Camping in South Australia

Submitted: Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 17:09
ThreadID: 76330 Views:5664 Replies:8 FollowUps:6
This Thread has been Archived

Related Pages

Hi all, i'm new here, me and a few mates have been wanting to head out on a camping trip for quite a while now, mainly cos, believe it or not, its been about 6 or 7 years since i last got to put the tent up, yes i know, way too long isnt it?!

problem is, since the last time i went camping, i've moved interstate, so i dont really know anywhere to go! basically i'm looking for somewhere pretty private (i mean isnt the point of camping to get away and be left alone LOL), facilities are no big deal for me although it will need to be near water so i can fill up the shower bucket, basically, all i really want is somewhere we can park the car, put the tent up and have a fire to cook on

the second problem is that it cant be anywhere thats to difficult to get too, mainly cos we dont have a 4WD, which i figure probably makes things a bit more difficult. we're not wanting to travel too far from Adealide, probably under 350km or thereabouts. we would prefer somewhere free, but were willing to pay a bit if it means being away from everyone, but like i said, i've moved from interstate and me mates never go camping, so none of use know where we should go!

so thats the challenge people, secluded, near water (river or lake, it doesnt matter), fire permited, not too difficult to get too within around 350kms of Adelaide. can anyone out there help me out? all help is very much appreciated! Thanks!

Marco
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 17:23

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 17:23
Maize Island near Waikerie and Katarapko Creek near Berri would fit your bill. Both on the Murray.
Any mug can be uncomfortable out bush

Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 405979

Reply By: gonebush SA - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 18:14

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 18:14
another good spot is Morgan, which is on the Murray river and there is lots of camping areas on the other side of the river to the town. you don't need a 4x4 for most of the areas (just be careful and look before you drive down a track, have pull a few cars out of the sand). i don't like your chances of having a fire this time of year with the fireban in until the end of April (i think). but you can find some lovely secluded spots if you look. good luck chris.
AnswerID: 405984

Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 18:48

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 18:48
G'day Marco and welcome to the forum,

Your need to be near fresh water for showering, is going to be a limiting factor and the Murray sites mentioned by the others are probably on the money.

However, I question your need to camp near water for showering. We are a family of 5 and we manage to go camping to all sorts of remote places with a fairly modest amount of fresh water on board. About 140 litres is all we carry and sometimes we are away from supplies for up to a week.

Showering is a huge waste of water when camping. All 5 of us can get by with a shower every 2nd or 3rd day and even then we only use 20 litres or less.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you chuck a couple of 40 litre jerry cans of water in the boot, you should be right for a weekend or so.

Here on the Yorke Peninsula there are good camping spots, even for a 2wd.

Roachie
AnswerID: 405990

Reply By: Sparra Carter - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 19:26

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 19:26
Hi Marco

I just posted a similar post on this Forum "Camping on the Murray (SA SIDE)"

My Cobber and I have a Camper Trailer and head out fairly often. We are heading off again this coming Adelaide Cup Week End.
Yep I like camping near water too. So we will be heading down Tailem Bend way and then head up river until we find a decent spot. We are leaving on Thursday arvo and hope to discover something before it gets dark.
You are welcome to join us if you want, let me know on this forum and I'll arrange contact with you.

Alternatively, I do recommend Katarapko Creek (Nat Park) near Berri or below Morgan on the Adelaide side where there's a private property that allows camping.
Follow the Blanchtown-Morgan road towards Blanchtown (turnoff is just out of Morgan) follow the Bitumen and when it turns into a dirt road you have missed the turn-off to the Left by about 300 meters. Take the dirt road down till a steep decent then turn right at the bottom before crossing the Creek and travel up to the Gate. There are great spots there and I reckon we've camped in about 12 of them.

Hope you enjoy

Sparra
AnswerID: 405996

Reply By: Dasher Des - Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 21:49

Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 at 21:49
Being a Riverlander, we have a huge amount of camping areas here but we have fire bans in place until I think the 14th of April.May be a day or so either side.
You can't bring your fruit and vegies here either unless they are purchased from a supermarket and you have to carry your receipt with you. Don't worry though as there areplenty of roadside stalls near Berri which have fresher and cheaper fruit and vegies.
kateraptko creek has great camping and bring your canoes too. You might be lucky to catch a feed of yabbies too but don't tell anyone I told you LOL
AnswerID: 406036

Reply By: Marco72 - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 01:33

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 01:33
ok firstly, damn you guys are quick! i wasnt expecting so many responses so quick! much appreciated!

Pete, firstly, thanks, i had been doin a lil bit of research but hadnt come accross Maize Island or Katarapko Creek, so i'll have to check them out, thanks!

GoneBush, yeah while researching i came across Morgan, and a friend said something about there when i spoke to him today, so that shows promise as well. also yeah i know about Fire Bans and the like, this isnt 'my first BBQ' if you will, but i didnt know when Fire Bans were lifted, Des later on also said about it, so i will make sure i look into that, might save me a few bucks and a hell of a lot of trouble! lol

Roachie, truth be told, showering is a secondary thought, were fine with just having a wash in the river or lake, but we did want to be on the water, that way we can pretend to be fishing while we have a few! lol. might have to ask you a bit more about some spots on the Yorkes, but at the moment i'm still lookin into other spots, so i might ask ya when i'm ready, thanks!

Sparra, yeah i saw your post there mate, have to turn you down this time mate, we're just having as a 'just us' sorta thing, but thanks for the offer! i would like to know a bit more about spots near Morgan you said about and the property you mentioned, but i wanna ask about the dirt road you spoke about, i just need to make sure that a smaller car will be able to handle the road, i dont think we really wanna get bogged in the sand if we can help it! LOL

Des, yeah i travelled a bit and know about the Fruit Fly stations and things like that, so i know about not takin fruit and veg and the like, but thanks for the reminder, ill have to make sure to get me some spuds, carrots and onions (planing on making a camp oven stew on the fire, beautiful stuff! lol), havnt got any canoes to bring unfortunately (pity cos i really enjoy that!), but you did also mention one of my favourite words, YABBIES!! mate as far as i'm concerned, campin on a river with no other bugger around for miles, an esky full of beers and a pot of yabbies boilin away on a fire, as far as i'm concerned, thats pretty friggin close to paradise! might have to find me some nets! lol

ok so if someone can tell me about some spots near Morgan or Maize Island, or tell me where i can find some info on them, it will be very much appreciated!

Thanks Guys!
AnswerID: 406086

Follow Up By: Sparra Carter - Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 09:09

Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 at 09:09
Marco

The private property near Morgan is a top spot and I do recommend it.
The dirt road from the bitumen to the farm gate is a two lane graded dirt road. Once through the gate the road degrades to tracks but I can only think of one spot where there is some sand but 90% of the tracks are solid.
My original direction are fairly accurate to get you to the Gate but after that you have to find your own spot to park and set up. There are about 8+ great spots and some not so great ones, some will give privacy and other a great view of the river. A good amount of RR Gums are throughout the property along the River.
Happy Camping.

Sparra
0
FollowupID: 675969

Follow Up By: Marco72 - Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 at 18:29

Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 at 18:29
Thanks Sparra, the place your talkin about is startin to look quite appealling!

sounds like the car should be able to handle it without too much worry, but if we decide to head down there, we might need the directions to be a bit more in depth, cos none of us have been out that way and we wanna make sure were on the right property (could be a bit of trouble if we end up on the wrong one, which would probably happen knowing our luck! LOL), so if you could give us some more in depth details of the property, it would be much appreciated, also, perhaps using Google Maps might be an idea, cos you would be able to point it out for us on there and we should be able to work out how to get there from that, just an idea that i thought may help us out! would really appreciate that if you could!

Thanks, Marco
0
FollowupID: 676271

Follow Up By: Sparra Carter - Monday, Mar 01, 2010 at 21:45

Monday, Mar 01, 2010 at 21:45
Hey Marco

Shyte ... I follow my nose with most directions but I looked the spot up on Google Earth and found the area.
I have no idea if what I am about to tell you means anything to you but here goes ...
The turn-off on the Adelaide side of MORGAN is at the following co-ordinates 34Deg 01' 57.76" S and 139Deg 39' 42.33" E (Blanchtown Rd)

The Gate to the Property is at 34Deg 07' 46.66" S and 139Deg 39' 53.02" E

The middle of the general camping area is at 34Deg 08' 24.99" S and 139Deg 39' 32.55" E

On Google Earth you can see the Orchards of the adjoining farm and there is a Houseboat parking near the gate to the farm

Follow Blanchtown Rd south and pass-by the following side roads (about 12-15+ Km) ... a few aren't marked but these following ones are marked ... Eudunda Rd, Stoney Steps Rd & Thamms Rd then turn left onto Pelican Point Rd. As I said if you run out of Bitumen then you have gone about 300 Meters too far. Then travel about 3 Km pass one road on the left (to Wombats Rest), until a steep decent (not really steep) then turn right onto Hausler Rd at the bottom. Cleared Orchard on your right and House Boats and Rubbish Drop point on the Creek side.

Don't hold me to the actual distances they are from memory.

Good Luck, the Camp offers NO Facilities but the camping spots are very good.

Sparra

0
FollowupID: 676576

Follow Up By: Marco72 - Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 at 00:25

Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 at 00:25
well mate, if i follow me nose mate, chances are i'd probably end up in the middle of bloody nowhere, and while that wouldnt worry me so much, the other might get a tad peeved about it, helll theyre having enough trouble with the idea of going somewhere without a toilet! but like i keep tellin them 'Suck It Up Princess!' LOL

but ive had a bit of a root around on Google Earth and i reckon i have found the place you were talkin about, but i just wanted to sent you the pic from G.E to make sure i have the right spot, so if you dont mind sendin me your email address so i send ya the pic, we can make sure i'm in the right spot, plus then i can ask you a few more questions, about if we have to get a permit or pay a camping fee or just let the property's owner that were down there

so if ya dont mind sendin me your email, or i can send ya mine, which ever way youd prefer mate

also, sorry it took a couple of days, been trying to organise some stuff here and aint been on much the last couple of days lol

all your help has been very much appreciated mate
Marco
0
FollowupID: 677051

Follow Up By: Sparra Carter - Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 17:08

Monday, Mar 08, 2010 at 17:08
G'day Marco

sorry to take a while getting back to you but I have only today (Mon 8 Mar) returned from a camp at Wall Flat (near Mannum) on the Murray.
We got rain upon fairly heavily last night and tho we stayed dry the ground everywhere turn to MUD so we headed back today.

Thought you were heading off for the long week end so this may be too late but if not my email is vacarter @ bigpond net au.

If you did get away I hope you and the royal family had a great time.

Sparra
0
FollowupID: 677801

Follow Up By: Marco72 - Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 at 23:03

Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 at 23:03
yeah i thought that might have been the case and you had gone off somwhere, but no, not too late, we only planning the trip at this point, and we tend to plan a long way ahead cos it gives us time to sort everything out, plus since we wanna have the campfire we were gonna wait til the end of fire ban season anyway, campin's just not the same without the fire! LOL but i wanna ask you if you can have fires in this spot, but before i can do that, i should probably make sure i'm lookin at the right spot

but thanks for the email, i'll send ya that pic tomorrow (mainly cos i'm about to head to bed now and get an early night lol), and if i got the right spot, i will ask you some more questions

thanks mate
Marco
0
FollowupID: 678254

Reply By: Skippy In The GU - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 10:11

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 10:11
Chowilla is another nice place to camp , just out from Renmark
AnswerID: 406119

Reply By: jeep cherokee - Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 11:22

Friday, Feb 26, 2010 at 11:22
Marco 72,do yourself a favour, get the Camps 5 book,avaliable online or from BCF stores.We have recently purchased it and what a gem of a book.All info on Free camp sites and payable sites,GPS positions,dogs friendly/unfriendly etc etc.Well worth the money.Around the $75.00 mark
AnswerID: 406134

Sponsored Links