Just 30 minutes towards the coast outside of Mount Gambier, you get to Port MacDonnell. This little beachside town might seem unassuming as you arrive. It’s not just the stunning white limestone beaches that the locals love. It’s also one tasty thing this place is well known for. CRAY! Welcome to Port MacDonnell, the Southern Rock Lobster Capital of Australia.
Visiting Port MacDonnell
Once you are done visiting all of the popular Sinkholes in Mount Gambier, on the most southern point of South Australia is Port MacDonnell.
Just a 30-minute drive south of Mount Gambier, the little town of Port MacDonnell is famous for being Australia’s Southern Rock Lobster Capital. The statue on the jetty makes it clear that this place is about one thing, (a common name also for lobster) CRAY!
What is the difference between regular Lobster and Southern Rock Lobster?
When it comes to lobsters, Port MacDonnell and the surrounding areas along the Limestone Coast are the places for it. Southern Rock Lobster is said to be the best tasting lobster you can find in Australia.
This type of lobster has a distinct dark red, almost purple shell, and no claws, just long legs, spines and antennae’s that are much larger than a regular lobster. The meat is sweet, rich in flavour and quite firm. There is plenty of meat in the tail and a 1 kg lobster is sufficient for 2 people.
Things to do in Port MacDonnell
Relatively a small town, as you get to the water near the jetty, there are lots of signages explaining the history of Port MacDonnell, which was the site of many shipwrecks.
The Maritime Museum is a popular attraction in town and has lots of historical artefacts and details the history of the many shipwrecks along the coast.
The most well-known one (and not for good reasons) was the shipwreck of the SS Admella, which claimed most of its passengers and crew in 1859, after crashing into a reef at nearby Carpenter Rocks.
The beach in Port MacDonnell is a must see and a popular destinations during the warmer weather. A popular spot to swim is the Woolwash area, near the Port MacDonnell Foreshore Tourist Park.
The white, compact limestone sand is also great to drive on and Wollwash Beach has car access. This is just outside the main town centre of Port MacDonnell. To reach it, take Racecourse Bay in the direction of Eight Mile Creek Road) where you will pass The Penguins.
These penguin statues are made of local limestone, from there you can actually drive right onto the perfectly flat white beach and stop for a swim.
For kids, Port MacDonnell also has a new Jetty playground, which is very well equipped with slides, swings, a climbing frame, trampolines and an accessible liberty swing. BBQ facilities and shaded picnic tables are also available to have lunch. There are some fish and chips stores just across the road too.
Last but not least, Fishing is of course is a popular thing to do in the area and all along the Limestone Coast. Lots of people take boats out, and fishing can be done off the jetty and depending on the season, salmon, whiting, squid and garfish are popular catches.
Eating Lobster in Port MacDonnell
Because Cray/Lobster is so popular here, across town and on the main street you will see Rock Lobster for sale and advertised in the menus of most restaurants.
Local pizza restaurant Bay Pizzaria sells a delicious Cray Pizza for AUD 37. Salt and Tide Café are the other 2 popular spots for brunch & dining facing the sea.
You can also purchase Rock Lobster directly from the seafood stores. A popular one in Port MacDonnell is Five Star Seafoods. Here you will find cooked Lobster from AUD 75 per kilo during lobster season (October to May).
Attractions nearby Port Macdonnell
If you travel by car towards Frog Rock further up the coast, you will find Shelly Beach. Shelly Beach has a beautiful small beach with rock formations that you can walk across to to explore.
Continue on the coast to Cape Banks lighthouse for some great views of the Limestone Coast.
For other places to swim, the Little Blue Lake is just 15 minutes drive away in Mount Schank, on the way back to Mount Gambier.
Want to read more about the Limestone Coast?
You can read more about Mount Gambier in my other post! Most Popular Sinkholes and Volcano Craters to visit in Mount Gambier and Things to do in Mount Gambier with kids.
