Port Lincoln, Australia

Capital City

With a population of just 14,404, Port Lincoln may seem an idyllic coastal town, but the reality is a persistent headache of bureaucracy and limited resources. The city functions as a regional center, but many state government functions are being withdrawn as they become centralized in Adelaide, 400 miles away. And despite the picturesque harbor, the lack of a reliable freshwater supply nearly prevented Port Lincoln from becoming the capital city in the 1830s. Those seeking the quiet life of a small Australian town may find Port Lincoln's charms outweighed by its practical challenges.