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Best free camping spots in the Flinders Ranges
Words Hema Maps Editorial Pics Supplied
Free camping is a budget-friendly way to get closer to nature and what better place to start than in the breathtaking Flinders Ranges. Find out what makes this such a great place.
Flinders Ranges National Park (Credit: Adobe Stock)
The Flinders Ranges in South Australia has a great deal to offer, including spectacular sights, challenging 4WD tracks, walking trails, beautiful mountain ranges and magnificent native wildlife. It’s the perfect place to learn about Aboriginal art and culture, with art on display at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park. The region also has many activities on offer for families with children.
If you’re after a four-wheel driving adventure, the Flinders Ranges has you covered. Trails include the Arkapena 4WD Scenic Adventure and the Arden Hills 4WD track.
It’s a great spot for a camping trip and what better way to camp than to free camp? There are several camps in the region, each with different facilities and offerings only a short walk away. Please keep in mind that not all sites permit tents or camper trailers, so you will need to pick the right ones. Fortunately, Hema has done the research for you, so all you need to do is pack your 4WD and enjoy your holiday!
Chinaman’s Creek
(Chinaman’s Creek Road, Miranda, SA)
This free camp features beautiful views, a drop-toilet facility, fishing, walking trails, camper trailers, tents and caravans. Swimming is permitted.
Hookina Ruins
(Barndioota Road, Hawker, SA)
Don’t want to leave Rover at home? This free camping area allows pets. Located near the Three Sisters Range, it also permits caravans, tents and camper trailers. This campsite does not have phone reception so keep this in mind when planning your travels.
Ruins of the Hookina Hotel (Credit: Ron Moon)
Lawrie Park
(Flinders View Drive, Nelshaby, SA)
This camp also permits pets. It offers toilets, drinking water, barbecue, picnic tables and walking trails. Fires are allowed, however only caravans are permitted to enter.
Lawrie Park campground
Ippinitchie Campground
(Forest Road, Wirrabara, SA)
This free campsite offers toilets and permits pets. Fires are allowed and caravans, camper trailers and tents are all welcome.
Parachilna Gorge Campground
(Parachilna Gorge Road, Parachilna, SA)
Pets are permitted at this free campsite, which allows tents, caravans and camper trailers. Please note there are no facilities at this campsite, however a short drive down the road leads you to Angorichina Tourist Village that has a shop and public toilets.
Campsite at the Parachilna Gorge, west of Blinman
Horrocks Pass Bush Camp
(Horrocks Pass Rd, Nectar Brook, SA)
Fires are permitted at this free camp, and you are most welcome to bring pets. This site allows caravans, camper trailers and tents.
Glass Gorge
(Unnamed Road, Blinman, SA)
This free camp permits pets and fires. It also offers numerous 4WD trails.
Related articles:
Exploring Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Australia’s 5 most iconic outback pubs
Hema’s guide to outback travel and survival
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8 comments
Absolutely beautiful place to visit, the wife and I were there late April/early May.
The South end of the Flinders is mostly paid camping but if you do your homework there are plenty of free camp if you want to explore, I used my HX2 and found it to be very handy to finding free camps, points of interest etc. (along with Wiki camps, sorry)
If you want to do off road trekking, I highly recommend the HX2.
Please note that Glass Gorge Road runs through private property and the tracks are not free camping beyond spaces very near the main road. Camping with permission is possible but please note that the area along the road is baited (as required by the state government) and can be dangerous for dogs. Please do not cut down trees for firewood – thank you
Thank you for this info.
Thanks for the info re free camping in Flinders Ranges. Could you simply add the gps coordinates please
Regards David
Much of the Flinders Ranges is not free camping if you take into account the entry permit which is around $11 per day. Station stays are more expensive but often offer facilities which make them very enticing.
Some pics of these sites would have been nice. And the last mentioned site does not mention camping options ie camper trailer/caravan .
Great information … fantastic photo at the top of the page … but why 7 more of the same?!
Hello,
Interesting article, but did you really mean for all the pictures to be the same? It would have been nice to see a picture from each of the free camps.
Janice