It’s the four-day weekend we’ve all been waiting for! Easter is upon us, and nothing says Easter weekend in Australia like a good old-fashioned camping trip.
We live in a beautiful part of the world, and there’s no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than packing a few essentials and getting out there. From shady outback creeks to sunny beaches and dense forests with hidden waterfalls, our wonderful state has it all.
Whether you want to escape from the modern world to go swimming and play cards on a remote beach, or glamp in luxury with air-conditioning and wifi, Glam’s guide to the best SA camping has you covered. Wherever you decide to go, just make sure you remember the mozzie spray!
Kuitpo Forest, Fleurieu Peninsula
The stunning Kuitpo Forest boasts an insane 3,600 hectares of plantation and native bushland, so you can pitch your tent surrounded by Eucalypt woodland. The main campground, Chookarloo, is 1.5km from the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre and is a great central location for families and hikers exploring the Heysen and Chookarloo trails. At this location, 23 campsites await with shelters, rainwater, a pit toilet and picnic areas to make your camping trip as comfortable as possible.
Limestone Coast
This beautiful location is a 4 hour journey from the city making it the perfect escape from the city smoke but not too far away that you have to spend too long in the car. Surround yourself with nature as old as Adelaide with 400-year-old red gum trees as far as the eye can see. This location boasts some stunning glamping tents if you’re looking for a camping trip with a little bit of pizzaz. There is an amenities building on site with showers, toilets and a claw foot bath. Grab your blankets and smores making kit and head over to the fire pit as you take in the stunning views of the heart of Mount Gambier at Pine Country Caravan Park.
Perlubie Beach Campground, Eyre Peninsula
They Eyre Peninsula is one of the most breathtaking locations to visit in SA and is ranked amongst the best views in Australia, this picturesque location is perfect for your next weekend away in the wilderness. Set up on the long beaches covered in white sand and gaze over the clear blue beaches as you unwind with the ocean view one way and the stunning tree-lined landscape the other way. This is also a family-friendly camping spot where seafood lovers of all ages can pull out the gas bottle and mini bbq to grill up some freshly caught crab or snapper. Perlubie Beach campground offers clean flushing toilets, 4WD access and offers a booking system online, guests can pre-book for a fee of $20 per van per night.
Rapid Bay
The beautiful turquoise waters of Rapid Bay have seduced many day-trippers, but with a campsite right by the beach, why would you ever leave? The jetty is perfect for fishing or just to watch the sunset, and if you bring a snorkel you might discover some amazing marine life, Rapid Bay is the leafy sea dragon capital of the world.
Deep Creek
There are a bunch of campsites in Deep Creek Conservation Park, but you won’t find one with better views than Tapanappa. Whether you’re driving in or hiking a section of the Heysen trail, dramatic clifftop vistas await at this campsite, which has trails to discover unspoiled beaches, dramatic waterfalls, and plentiful wildlife.
Innes National Park
At the bottom tip of Yorke Peninsula, the beaches of Innes are definitely no longer a secret, but there are still some gems to be found. Rugged limestone cliffs separate bays with shimmering blue waters and there are great surf spots in the area. Pondalowie is the biggest campground with over 50 sites scattered through the scrub near a beautiful beach. Or if you don’t feel like pitching a tent, you can always book accommodation in one of the historic lodges in the National Park.
Mt Remarkable
You don’t have to leave paved roads to get to the heart of the bush at Mambray Creek. With over 50 sites among the beautiful river red gums and full facilities (including hot showers), it’s the perfect getaway if you don’t want to rough it too much. Kangaroos and emus wander through the site regularly, and if you’re feeling energetic there’s a network of walking trails heading out, including the spectacular Alligator Gorge.
Kangaroo Island
This picturesque location has just been announced as one of the greatest places in the world by Time Magazine on its annual World’s Greatest Places of 2023 list. There are plenty of shady spots on either bank of the Chapman River as it empties into the ocean. The tidal river is home to plentiful fish and waterbirds, but it’s also great for kids to swim in. If you can bring a kayak along, why not dip the paddle in and head all the way down to Antechamber Bay, where you can pull up on the long sweep of pristine beach. And did we mention that Chapman River Wines has their cellar door just around the corner?
Murray River
If you’re after a river experience that doesn’t involve blaring stereos and revving motors at daybreak, then look no further. Just 35 km from Renmark, majestic river red gums line the river, and goannas dart about the floodplain at Chowilla Game Reserve. There are no facilities, but because the river is quite shallow here there are no big boats or water skiers. That means you’ll probably have the whole place to yourself as you unwind and say “how’s the serenity!”.
Lincoln National Park
50km past Port Lincoln sits Memory Cove, and if you’ve ever been there you’ll know it’s worth the drive. The water looks like it’s been treated with an Instagram filter and sea lions and dolphins frolic in the stunningly beautiful bay. You need to book in advance and bring a 4WD for that campsite, but there are plenty of other spots throughout the park that are easier to access. The whole area is a haven for native wildlife and seabirds and if you need a night of comfort, you can even stay in the preserved former lighthouse keeper’s quarters at Donnington Cottage.
Wilpena Pound
If you want to really treat yourself, try one of the 15 luxury safari tents at Wilpena Pound Resort. A deluxe king-size bed is just the start at SA’s premier glamping destination as each tent has its own private deck, ensuite and they even have air-conditioning to keep you cool. Co-Managed by the Adnyamathanha traditional owners, the Wilpena Pound Resort also offers a range of incredible activities and if you’d prefer something a little more rustic, there are also regular campsites available.
Coward Springs
A literal desert oasis, this wetland on the Oodnadatta track even has date palms to complete the look. It’s definitely off the beaten track, so it’s only for the most dedicated camping enthusiasts. But, with camel safaris, unique mound springs and even an outdoor spa fed by the bores, this romantic setting is the perfect place to live out an Arabian Nights fantasy.
Your backyard
Sometimes you don’t have time to get away for a few days. Sometimes it’s just too hard to say goodbye to the comforts of modern life like frozen margaritas and the latest episode of ‘Bridgerton’. That’s what backyard camping is for. You can still lay under the stars and tell ghost stories with the added bonus that if that damned inflatable mattress leaks all night, you can always quietly sneak back to a real bed and get a good night’s sleep.
It’s the perfect time to pack the car and take a drive to get back into nature for a little piece of serenity and the Autumn sunshine.
More News
