It’s time to pack the car and take a backcountry break this weekend. We’ve compiled a list of our top 4 camping spots on the Fleurieu Peninsula to help guide you on your way.
The Fleurieu Peninsula has a plentitude of natural beauty. Embraced by the coast, lakes, waterways, and stunning interior ranges, the landscape, and seascapes are what make this region a natural wonderland.
Whether you intend to roll out a swag in dense eucalypt forests or pitch an eight-person tent overlooking a white sandy beach, there’s something for every camper in our incredibly diverse peninsula. What’s even better about our region is the accessibility, the Fleurieu allows you to go camping less than two hours from the City of Adelaide
PINK GUM CAMPGROUND – ONKAPARINGA RIVER NATIONAL PARK – 45 MINUTES FROM ADELAIDE
Onkaparinga River National Park is a magnificent national park offering diverse hiking trails, permanent rock pools, and breathtaking clifftop views. Situated in the eastern corner of the park, the Pink Gum Campground makes camping especially convenient for city dwellers. It’s the closest place to Adelaide that you can stay in a national park run campground. Just a short 45-minute drive from the city, you’ll find this gorgeous campsite right across the road from some of McLaren Vale’s most popular wineries and vineyards. Surrounded by towering gum trees, this campground is sure to become your family favourite.
Pink Gum Campground offers 11 campsites of varying sizes depending on your group, with access to modern communal toilet facilities.
Camping Fee: $17 night, per vehicle. Book Now.
STRINGYBARK CAMPGROUND – DEEP CREEK NATIONAL PARK – 90 MINUTES FROM ADELAIDE
Set amongst a stunning stringybark Eucalyptus forest, the Stringybark Campground is a haven for bushwalkers and nature lovers. The valleys of dense bushland and rugged coastline offer an extensive network of walking trails and some of the best coastal views in the country. Located in Deep Creek National Park, it is the largest portion of the remaining natural vegetation on the Fleurieu Peninsula. It’s home to an array of native wildlife such as western grey kangaroos, short-beaked echidnas, and 100 species of birds that can be heard and seen while walking in the park.
This campground has 16 sites in total, all varying in size. There are toilets, a kitchen sink, and hot showers available. Perfect for a weekend family adventure. As a fan favourite, these grounds can get full very quickly, so if you are planning to visit, make sure you book ahead to secure a spot.
Camping Fee: $29 per night, per vehicle. Book Now.
WAITPINGA CAMPGROUND – NEWLAND HEAD CONSERVATION PARK – 70 MINUTES FROM ADELAIDE
Located on the southern coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Waitpinga Campground in the Newland Head Conservation Park is a popular spot for avid surfers, fishers, and hikers. The park protects two long beaches, Waitpinga and Parsons, as well as rocky headlands and surrounding coastal vegetation. Follow the walking trails while you’re here and be treated to views along the rolling hills and rugged cliffs of Waitpinga Creek, Encounter Bay, the Pages in Backstairs Passage, and Kangaroo Island.
After a day of beach fishing, set up camp and enjoy the distant sound of waves rolling onto the beach. Waitpinga Campground has 15 unpowered sites available with toilets and a large communal gas barbecue area provided.
Camping Fee: $22.50 per night, per vehicle. Book Now.
CHOOKARLOO – KUITPO FOREST – 45 MINUTES FROM ADELAIDE
This is one of the best camping spots in South Australia. Pitch the tent surrounded by eucalypt woodland after a day exploring the 3,600 hectares of plantation and native bushland of the Kuitpo Forest. Chookarloo, the main campground, lies 1.5 km from the Kuitpo Forest Information Centre. It's the ideal base for families and hikers traversing the walking trails of Heysen and Chookarloo.
On your doorstep, the world-famous wines of McLaren Vale, and post-card-worthy beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula await. 23 campsites, tents, rainwater, a pit toilet, and picnic areas can be found here.
Please note: Camping is permitted at Kuitpo Forest from 1 April to 30 November annually, outside of the fire danger season.
Camping Fee: $18.30 per night, per vehicle. Book Now.
HOW TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL IN THE FLEURIEU PENINSULA
The Fleurieu Peninsula is home to some of the most pristine natural environments and unique wildlife in the world. We’re committed to keeping it that way. Here, sustainability is more than a checkbox; protecting our environment is a way of life. So how does one achieve eco-friendly travel? Follow our top tips below to find out how.
- Swap single-use plastics for reusable alternatives
- Shop local - instead of shopping at a large multi-national supermarket chain, find out if you can buy goods from shops or markets in the area that employ local community members and supply produce from local farmers.
- ‘Take only photos, leave only footprints’ - using a hands-off approach to wildlife by taking care not to disturb or scare with too much noise the wildlife & not to pick or touch the flora and fauna.
- Dispose of your rubbish properly. Everything you bring to the campsite should come back with you.
PARK ENTRY AND FEES
Park fees may be applicable when camping at one of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s national parks. For more information on fees, entry passes, and to pre-book a campsite online, please visit National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia or Forestry SA websites.
