East Coast, Eyre Peninsula

Port Lincoln (pop. 12,000) is at the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula. It was one of the earliest European-style settlements, established in 1839. Shortage of water and a relatively infertile hinterland hampered its early development, but these problems have been dealt with and the area now produces rich crops of wheat. Port Lincoln is the base of a Australia's largest fishing fleet and a busy commercial port, exporting wheat, wool, sheep and frozen fish.With its sheltered bays, mild climate and beautiful coastal scenery, with rugged cliffs alternating with beautiful beaches, Port Lincoln is becoming an increasingly popular holiday resort. In the town itself there is the interesting Mill Cottage Museum (1867). From elegant Boston House there is a majestic view over the bay. The Lincoln Hotel (1840) in Tasman Terrace is the oldest of its kind on the Eyre Peninsula.The beginning of the tunny-fishing season is marked by the Tunarama Festival, held annually in January on the weekend after Australia Day.

Whyalla (pop. 26,000) is the second largest town in South Australia, with a deep-water port, and an important center of heavy industry processing iron ore from Iron Knob and Iron Baron in the nearby Middle Back Ranges. The town itself has no particular features of interest.The origins of Whyalla go back to a little 19th C settlement called Hummock Hill which was given a tremendous boost when the industrial giant BHP established a large steelworks. From 1939 to 1978 the town also had a large shipyard.The principal attraction of the town's Maritime Museum is the Whyalla, a ship built here in 1941. There are interesting tours of the BHP steelworks, which also include an excursion to the Iron Knob iron mines.

The historic settlement of Cowell (pop. 700) is where Franklin Harbour, a large coastal lagoon, offers safe, sheltered beaches for bathing and fishing. The economy depends on the deposits of jade in the area, fishing and farming as well as on tourism (hotels, motels, caravan/camping parks). South of Cowell is Franklin Harbour Conservation Park (good fishing). Visitors can join a 'jade safari' which will take them into the beautiful Minbrie Ranges and give them an opportunity of prospecting for a piece of jade for themselves.

Arno Bay is a popular little resort.

Tumby Bay (pop. 1200) has developed in recent years into a popular holiday resort with a semicircular bay of white sand offering beautiful coastal scenery. The former police station houses a museum of local history.The offshore islands to the east have been designated as the Sir Joseph Banks Group Conservation Park (sea lions, dolphins, many species of birds).