Stand up paddle board (SUP)

Xtreme Kites and Paddle Board

STAND UP PADDLE BOARD:  1 hour hire & lesson $45pp.  PORT LINCOLN AND SURROUNDS

I'd been eyeing-off this Sport since I first moved to the Eyre Peninsula.  I've not seen so many paddle boarders in one area before.  There must be something about this sport that has so many people gliding around the bays.  This week, I made the phone call and booked myself in for an hour session.  Expecting it to be a bit like surfing I thought the board would be pretty hard to stand and stay up on.  I dressed in my bathers in anticipation of getting very wet!

SUP through the Marina

To my surprise, paddle boarding on flat water is pretty easy to get the hang of.  There's something beautiful about almost walking on water and gliding along. 

Step 2 will be to take the challenge and try and catch a wave on this board.  I'd definitely recommend giving it a go on flat water - I'm pretty confident that anyone can do it.  Xtreme Kites and Paddle Board cover the whole Eyre Peninsula, run by Jacqui and Scott who are both super friendly.  So if you're like me and have been eyeing off those folks out on the paddle board, skimming across the surface of the water, wondering what it's like? Just give it a go!

September Beach - Lincoln National Park

SELF DRIVE:  13km/15mins FROM PORT LINCOLN TO PARK ENTRANCE  

ENTRY FEE:  $11 per vehicle payable at the gate  

September Beach is approx another 20mins onwards

The Lincoln National Park never ceases to amaze me - so many beautiful hidden beaches.  One of those is September Beach.  It is at the end of Natinoal Park, just south east of Donnington. 

Map - Lincoln National Park 

 

Dolphin Watching - Sleaford Bay

There's nothing more lovely than going for a drive on a sunny, Sunday. Except, perhaps, pulling-up at one of your favourite lookouts and seeing a pod a Dolphins catching waves and splashing around.  There were about 16 Dolphins in this pod, frolicking from one side of the bay to the other.  Magical!

 

 

 

Bushfires

Bushfire Season has made an unfortunate start.  Last weekend the area of Sleaford and parts of Tulka were ablaze.  I drove out there today to take a look at the damage.  You can still smell the ash and burning. Be mighty careful this summer!

The view over Sleaford from Wreck Beach Sand dunes, the fire came right up to where these cars are parked.

 

A burnt vehicle

 

 

 

 

 

Fishery Bay

SELF DRIVE:  25mins ex PORT LINCOLN

 

Well, what can I say?  Fishery's is one hell of a nice beach.

If you have a 4WD you can drive it down onto the sand and set up for the day.  NOTE: You probably need to let you tyres down.  I got stuck here in my Dad's car - a Subaru Outback.  We made it all the way down and along the beach but just as we were edging up the hill, off the soft sand we got stuck.  Stuck for about 20minutes, without mobile phones and the smell of a burning clutch.  I managed to grab the one other person on the beach at the time (who was thankful that I had relieved him of his jog along the beach) for a bit of local advice.  Apparently Dad just wasn't 'givin' it enough guts.'  Sure enough with a bit more pedal to the metal, we were off and away.

If the wind's blowing in the right direction Fishery is a popular surf spot for beginner-intermediates and great bay to go stand-up paddle boarding at. It's also great if there's a northerly wind and you find the main beach in Port Lincoln too windy.  Just head to either end of this beautiful bay and you should find it a bit more protected.

Getting ready for a surf up on the cliffs to the left of Fisheries.

 

 

 

 

The Swimming Cage - Port Lincoln Jetty

Do you like swimming?  Swimming without the fear of a Great White?  I sure do.  The Lincoln town Jetty has an enclosed cage off to one side.  The water here is good and deep.  There's a platform you can dive off and jetty jump!  The kids have great fun on it (and so do the adults).  I like the view watching folks fishing and wandering up and down the jetty.
Now a few months back my husband and father had different opinions on the length of the cage.  One thought 25 metres, the other thought perhaps 50.  Thinking they were both wrong and wanting to prove it, I tried to Google and find out but there was no record.  I took my handy measuring tape down to the jetty to find out just how long this cage is.  Have you had your guess?  The answer's at the bottom of the page...

Kids having fun jumping off the ledge

Drum roll please...
The cage measures just over 50 metres.  Dad, you were closest!

Glen Forest Park

15MIN DRIVE FROM PORT LINCOLN
$12 ENTRY FEE

Glen Forest website
Something fun for the kids, or the kid in you! This little animal park has enough to entertain for a few hours. The highlight for me were the Kangaroo's. They're extremely tame,  allowing you to feed and pet them.
If you are considering a visit, be sure to check the feeding time for the Koala's. I won't tell you anymore to allow for some suprise!

Sleepy Kanga

Feeding time - You can purchase bags of grain to feed the animals

Albino Joey

Ostrich