The Tunarama Festival began in 1960 and is primarily aimed at the family market, with free entertainment, competitions and contests being organised for all age groups. Traditionally the Tunarama Festival has been held over the Australia Day long weekend with the original idea to help promote the tuna Industry which was just emerging in Port Lincoln.
This date also coincided with the fishing fleet putting to sea. Nowadays, with increased technology and the advent of the aquaculture industry, (which has seen the end of the tuna poling method) the tuna fishing operations in Port Lincoln have changed, but the Festival has remained and is in its 49th year.
The Tunarama Festival is organised by Port Lincoln Tunarama Incorporated and overseen by a Board, a hard working committee, funded 100% by sponsorship, grants and donations from businesses, tourism bodies and the local council with dozens of volunteers all assisting to help make the Festival come alive.
So whatever you are doing in January, come and experience Tunarama, and make sure you don’t miss one of South Australia's biggest and most popular events - the Tunarama Festival.
Favourite events which take place during the festival:
- Tuna Toss Competition
- The Annual Tunarama Street Procession
- Grand Slam Challenge: Fun Run, Triathlon and Swim-thru
- Grand Tasman Hotel Beach Babe & Boardies Competition
- Club Marine Sailpast & Blessing Of The Fleet
- Fireworks Display
- Sarin Group Gala Awards
- The ever popular Slippery Pole Competition
To see a sample of events and activities held in 2010, please go to the 2010 program.
The head of the crowd pleasers would have to be the World Champion Tuna Toss Competition.
This event attracts competitors travelling from far and wide in an effort to gain the coveted title or to at least "have a go" at winning a slice of the cash prizes.
The world record for this event is 37.23 metres set in 1998 by ex Olympic Hammer Thrower, Sean Carlin.
The weight of the tuna for this event is approx 8 -10 kilos for both Men and Women.
If you are interested in being a siteholder at the next Tunarama, please take a look on our Downloads page.
