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South Australia is known for its long summers, wine, sparkling beaches and outback sites such as Coober Pedy. If you are planning on going on a road trip through the state you will also find a range of historical sites and townships. There are plenty of free campsites in SA where you can take a much needed rest, explore and recharge for the next leg of your journey.
Below are just a few that you might like to add to your itinerary, discover more South Australian camp sites with our App and comprehensive Camps Guidebooks.
TOP CAMPS fan Michael Lennon is an RV travel expert. He uses his CAMPS guides to find wonderful free camps and plan his trips.
In the little town of Mundoora located on a street between two councils sits the Mundoora Museum Caravan and Camping Park. You can stay by donation and the park accommodates, tents, trailers, caravans or motorhomes.
Eight Mile Creek & Birdhide – images courtesy District of Grant Council The Grant District council in SA have changed a day use only in the Port MacDonnell area to camping for self contained vehicles, as well as an extra bonus … The Day Use at Eight Mile Creek is now 72 hour free camping for self contained vehicles. There are now two sites here on either side of the inlet, the other is called Birdhide and is also 72 hours. Dry Creek Campground has river access A further spot closer to Port MacDonnell at Orwell Rocks is for 24
UPDATE May 2023: Coonalpyn Caravan Park is still free for unpowered camping, but with a fee for power & showers, using a pay wave system, and a great place to check out! Who doesn’t love a freebie! We have to give a shout out to Coorong District Council managing Coonalpyn Caravan Park also known as the Coonalpyn Soldiers Memorial Park. The park underwent some refurbishment earlier this year and council opted to charge no fees during that time, and have decided to continue that model for the time being and you will only pay as you use with a fee
Located 10 minutes from Paringa, this camping spot offers shade and great camping on the banks of the Murray River. There is a beautiful lookout close by and also a lot of decent fishing spots along the banks where campers are known to catch Callop, Carp, Yabbies and Golden Perch. If you go walk about you will most likely see a variety of wildlife such as pelicans, wrens, kangaroos and rosellas. In the warmer months you might even come across a snake, so keep an eye out to make sure you don’t get an unpleasant surprise. Don’t miss the lookout
Red Cliff Beach in SA, just 13 km south of Tumby Bay is pet friendly, with mobile coverage and a zero price and zero facilities. But you are rewarded with priceless views and abundant fishing! Fishing is best here at high tide off the points, and in the inlet. Said CAMPS Ambassador, Manda, “Daniel went fishing with a friend in his boat and they caught enough King George Whiting and squid to feed the family every lunch and dinner. Others were fishing off the rocks and spearfishing, both were also successful!” The southern end of Red Cliff is a beachfront camping area.
“We had traversed the Nullarbor 16 times before but never stayed at a camp site for more than one night. …after travelling in non-stop rain all day we crossed the WA/SA border and stopped at the 10K peg inside SA. The next morning we woke to find the rain had cleared and there was a beautiful, clear blue sky. The other campers spread over the large area headed off, we had the site to ourselves and so decided that we would chill out, enjoy the vista, have a fire and stay a second night. We live in such a lucky
For those travelling the Limestone Coast in South Australia, the Bellum Hotel at Mount Schank in SA is always happy to offer free camping. Located 12 km south of Mount Gambier on the Riddoch Highway (aka Bay Road); halfway between Mount Gambier and Port MacDonnell. The hotel is near the base of the Mount Schank volcanic crater and very close to Little Blue and Kilsby Sinkhole. Pet friendly, free camping is on the grassed area on the southern side of the hotel. They welcome self-contained travellers as there is no power or toilet facilities available when the hotel is closed.
Bob Cave has been sending me pictures since he was in Queensland, after lots more in NT – he is now in SA and was really impressed with Hancocks Lookout SA site 256 in CAMPS 11.
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