Feature Image: Alma’s Hem Amphitheatre and Farm Stay. (Hipcamp).
South Australia’s camping scene has earned some serious recognition, with 12 spots across the state named among Australia’s best places to camp in the 2026 Hipcamp Awards.
From a vineyard in McLaren Vale and a cherry farm in the Adelaide Hills to working farms, secluded bush blocks and sprawling country properties, the South Australian winners stretch across some of Australia’s best weekend-away territory.
Hipcamp’s annual awards are based on a year of real bookings, ratings and reviews, with the platform analysing stays across more than 500,000 campsites before selecting its winners.
Among the South Australian properties recognised is Alma’s Hem Amphitheatre Retreat at Inman Valley, where campers can pitch up across open farmland surrounded by rolling hills, dams and plenty of wildlife. The property offers access to toilets and an outdoor kitchen, while the Heysen Trail is close by for those looking to explore on foot.
Noorla Farm (Happy Camping Ground) (Hipcamp).
Edgehill Farm Stays at Riverton also made the list, offering a classic country escape among rolling hills and sheep paddocks. There’s a restored shepherd’s hut on the property and easy access to the Heysen Trail, while evenings can be spent watching the valley change colour at sunset.
At Perkender in Rockleigh, the experience is similarly relaxed, with sheep grazing nearby and wide-open paddocks creating a peaceful base for a night around the fire.
The full South Australian line-up also includes Hay Valley Farm at Hay Valley, Heggies Hill Bush Camp at Tarcowie, Cartapo Creek Farm Stay at Hallett, Humble Farm at Mount Pleasant, Woodland Scrub at Bowhill, Breakaway Farmstay at Waitpinga, Stone’s Summertown Cherry Farm at Summertown, Six Strings McLaren Vale Vineyard at Aldinga and Noorla Farm at McHarg Creek.
Cartapo Creek Farm Stay. (Hipcamp).
There was extra recognition for Cartapo Creek Farm Stay, which was also named among Hipcamp’s Best Farmstays in Australia for 2026, putting the Hallett property on the national list alongside farm stays from around the country.
To qualify for this year’s awards, properties needed at least 10 bookings from 10 different campers and 10 ratings during the 365 days through August 2026. At least 90 per cent of campers also needed to recommend the property, with the same proportion saying their stay met or exceeded expectations. Hipcamp then considered ratings, the sentiment of reviews and other factors before its team selected the final winners.
With destinations spanning the Fleurieu Peninsula, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley region and beyond, the list offers plenty of inspiration for anyone planning their next South Australian camping trip.
