Memory Cove Port Lincoln National Park: The best beaches in South Australia

A stunning little-known beach in South Australia is making waves thanks to its secluded location and breathtaking turquoise water.

Memory Cove is a small bay cradled between densely vegetated headlands in Lincoln National Park on the Eyre Peninsula, an eight hour drive from Adelaide and 13km south west of Port Lin­coln.

The once ‘sleepy’ beach first captured the attention of travellers when it was named one of the top 10 in the world and is accessible only with a $12 gate key from the Port Lincoln Visitor Centre.

The once ‘sleepy’ beach first captured the attention of travellers when it was named one of the top 10 beaches in the world and is accessible only with a $12 gate key from the Port Lincoln Visitor Centre

A wilderness protection area, the beach is limited to 15 vehicles a day and provides a fantastic camping or day-visit experience for those lucky enough to gain access.

The magical bay, which is best visited in a four-wheel drive due to the rough bitumen and uneven ground has five camping sites available and the wait time for a visitor pass is usually around six weeks. 

Those who do have a 4WD can drive onto the beach and cool off immediately in the shallows, where kangaroos and other animals are often relaxing alongside you.

Memory Cove is a small bay cradled between densely vegetated headlands in Lincoln National Park on the Eyre Peninsula, an eight hour drive from Adelaide and 13km south of Port Lin­coln 

A wilderness protection area, the beach is limited to 15 vehicles a day and provides a fantastic camping or day-visit experience for those lucky enough to gain access

Those who have visited Memory Cove have raved about its ‘unbelievable beauty’ and reported seeing dolphins, seals, turtles, goannas and all kinds of birdlife.

‘It’s absolutely incredible you must put this on your must see bucket list,’ one woman wrote.

‘Be prepared though it is protected by a rough and rugged long dirt road and needs a good hard 4×4 to get you there – but so worth it. Make sure to see this place.’

The magical bay, which is best visited in a four-wheel drive due to the rough bitumen and uneven ground has five camping sites available and the wait time for a visitor pass is usually around six weeks

Those who do have a 4WD can drive onto the beach and cool off immediately in the shallows, where kangaroos and other local animals are often relaxing alongside you

Another wrote: ‘It’s a tiny isolated beach nestled at the southern end of the park that feels like a private piece of paradise. This special place has become a favourite of ours whenever we are in the area.’

‘The isolation and tranquility of Memory Cove are bewitching and if you are lucky to spend time alone – even for a few hours – it’s a magical and privileged experience. 

Rangers also recommend exploring the nearby Cape Catastrophe if you have time, which was named by Matthew Flinders in honour of eight crew members who died when their boat capsized offshore in 1802. 

Those who have visited Memory Cove have raved about its ‘unbelievable beauty’ and reported seeing dolphins, seals, turtles, goannas and all kinds of birdlife

‘It’s absolutely incredible you must put this on your must see bucket list,’ one woman wrote

The Lincoln National Park offers countless magnificent experiences for visitors, including two easy 2.5km coastal walks that look out over Stamford Beach and Boston Bay – the largest natural habour in Australia.

On the south­ern side of the park are mas­sive, wind-sculpt­ed sand dunes of the Sleaford-Wan­na dune sys­tem and there are several other popular campsites to visit should Memory Cove be booked up. 

These include Car­case Rock Camp­ground, Engine Point, Fish­er­man Point, Horse Rock and MacLaren Point which are detailed on the Parks SA website.