Unless you’re talking about some forced school trips and a two-night stay in a swag at Schoolies, I’ve never really camped. So you can imagine my nerves when I started dating a classic outdoorsy type of guy.
Turns out that I’ve been missing out for years and literally overnight I became camping’s number ONE fan. It’s an incredibly simple way to remember that the greatest things in life are the people you’re with and the natural world that we live in — it doesn’t hurt to add a glass of wine and some chilled music… bliss! Waking up to a sunrise over the ocean was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever had and I’ll remember it forever — so you can see why I’m suddenly an addict.
To feed this new-found obsession, we’ve been throwing around ideas of places to visit. I figured while doing my own research, I’d make YOUR research a little easier, too.
Here are all the beautiful places to camp and glamp (you can’t take the glamp out of me that easily) in SA that caught my eye and found a place on my bucket list. Now I just need another 47 free weekends to explore them all!
GLAMPING
Scott’s Creek Retreat
Byrne’s Vineyards — Scotts Creek Riverland
https://byrnevineyards.com.au/
Seafront Eco Glamping Tents
Kangaroo Island
https://seafrontholidaypark.com.au/luxury-tents
Wilpena Pound Resort
Flinders Ranges
Bellwether Wines
Coonawarra Wine Region, Limestone Coast
https://www.bellwetherwines.com.au/pages/camping
Burkirk Glamping
Clare Valley
Flinders Bush Retreats
Flinders Ranges
https://flindersbushretreats.com.au/
Tanunda Discovery Parks
Barossa
Glamping Boongarrie
Barossa
https://www.boongarrie.com.au/
CAMPING
Wilpena Pound
Flinders Ranges
Cable Bay Campground
Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/dhilba-guuranda-innes-national-park
Coorong National Park
Coorong, Limestone Coast
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/coorong-national-park
Vivonne Bay
Kangaroo Island
https://sacommunity.org/org/199374-Vivonne_Bay_Camping_Ground
Talia Caves
Eyre Peninsula
https://southaustralia.com/products/eyre-peninsula/attraction/talia-caves
Kuitpo Forest
Fleurieu Peninsula
https://www.forestrysa.com.au/accommodation/
American River Campground
Eastern Cove, Kangaroo Island
Brown Beach Campground
Nepean Bay, Kangaroo Island
http://www.findacamp.com.au/camp-site.php?camp=1093
Emu Bay Campground
Emu Bay, Kangaroo Island
https://southaustralia.com/products/kangaroo-island/accommodation/emu-bay-camp-ground
Moonta Bay Holiday Park
Moonta Bay, Yorke Peninsula
https://www.moontabayholidaypark.com.au/
Cohen Rest Area
Penonga, Eyre Peninsula
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cohen-Rest-Area/213762472556013
Lake Leake Campground
Mount Gambier, Limestone Coast
https://www.mountgambierpoint.com.au/attractions/lake-leake/
Mallee Fowl Restaurant and Camp
Monash, Riverland
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/coorong-national-park/booking/71645
Woodhouse Activity Centre
Piccadilly
Rapid Bay Campground
Rapid Bay
http://www.freecampingaustralia.com.au/free-camps/south-australia/rapid-bay-campground.html
Stringybark Campground
Deep Creek Conservation Park
https://www.weekendnotes.com/stringybark-campground-deep-creek-conservation-park/
Little Dip Conservation Park / Old Man Campsite
Robe, Limestone Coast
Big 4 Holiday Parks
Check out all the SA options HERE.
Discovery Parks
Check out all SA options HERE.
Tips
- Research your campsite so you know what to expect — you don’t want to leave the toilet paper at home and then discover there are no on-site bathrooms!
- Check whether the campsite is pet-friendly before packing the dog, cat and turtle.
- Do some reading on the area you’re in so you know whether to look out for natural dangers, like a poisonous plant… or snake. Eek.
- Don’t have a fire if you’re unsure of the fire bans in the area.
- Run through an itinerary of what you’re planning… a fire, dinner, drinks… and then pack accordingly. It can be SO annoying to arrive and realise you don’t have a bottle opener or a pack of matches.
- Leave only your footprints behind. We’re so lucky in SA to have such pristine and naturally beautiful landscape to explore — let’s keep it that way by respecting the environment and taking your rubbish with you.
- Always be prepared for mosquitoes — they can ruin your trip if you get bitten in the first hour.
- Keep some clean drinking water with you, just in case you get caught out.
- Before you hit the road, check out registered campsites and any associated fees — you can check HERE.
