By Samuel Smith
Published: Friday, February 19, 2021
It’s a fact: South Australia is jam-packed with stunning spots to pitch a tent and soak up the great outdoors.
For some, camping comes naturally, but others may need a helping hand before hitting the road. If you happen to fall into the second category, fear not.
With RAA Shop as our guide, we come to you with some nifty gear that’ll have you camping like a pro in no time. Our must-haves below are a great place to start.
From our rugged peninsulas to the scenic, rolling Adelaide Hills, SA is blessed with an abundance of camping spots where you can relax and reconnect with nature. With so many spectacular places to set up your home away from home, it can be hard to know where to start.
That’s why we’re here to help. Whether you want to roll out your sleeping bag to the sound of crashing waves or sleep under the shade of a river red gum, we’ve scouted the state for 5 of the best spots.
Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park is a sacred, 800-million-year-old landscape.
The epic peaks, canyons and gorges of this land are home to the Adnyamathanha people, and tell their stories. Nestled between river red gums, native pines and abundant wildlife, with Wilpena Pound looming above, lies the Wilpena Pound Campground.
Located within the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, it features 40 powered campsites suitable for caravans, campervans, camper-trailers and tents, as well as more than 300 unpowered bush campsites.
An hour-and-a-half’s drive from Adelaide, The Coorong offers a cocktail of wild and woolly Southern Ocean coastline, native birdlife, great fishing, camping spots, walking and 4-wheel driving trails. Of all the spots to set up tent, 42-Mile Crossing is the most reliable for year-round access.
It’s family friendly, offering a grassy area perfect for kids to run amok, as well as toilets, picnic tables and a walking trail that takes you right to the beach.
Vivonne Bay’s surreal white sand and clear water once earned it the title of Australia’s best beach. Spend some quality time in its company by setting up camp, just steps away from the lapping shoreline.
Fill your days exploring the U-shaped bay, playing beach cricket, paddling in the shallows or surfing. By night, fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean. Vivonne Bay Campground has both powered and unpowered sites, caravan access, toilets and showers, barbecue and picnic facilities and is pet friendly.
Set in the picture book-like surrounds of Kuitpo Forest, Chookarloo holds happy memories for many South Aussie kids.
There are towering pines, enormous gums and of course a range of trails running through the forest made for walking and bike riding. With 23 sites available, the campground also offers timber shelters, fire pits, picnic tables, toilets and rainwater.
Innes National Park is a gloriously untouched part of South Australia, and one of our top picks among the park’s 8 campgrounds is beautiful Browns Beach. Sheltered behind dunes, just a hop, skip and jump away from the surf, the grounds feature shady sites, suitable for tents only.
This picturesque little slice of camping bliss is a great getaway if you’re a keen walker or a pro at dropping a line (salmon fishing is popular in these parts).