Route Summary: Port Lincoln – Coffin Bay – Greenly Beach – Charlton Gully
With rugged coastlines, crystal-clear waters and more oysters than you can shake a champagne glass at, the Eyre Peninsula is the perfect place for couples who want to slow down and soak up some serious serenity.
This seven-day itinerary is all about the good life. Think luxury eco-stays, wildlife encounters, great restaurants and seafood straight out of the ocean. You’ll spend your first three nights unwinding at the delightfully remote Greenly Carriage, a historic train carriage that’s been reimagined and perched near one of the most beautiful beaches in the state (hello morning coffee with a view). Then it’s off to the hills in Charlton Gully near Port Lincoln for four nights at Tanonga Luxury Eco Lodges. Here you’ll be spoiled with magnificent views and the only neighbours you’ll have are kangaroos and an abundance of birdlife.
Getting to the Eyre Peninsula is easy. It’s a scenic 7–8 hour drive from Adelaide (if you don’t mind a road trip), or a breezy 50-minute flight. Whichever way you go, pack your sense of adventure… and prepare to eat your body weight in seafood (if that’s your thing)!
Day 1
Port Lincoln – Greenly Beach
Total Driving Distance: Approx. 140km
Stay:
A unique, beautifully converted train carriage perched near Greenly Beach. Expect slow mornings, spectacular views and total tranquility!
Image credit :: The Greenly Carriage
Morning:
- Arrive in Port Lincoln, collect your car (if you flew) and stock up on supplies and local produce at The Fresh Fish Place.
- Take a leisurely coastal drive west toward Greenly Beach (about a 45 minute drive from Port Lincoln), with a coffee stop at Coffin Bay Cafe.
Lunch:
- Either keep driving towards your accommodation, or linger longer and enjoy a fresh seafood platter at 1802 Oyster Bar overlooking Coffin Bay (it’d be rude not to)!
- Arrive at your accommodation and settle in, then take a short stroll down to Greenly Beach — one of SA’s most photogenic beaches. Unwind on the sand or if the weather’s warm take a dip in the natural rock pools.
Dinner:
- Stay in and prepare a simple meal with your gourmet supplies and enjoy the outlook from your cosy new abode.
Image credit :: Port Lincoln | Fresh Fish Place
Day 2
Greenly Beach – Coffin Bay
Total Driving Distance: Approx. 85km return
Morning:
- Join an Experience Coffin Bay Oyster Farm Tour where you’ll enjoy eating oysters straight from the ocean. It’s a must-do Eyre Peninsula experience.
Lunch:
- If eating fresh oysters straight from the source left you wanting more, head to Oyster HQ for a relaxing afternoon of (more) oysters, share plates and other local seafood. Situated right on the water’s edge, this is one of the best views in town. For a less seafood heavy meal, head to the Coffin Bay Hotel for a range of pub classics.
Afternoon:
- Explore Coffin Bay National Park. Take the gentle Yangie Lookout Walk or just admire the views from Almonta Beach.
Dinner:
- Return to your carriage, pour a glass of wine and enjoy a light dinner and quiet evening under the stars.
Image credit :: Experience Coffin Bay | Port Lincoln
Day 3
Greenly Beach – Coffin Bay
Total driving distance: Approx. 85km return
For your last day here, we highly recommend you book an experience with Sunset Charters. There are different options to choose from, ranging from swimming with dolphins (5 hours) to a sunset cruise (2 hours) and even an intimate ‘taste and explore’ experience (3.5 hours). Regardless of which tour you choose, you’ll be spoiled with the sights of rugged National Park coastlines, postcard worthy beaches and marine wildlife.
These tours depart at different times throughout the day, so depending on which one you choose, you’ll either have the morning or the afternoon free to do as you please.
Image credit :: Sunset Charters
Dinner:
- Either relax back at your accommodation over a casual homemade dinner and enjoy your last sunset over the water or head back to one of your favourite restaurants in Coffin Bay for a delicious feed.
Day 4
Greenly – Port Lincoln – Tanonga Eco Lodges
Total Driving Distance: Approx. 96km
Stay:
Tanonga Luxury Eco Lodges, Charlton Gully
Set in a private conservation area, these sustainable lodges make you feel totally immersed in nature. Offering high-end creature comforts and spectacular outlooks, this is the kind of place you can completely detach from the hustle and bustle of life!
Morning:
- Depart Greenly after a relaxed breakfast. On your way back through Port Lincoln, stop at Peter Teakle Wines.
Lunch:
- Dine at Line & Label — Peter Teakle’s award-winning restaurant, known for combining outstanding local produce with fresh Asian flavours.
- Duck into the supermarket in Port Lincoln to stock up on supplies if needed, then make your way to Tanonga Luxury Eco Lodges in Charlton Gully to check in.
Afternoon:
- Settle into your Eco Lodge and explore one of the walking trails, or simply enjoy the bushland views with a cup of tea.
Dinner:
- Cook dinner in your self-contained lodge and enjoy your first sunset with this incredible view.
Image credit :: Teakle Wines | Tanonga
Day 5
Charlton Gully – Port Lincoln
Total Driving Distance: Approx. 50km return
Morning:
- For the adventurous: book a once-in-a-lifetime Calypso Star Charters tour. Choose from cage diving with sharks, swimming with sea lions, or snorkelling with giant cuttlefish (seasonal).
- Prefer something more low-key? Stroll along the Port Lincoln foreshore or visit the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum.
Lunch:
- Head back to The Fresh Fish Place for some more of the region’s best seafood — you can’t have too much of a good thing after all!
- Alternatively, head to Boston Bay Wines where you can do a wine tasting overlooking the stunning Southern Ocean. Then, stay for a relaxed lunch of fresh oysters, small plates and mouth-watering pizzas. This is a great place to spend the afternoon.
Dinner:
- Depending on how much you indulged at lunch, stop in at Del Giorno’s Cafe Restaurant in Port Lincoln and grab a bite or some takeaway to enjoy back at your lodge.
Image credit :: Boston Bay Wines | Del Giorno’s Cafe Restaurant
Day 6
Charlton Gully – Boston – Port Lincoln
Total Driving Distance: Approx. 55km return
Morning:
- Enjoy a morning bush walk from your lodge and try some birdwatching — Tanonga is a haven for native flora and fauna.
Lunch:
- Enjoy a light lunch back at the lodge or pack a picnic to enjoy amongst the trees.
Afternoon:
- Drive out to Winter Hill Lookout for panoramic views over Boston Bay and Lincoln National Park.
Dinner:
- Head to Jump Ship Brewing for a relaxed evening. Run by a husband and wife duo who turned an old tile shop in the centre of Port Lincoln into a brewery and restaurant, a visit here is guaranteed to serve up great beer, delicious eats and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
- Alternatively, Tour South offers some incredible adventures in the area. You could spend your day exploring by booking in for the Full Day 4WD Sightseeing Tour or even the Sunset on the Sand Dunes experience.
Image credit :: Port Lincoln | Jump Ship Brewing | Tour South
Day 7
Charlton Gully – Port Lincoln – Airport (if flying)
Total driving distance: 35km
(Or)
Charlton Gully – Adelaide (if driving)
Total Driving Distance: Approx. 640km
Morning:
- Soak up your last slow morning with coffee on the deck and one last nature walk before checking out.
Lunch:
- Grab a farewell bite at The Rouge and Rascal in Port Lincoln. They have a mouth-watering breakfast, brunch and lunch menu.
Afternoon:
- Start your drive back to Adelaide (if you drove) or return your hire car and depart from Port Lincoln Airport feeling refreshed, indulged and utterly relaxed!
Image credit :: Rogue & Rascal
Extra tips:
- Book tours (like oyster experiences or charters) in advance, particularly during peak travel seasons.
- Bring a good pair of walking shoes for national park trails and coastal walks.
