoln
State District:	Flinders
Federal Division:	Grey

Port Lincoln (postcode 5606) is a city in the Australian state of South Australia. It is a coastal city situated on the Boston Bay at the southern extremity of the Eyre Peninsula. It is the largest city in the West Coast region, and is located approximately 687 kilometres from the capital city of Adelaide.

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.

Geography

Port Lincoln has a contrasting coastal landscape, ranging from sheltered waters and beaches, to surf beaches and rugged oceanic coastline.

Government

Port Lincoln and its suburbs comprise the City of Port Lincoln local government area. Port Lincoln is in the state electoral district of Flinders and the federal Division of Grey.Its mayor is Peter Davis who was recently reelected unopposed.

Economy

Railway Station

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 is the terminus of an isolated 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge railway system to bring the wheat to port. In 2006, iron ore traffic may be added.

Tourism

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; however, many State Government functions are gradually being phased out as State Government becomes more centralised in Adelaide. 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 having more millionaires per capita than any other city in Australia.

Lincoln National Park, Coffin Bay National Park and Kellidie Bay Conservation Park are within easy driving distance.

Panorama of Boston Bay, with Port Lincoln in the right third of picture.

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, including Graham Johncock, Peter Burgoyne, Shaun Burgoyne and Byron Pickett.

Tony Santic, the owner of Makybe Diva (the only horse to win the Melbourne Cup 3 times) is a tuna farmer in Port Lincoln.

Eddy Munro - Guitar Player

Culture

The book Blue Fin by Colin Thiele was set in Port Lincoln, with the movie of the same name filmed in nearby Streaky Bay. Some of the shark scenes of Jaws and Anzac Cove scenes in Gallipoli, were also filmed near Port Lincoln.

Australian Survivor, the Australian produced series of the US television series, Survivor, was filmed at Whalers Way, south of Port Lincoln, in 2001.

Media

Port Lincoln has two local radio stations, 89.9 Magic FM and 765 5CC (the first local commercial station) broadcasting out of their Washington Street studio. It is also served by 1485 ABC Local Radio which broadcasts out of the Civic Centre on Tasman Terrace. It's also served by Triple J and ABC Radio National from Tumby Bay and satellite uplink from Melbourne respectively. It also receives Wild Country FM.

Port Lincoln has one local newspaper, the Port Lincoln Times. The Port Lincoln Times is published on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Free to air TV stations available in Port Lincoln are ABC, SBS, Southern Cross GTS/BKN (formerly Central Television) and Southern Cross Ten. Also available is Austar pay TV.