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Free and budget campsites: South Australia
Words Julija Zivanovic Pics Supplied
Welcome to part four of our free and budget camping spots series by state — this time we’re covering beautiful South Australia. Keep reading to discover some awesome destinations that you can earmark for your next road trip.
Just a small portion of the epic Flinders Ranges in outback South Australia
If you missed the first (Queensland), second (Northern Territory) and third (Western Australia) parts of this series, just hit the corresponding links to catch up. Otherwise, welcome to part four where we’ll cover the best free and budget campsites of our country’s driest state, South Australia. If you’re after beautiful beaches, rustic outback experiences and everything in between, then look no further than SA for your next camping adventure.
South Australia regions
South Australia — known for its diverse natural beauty, dry climate, world-famous wine regions, picturesque beaches and the incredible Flinders Ranges — is made up of 12 regions.
As can be seen on the map above, these are known as the Flinders Ranges and Outback, Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, Riverland, Murraylands, Limestone Coast, Adelaide, Adelaide Hills and the Fleurieu Peninsula. We’ll try to cover most of these as we delve into some of SA’s best free and budget-friendly camping spots.
Camping grounds
Acraman Campground, Flinders Ranges and Outback
This secluded camping ground in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is a six-hour drive north of Adelaide, set between two mountain ranges and endless native pine trees. This is a great place to unwind from the city life and enjoy activities such as bushwalking, four-wheel driving and visiting iconic landmarks in the area such as Bunyeroo Gorge.
Enjoy the serenity at one of only four unpowered campsites (five people max.) and ensure you book well in advance to secure your spot via the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia website. Facilities are minimal — just a long drop toilet and water tank (NPWS cannot guarantee consistent water quality and supply), so campers must be fully self-sufficient. Although you technically don’t need a four-wheel drive vehicle to access this camp, we highly recommend it due to the condition of some roads in the area. Fees are low at $17 per car per night.
Contact: parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-park or 08 8648 0048
Black Springs, Eyre Peninsula
Taking in the serenity at Black Springs camping ground in Coffin Bay National Park
This campground in Coffin Bay National Park on the Eyre Peninsula is a popular spot for its stunning coastal scenery and activities. Located approximately 8.5 hours (by car) west of Adelaide (the drive due to the lay of the land actually takes you northwest and then southwest), Black Springs campground has limited facilities, but the lack thereof is certainly made up for by the natural beauty of the area you’ll find yourself in.
The remote, sandy beach the campsite is found on offers swimming, fishing, birdwatching, kayaking and more. There are eight unpowered campsites (five people max.) at this location which needs to be booked in advance via the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia website. Facilities include not much but a long drop toilet and a picnic table, so campers must be fully self-sufficient. Access is only possible by 4WD vehicle.
*FREEBIE* Purnong Reserve, Murraylands
This free, riverside camping area nestled on the Murray is just under two hours east of Adelaide by car. It’s a tranquil spot that offers beautiful views over the Murray River and countless opportunities to spot all sorts of wildlife. There is a ferry crossing nearby, so there is some action, but for the most part you can expect a serene environment to use as a base for other bush/river-based activities.
There is plenty of room to find a campsite but please be advised that the basic amenities are limited to a toilet (which is approx. 50m up a hill) and rubbish bins, so all campers must be self-contained including water. All conventional vehicles can access this camping ground.
Contact: 08 8569 0100
Caravan parks
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Flinders Ranges and Outback
This incredible camping location deep in the South Australian outback is famous for its stunning scenery and various wildlife all while maintaining a very fair price. Arkaroola is approximately an eight-hour drive northeast of Adelaide, just north of Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park.
There is plenty of space here, with 50 powered sites on offer as well as 300ha of bush-setting campgrounds set among rocky cliffs on a meandering creek. Bookings are not necessary for unpowered camping but are for the 50 powered sites. Facilities are generous, including a full camp kitchen with fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, gas barbecues and undercover seating, shower and toilets block, coin-operated laundry and swimming pool. There are also bunkhouses and cabins available.
Fees apply and while a 4WD is not required to enter this area it is highly recommended.
Contact: Arkaroola.com.au or 08 8648 4848
Brighton Caravan Park, Adelaide
This beachfront holiday park is only a 30-minute drive southwest of Adelaide CBD, set on the beautiful Brighton Beach known for being very family-friendly and safe, plus is a great spot for fishing. There are many accommodation options available, including a variety of villas, cabins and budget options. There are also many beachfront camping sites — powered, unpowered, premium, grass and slab — suitable for caravans, motorhomes, fifth wheelers and tent camping.
The park features a fully equipped camp kitchen with hotplates, fridges and microwaves, toilet and shower blocks, barbecues, free wi-fi, laundry and dump point. There are also pet-friendly caravan sites available (conditions apply). All conventional vehicles can access the park and fees apply.
Contact: brightonholidaypark.com.au or 08 8377 0833
Port Broughton Caravan Park, Yorke Peninsula
Waterside camping in Port Broughton (Credit BIG4 Holiday Parks)
Towards the top of the Yorke Peninsula, opposite the beautiful Munderoo Bay, this coastal holiday park is sure to impress with its countless facilities and activities. Only a two-hour drive northwest of Adelaide, there is plenty to see and do in this region, including exploring the southern Flinders Ranges, Clare Valley wineries and the Copper Coast towns of Moonta Bay, Wallaroo and Kadina.
Accommodation options are many, including budget cabins, ensuite cabins, deluxe self-contained villas and sites for all sized caravans, RVs, camper trailers and tents. There’s plenty of options for family fun, including a nine-hole mini golf course, jumping pillow, pump track for bikes and scooters, swimming pool, toddler pool, ninja playground, go-karts and waterslides.
Park facilities are numerous, with clean amenities, laundry, well-equipped camp kitchens — inc. barbecues and gas pizza ovens — free wi-fi, tennis court, dump point and kiosk, just to name a few. All conventional vehicles can access the park and fees apply.
Contact: portbroughtontouristpark.com.au or 08 8635 2188
Bush camps
Barkers Rocks, Yorke Peninsula
Located just two and a half hours drive west of Adelaide (the drive due to the lay of the land actually takes you northwest and then southwest), this bush camp a stone’s throw from the beach is popular for swimming, fishing and many walking trails and 4WD tracks. There are two sections to the campground — the left fork takes you to a few sites that share the day access area (opposite the beach), and the right takes you to a more secluded camping area behind dunes.
This bush camp is suitable for tents, camper trailers and all RVs — including big rigs — with multiple large sites available. Being a bush camp, there isn’t much in the way of facilities, bar toilets and a dump point, so campers must ensure they’re fully self-sufficient. All conventional vehicles can access the park, and fees apply ($20 per car per night).
Contact: visityorkepeninsula.com.au/camping or 08 8832 0000
Casuarina Campground, Yorke Peninsula
Catching an epic SA sunset at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, about 7km away from Casuarina Campground (Credit Robert Crack)
This campground only a short walk to the beautiful Pondalowie Bay beach is popular for surfing, swimming and sighting incredible sea life such as dolphins and sea lions. Located three and a half hours drive southwest of Adelaide (the drive due to the lay of the land actually takes you northwest and then southwest) at the bottom of the Eyre Peninsula, this is the perfect place to enjoy beach life.
There are 10 unpowered sites available (max. five people) — some suitable for tents and some for both tents and camper trailers but no caravans/big rigs etc. — and booking in advance is required via the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia booking system. Facilities only go as far as a long drop toilet so you must be self-sufficient, inc. water. Fees apply ($25.80 per site per night), and all conventional vehicles can access the bush camp.
*FREEBIE* Voakes Hill Corner, Flinders Ranges and Outback
This free camping area a whopping 17 hours northwest of Adelaide (by car) gives you the opportunity to experience the South Australian outback on a budget. Located on the famous Anne Beadell Highway near to Mamungari Conservation Park, this bush camp offers several open, sandy spaces suitable for tents and swags.
There are no designated campsites so there is no booking system — availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Please be advised that a 4WD vehicle is required to access the camp and all campers must be fully self-contained as there are no facilities here.
Overnight rest areas
*FREEBIE* Frank Potts Reserve, Fleurieu Peninsula
This fantastic (and free!) roadside camping area only an hour’s drive southeast of Adelaide is suitable for camping, caravans and self-contained motorhomes. Sitting right next to the flowing Bremer River, popular activities in the region include visiting nearby wineries (Kimbolton is right next door), bushwalking and four-wheel driving.
Facilities are limited to toilets and picnic areas, so campers must ensure they have enough food and drinking water. The governing body (Alexandria Council) mandates that stays must be limited to 72 hours at this rest stop, although it’s certainly tempting to stay longer considering the beautiful surrounds and zero fees. All conventional vehicles can access this camping area.
Greenock Centenary Park, Barossa Valley
This overnight rest area located just an hour’s drive north of Adelaide in the famous Barossa Valley offers tranquil camping beside a cricket ground (restrictions apply during cricket season). This space is primarily for caravans and RVs; however, you can stay in a tent if you first ask for permission from the park management committee (0409 177 657).
Amenities include toilets, drinking water and barbecue areas — but not much else. Fees are very low at $5 per vehicle per night, and you must not stay longer than seven days at this location. All conventional vehicles can access the camping area.
*FREEBIE* Tarlee Oval, Clare Valley
This free overnight rest area is only an hour’s drive north of Adelaide in the wine region of Clare Valley. The campground within the town of Tarlee is RV friendly and perfect for self-contained travellers who need a basic place to stay. There are both powered and unpowered campsites, however the powered ones incur a fee of $10 per vehicle per night whereas the unpowered sites are free.
Facilities are limited to toilets, picnic tables, drinking water and a playground nearby. All conventional vehicles can access the camping area.
Get your copy today!
If you enjoyed learning about SA’s best free and budget camping spots and would like more information on each of the above (and more!) grab a copy of Hema’s Where to Camp Guide Australia available on the Hema Maps website and at leading outdoor retailers.
This guidebook was prepared in collaboration with the CMCA, Australia’s largest RV club. Listings are categorised as camping grounds, caravan parks, bush camps and overnight rest areas so you can easily determine which is right for you and your family.
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