I always enjoy cycling in Port Lincoln, but most of all I love the Investigator Trail between North Shields and the Port Lincoln city limit. The seven kilometre clifftop path provides stunning views across Boston Bay towards Boston Island.
On this occasion, I planned to cycle to the Port Lincoln Marina and back from our caravan park in North Shields.
Investigator Trail – North Shields to Port Lincoln City Limit
The George Dorward Memorial Reserve, opposite the North Shields jetty, is a good place to start on the Investigator Trail as there is plenty of parking and public toilets.
The first three kilometres are on the former road.
Boston Bay and Boston Island are on the left while there are glimpses of Port Lincoln ahead.
After the first three kilometres, the Investigator Trail narrows.
While there are not many pedestrians on the trail, you have to watch out on the corners, just in case.
The Investigator Trail ends at the city limit sign.
The Parnkalla Trail
From there the Parnkalla Trail continues for the next four kilometres to the city.
The Parnkalla Trail is a walking trail and is not intended for shared use. It is very narrow in places. Fortunately there is a reasonable bike lane on the road from there to the city.
As you arrive in the town centre, the wheat export terminal is an iconic part of the Port Lincoln skyline.
I stopped briefly at the jetty and noticed these young cyclists enjoying the sunshine.
At the southern end of the esplanade, the Parnkalla Trail continues on, skirting around the silos. The path is quite wide and safe here.
Soon the trail passes this old jetty. Some fisherman were enjoying the access to deeper water.
From here the Parnkalla Trail makes its way through the silo complex. You have to take care and follow large yellow footprints to stay on track.
After the wheat silos, I continued to follow the Parnkalla Trail, but it became increasingly narrow. Eventually at Slipway Road I left the trail and followed Luguna Drive through to the Marina and past the fishing trawlers.
It was getting warm and I certainly was ready for my cold drink at the Marina Hotel.
The Marina to North Shields
On the way back, I took the road directly to the town centre. I was flagging a bit, so I stopped again, for coffee this time. Cafe Del Giorno is justifiably famous but I am also a fan of The Rogue and Rascal, also on the waterfront.
Before long I was back on the Investigator Trail, enjoying an undulating roll back to the caravan park.
I had cycled 35 kilometres and climbed 390 metres.
On the north-western side of the Eyre Peninsula, the Cape Bauer loop is an exciting dirt road trail, while to the east on the Yorke Peninsula, you can cycle sections of Walk the Yorke.
