Port Lincoln Airport Parking

You’ve got your eyes peeled and nose to the ground for parking at Port Lincoln Airport (PLO).

Good news – you’re in exactly the right place. Because if you grab a cold (or hot) one and settle down for five minutes, you’ll get everything you need to know about Port Lincoln Airport parking and a bit more besides.

First thing’s first, though. If you possibly can, you should add a couple of days on your trip to explore this stunning area.

There’s a whole world of experiences out there. For example, Coffin Bay National Park is a heavenly oasis comprising turquoise waters, powder-sand beaches, and luscious coastal vegetation. And if you’re an adventurous type, you can dive below the surface and discover the unique marine life by snorkelling, diving, or canoeing among the coral reefs.

And the Eyre Peninsula's majestic wildlife doesn’t stop there. Next, you can take a dolphin-watching cruise and see schools of dolphins playing in the waves, or visit Mikkira Station to see emus, kangaroos, and koalas in their natural environments. Alternatively, go even bigger and take a whale-watching tour to see massive Southern Right whales cruising along the coastline.

Foodies are in for a treat here too, with the abundance of ocean-fresh seafood on offer. Indeed, tables at the local markets are practically overflowing with world-class tuna, prawns and oysters.

Meanwhile, history buffs can explore Port Lincoln’s rich seafaring past by visiting the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum and explore the heritage of fishing, whaling and shipbuilding in the area. Here you’ll see an impressive collection of ancient vessels, artifacts, and photos bringing Port Lincoln's maritime past alive.

And you’re really missing out if you ignore Port Lincoln’s Aboriginal heritage and culture. The Indigenous Kaurna people are this area’s natural guardians, and you can learn all about their storytelling, traditional way of life and connection to the land at the Yumba Indigenous Knowledge Centre.

When you really want to get your pulse racing, you can also go hiking or mountain biking through the stunning Lincoln National Park landscapes and take an off-road tour of beaches, sand dunes and romantic hidden coves.

And if you can find a designated driver, don’t forget to sample some Eyre Peninsula wine by taking a tasting tour at one of the areas many wineries and vineyards.

Port Lincoln also has a buzzing arts scene, and you can see the works of talented local artists at the likes of the Port Lincoln Art Gallery, as well as on walls around the city.

When you’re peckish – and you will be after all that – there’s a great cuisine scene in Port Lincoln. Try Sarin's Restaurant & Bar/Bistro for casual dining with Aussie and International fare, Ming Inn Chinese Restaurant for delicious Asian fare, or Fumo 28 Oyster Bar & Seafood for fabulous seafood.

Hotspots for drinks include Sharky’s (live music and beer garden), And the Rebel (lovely rooftop bar with harbour views), and the Great Northern Bar for a vast selection of draft beers.

As far as retail therapy goes, there are plenty of choices too. Port Lincoln has the Port Plaza shopping center for example, which has homeware, clothing and jewellery stores, and The Bay Room, a chic, boutique fashion store.

And Eyre Peninsula has the likes of Collins Clothing Co and Mistique On Eyre (great for souvenirs). In terms of cosy places to stay the night, there’s Pier Hotel and Port Lincoln Hotel.

Find the best deals at Port Lincoln Airport

When you’re dedicated to finding cheap airport parking at Port Lincoln Airport, there are several tried and tested ways to pursue your goal.

For example, you can trawl local press and websites for PLO parking discounts and coupons, and travel insurance providers and credit card companies also often provide discounts.

Some travellers are also open to off-site rather than onsite parking. And if you don’t mind stowing your car a little further from the airport and hopping on a shuttle, it’s definitely cheaper.

And finally, booking your parking as far in advance as possible is always a smart move – the early bird catches the cheap Port Lincoln Airport parking worm.

Compare parking at Port Lincoln Airport

With 240 parking spaces split across short-term and long term (as well as an oversized lot), Port Lincoln Airport’s parking provision is generous.

And it’s been an ambitious hub since it was first built in 1941 as a military airfield during World War II and used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a training base for bomber crews.

Closed after the war but reopened in 1954 for civilian use, PLO originally had a gravel runway, but this was sealed in 1965 and the terminal building upgraded.

By the 1970s, the airport was a popular gateway for Eyre Peninsula tourists, as well as a vital station for the South Australian Flying Doctor Service.

And the airport was further upgraded in the 1980s, with a new runway and apron built, as well as an expansion for the terminal building. More refurbishments followed in the 2000s, when a new terminal and control tower were unveiled, and it has continued to grow steadily since.

What parking is there are Port Lincoln Airport?

When you’re looking for cost-efficient parking, comparison sites and apps are also worth considering.

Aggregator sites like Looking4Parking and APH are two of the best and they can sometimes offer savings of up to 50%. The sites are easy to use – simply enter your dates and compare deals from a wide range of parking providers.

Let’s take a look at a couple of the official PLO parking lots.

Port Lincoln Airport Car Park

Located directly in front of the terminal building, this official car park is a short walk from the check-in counters and security screening area. A safe, secure lot, it’s open 24/7.

Leisure Centre Car Park

Also situated a short hop from the terminal, the Leisure Centre Car Park is a covered lot which is perfect for protecting your vehicle in rain, wind or shine. It’s also open 24/7.

Getting to Port Lincoln Airport

PLO is pretty easy to drive to from nearby towns and cities.

Take Adelaide, for instance. Highway A1 and Lincoln Hwy/B100 is the fastest route, and it takes just under 7 hours (637km).

Wherever you’re driving from, be sure to build in plenty of time for your trip because traffic can be heavy during rush hours, always observe the speed limits and road code, and ensure your driver’s license and insurance is up to date.

Last but not least, fill up your tank before leaving and take plenty of rest stops around the way.

Facilities at Port Lincoln Airport

Port Lincoln Airport might be on the smaller side internationally, but it’s perfectly formed and has all the mod cons to make your pre-flight experience perfectly pleasant.

The passenger terminal is a well-ordered single-storey building which can process 200 passengers per hour and it features a security screening area, check-in counter, baggage claim and café.

There’s the usual apron for parking and loading, runway and fuel farm, plus hangar and control tower.

You’ll find ATMs throughout the terminal and free public Wi-Fi to check your emails and social platforms, plus there are several disabled facilities, including a hearing loop and disabled parking spaces, as well as accessible toilets.

When you’re peckish, the Eyre Lounge is definitely the place to be. A licensed café inside the terminal, it offers a wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as salads and sandwiches.

Meanwhile, shopping choices include the newsagent, with its selection of souvenirs, books, newspapers and magazines, and the gift shop, where you can bag bargain local crafts, Aussie-made products and airport merch. And don’t miss the Duty-Free shop when you want discounted alcohol and fancy fragrances.

We also shouldn’t forget that Port Lincoln Airport has a magnificent collection of public art, which greatly enhances its ambience. For example, one of the major pieces is the Eyre Peninsula Mosaic by Karen Carr. Depicting a bird's-eye view of Port Lincoln and the surrounding coastline, this simply stunning piece comprises thousands of small pieces of colored glass.

And another arty highlight is the First Nations Mural by Richards Family. Located on a pipeline near the airport terminal, it showcases the importance of water to the Indigenous owners of the Eyre Peninsula.