Camping in SA

[White Line Fever]

Everyone is talking about these great overseas places, but I need some info in our own backyard.

I've got 4 days off this weekend, and want to go camping somewhere in SA.

The tough part is I have 2 dogs, that like to run.
Does anyone know some good spots to take the missus and my pups that is secluded but good to get away?

[devilsadvocate]

Great thread, I want to do more of this too.

Down at Robe would be great, as would Yorkes. Lots of spots to camp and let the dogs run ragged on long deserted beaches.

My sister has been to Deep Creek a few times this year and says it's brilliant.

[Ian]

My sister has been to Deep Creek a few times this year and says it's brilliant.

Can't take dogs into the conservation park.

[Q.]

Morgan quarry. More fun if you've got a 4WD or trail bikes to flog around in.

[Ian]

Between Renmark & Lyrup we used to go camping on the edge of the river (Lyrup flats) with dogs. IIRC it was one of the few conservation parks that dogs were allowed in.

Having a look now it appears that dogs are no longer allowed thre, but they are at Chowilla, have a look at this site
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/visitor/explorer.html

[Dogwatcher]

If you've got a dinghy/boat - there are some great spots along the river where you can camp. There are a lot of sandbars where you can pull up and the property owners generally don't mind, as long as you tidy up after yourself.

There is also a really good spot just past the lock at Paringa where you can camp on the river. And dogs will be okay.

However, friggin cold at the moment!

[Dogwatcher]

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=lock%205%20%2B%20paringa

The bend of the river at the end of Lock Road is a great spot. Camped there several times.
Car will get in easy.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=rilli%20reserve%2C%20loxton&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Rili Reserve, at the end of Briers Road near Loxton is a good spot as well.
Camped there several times as it's not far from my house.

[White Line Fever]

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=lock%205%20%2B%20paringa

The bend of the river at the end of Lock Road is a great spot. Camped there several times.
Car will get in easy.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=rilli%20reserve%2C%20loxton&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Rili Reserve, at the end of Briers Road near Loxton is a good spot as well.
Camped there several times as it's not far from my house.

Cheers DW.
That first spot looks alright.
Toilets?
It's very close to Renmark, does it get busy?

I used to go to a spot near Swan Reach 'The Big Bend', that was pretty good, but gets very busy.

Also your second link...
I haven't been camping in Pakistan before so might give it a miss

[AFLflyer]

yep plenty of great spots to camp in SA.
Deep creek is great, just remember your own fire wood and no dogs.
kuipto (chookaloo) roughly in between meadows and willunga you can take your dogs. heaps of wood in near by forrests. Go visit K1 wines when your there, best winery in SA. take a look at their website. on a lake, awesome spot.(5mins from camping ground)
http://www.k1.com.au/

You can camp in Mt crawford forest too, then sneak a few ones in at Barossa on the way up or back.
other than that you cannot beat Innes National park (yorkes) and flinders, load of good spots, no dogs though i think. Bit further away though. don;t get out enough lately!

[Dogwatcher]

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl&q=lock%205%20%2B%20paringa

The bend of the river at the end of Lock Road is a great spot. Camped there several times.
Car will get in easy.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=rilli%20reserve%2C%20loxton&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Rili Reserve, at the end of Briers Road near Loxton is a good spot as well.
Camped there several times as it's not far from my house.

Cheers DW.
That first spot looks alright.
Toilets?
It's very close to Renmark, does it get busy?

I used to go to a spot near Swan Reach 'The Big Bend', that was pretty good, but gets very busy.

Also your second link...
I haven't been camping in Pakistan before so might give it a miss

Yeah, Pakistan, that's a bit further away from home than Rilli's!

Try this:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=rilli%20reserve%2C%20loxton&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

[Dogwatcher]

Hmmm, strange, don't know why it links to Pakistan.

Just go to Google maps and type in Briers Road, Loxton North.
There's camping spots there which are pretty good.
There's also a boat ramp nearby.

As for the one at Paringa, I think there are toilets there. The times I camped there, there were never too many hassles with people driving down there at night. It's a well known camping spot but didn't seem to be a 'night time' hang out for undesirables.

[fisho mcspaz]

Two places I always loved:

Rawnsley Park, Flinders Ranges (about halfway between Hawker and Wilpena). I'm pretty sure you're allowed dogs - there was a blue heeler that kept jumping over our campfire at any rate. Has toilets, shower block and kiosk nearby.

And Loch Luna, near Barmera. Dig your own dunny and wash in the river.

[devilsadvocate]

BUMP

Has anyone camped at the Wilpena Pound camp ground?
It looks great on the net.
Just wondered if anyone's been there, done that.
If so, any rec's for things to do while up there?

[Ian]

I have but it was a long time ago,

Parachilna and Brachina gorges (2wd is usually ok)
Lunch @ the Prarie Hotel (Parachilna)
Do the walk to the pound

If I think of anything else I'll add it later

[Groover]

Balgowen - Decent beach, not too crowded, has a caravan park and a boat ramp. Also the lady at the local deli loves the word "Darling" - always good for a laugh

[fisho mcspaz]

BUMP

Has anyone camped at the Wilpena Pound camp ground?
It looks great on the net.
Just wondered if anyone's been there, done that.
If so, any rec's for things to do while up there?

Climb St Mary Peak - it's a tough hike but rewarding. The trail starts from the Wilpena camp ground if I remember right. You can do the loop walk where you come back through the pound, or just go straight back down the mountain again.

I'd also recommend driving up the dirt road to Blinman unless there's severe flooding - you won't get through if there is. Otherwise, ignore the signs saying 4WD only - I've done it in my old Daewoo hatch and it slid around the curves a bit but that just made it more fun. The mines and the cemetery are quite interesting and Blinman has a fantastic pub.

Sacred Canyon is only 15 minutes from Wilpena; there's all these ancient Adnyamathnha rock carvings there, fascinating stuff.

[Ian]

I'd also recommend driving up the dirt road to Blinman unless there's severe flooding - you won't get through if there is.

The road between Wipeena & Blinman is bitumen now

[fisho mcspaz]

I'd also recommend driving up the dirt road to Blinman unless there's severe flooding - you won't get through if there is.

The road between Wipeena & Blinman is bitumen now

It is?! Holy crap!! And bugger! That road was so much fun in a front-wheel drive. When did this happen? The last time I was up that way was in '07.

[Bum Crack]

Sandbar at the Katarapko Weir in Riverland (Winkie). Especially when it's 40 degrees. The best place to camp in Australia. Full afternoon sun = breeze and shade and kids have a ball swimming on the sandbar. It is an awesome place. should post some pics.

[Ian]

I'd also recommend driving up the dirt road to Blinman unless there's severe flooding - you won't get through if there is.

The road between Wipeena & Blinman is bitumen now

It is?! Holy crap!! And bugger! That road was so much fun in a front-wheel drive. When did this happen? The last time I was up that way was in '07.

only recently I think, my Mum has just completed walking the entire Hysen Trail a couple of weeks ago, she told me it was now a sealed road