Where last-minute Easter campsites are available in South Australia’s national parks

It’s almost Easter, and campgrounds in many of SA’s national parks are full. Here’s where you can still book.

Autumn is a great time for camping as the cooler temperatures mean you can comfortably hike during the day and snuggle up in your campsite at night. 

The 2021 Easter long weekend (Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April) is a family favourite for gathering together and enjoying nature. Campsites in South Australia’s national parks can be booked up to 12 months in advance and this means that many book out early in holiday times. 

Sites in popular parks including Coffin Bay National Park, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Onkaparinga River National Park and Para Wirra Conservation Park are booked out. 

If you’re looking for a last minute booking, get ready for an adventure – there are lots of hidden camping spots in lesser-known parks that are further away from Adelaide, and in sites that are accessible only by hiking, cycling, canoeing or boating in. 

You’ll need to book online before you go and if you’re after beach camping or secluded spots you’re in luck. Here’s a list of places where you can still book in: 

Eyre Peninsula

Acraman Creek Conservation Park 

• Acraman Creek – be quick, these sites are selling fast

Fowlers Bay Conservation Park 

• Mexican Hat Flat Campground
• Mexican Hat Headland Campground
• Scotts Beach Campground

Gawler Ranges National Park

• Kolay Hut Campground
• Mattera Campground
• Scrubby Peak Campground
• Yandinga Campground – be quick, these sites are selling fast 

Lincoln National Park 

• Wisemans Shack Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access it
• Woodcutters Beach Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access it 

Nullarbor National Park, Wilderness Protection Area and Regional Reserve 

• Koonalda

Wittelbee Conservation Park 

• Wittelbee Campground 

Yellabinna Regional Reserve 

• Mt Finke Campground

Yumbarra Conservation Park

• Googs Lake Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast

Fleurieu Peninsula

Deep Creek Conservation Park 

• Eagle Waterhole Campground – you’ll need to hike in

Tolderol Game Reserve 

• Tolderol Campground

Flinders Ranges & Outback

Innamincka Regional Reserve 

• Cullyamurra Waterhole
• Policemans Campground

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park 

• Halligan Bay Point Campground

Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park 

• Malkumba-Coongie Lakes Campground

Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park

• Grindells Hut Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access it
• Italowie Gap Campground
• Mainwater Well Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access it
• Weetootla Gorge Campground, Wiriti Urdla 

Witjira National Park 

• 3 O'clock Creek Campground
• Dalhousie Springs Campground

Note: It’s a mandatory requirement to purchase a Desert Parks Pass if you are travelling east of Dalhousie Springs in Witjira National Park. 

Kangaroo Island

Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area 

• D'Estrees Bay Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast

Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine Des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area

• Harvey’s Return Campground
• West Bay Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access it

Note: ferry bookings to Kangaroo Island can sell out around holiday times, so Kangaroo Island parks might only be an option if you’re a local, if you’ve already booked your ferry, or if you’re happy to fly to the island. 

Murray River

Bool Lagoon Game Reserve and Hacks Lagoon Conservation Park 

• Bool Lagoon Campground

Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area 

• Danggali Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access it

Karte Conservation Park 

• Karte Campground

Ngarkat Conservation Park 

• Box Flat Campground
• Bucks Camp Campground
• Comet Bore Campground
• Coxs Windmill Campground
• Doggers Hut Campground – be quick, these sites are selling fast
• Pertendi Hut Campground
• Pine Hut Soak Campground
• The Gums Campground
• The Pines Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access it
• The Pines Campground (4WD)

South East

Coorong National Park 

• Boating Based Camping (Coorong Lagoon) – you’ll need a boat to access it
• Loop Road, Caravan Sites
• Non-vehicle Based Camping – you’ll need to hike, cycle, kayak or canoe in
• Ocean Beach Camping
• Tea Tree Crossing Campground

Availability at these campgrounds for the Easter long weekend is correct as of Monday 29 March, 2021. 

Top tip: Campsites can be booked 12 months in advance, so if you’ve missed out this year you can always get hopping to book ahead for next Easter.

New to camping? You might be interested in reading these blogs: tips for beginners, camping dos and don’ts, essentials to pack and easy campfire recipes.

This story was originally posted in March 2018 and has been updated with current campsite availability.

(Main image courtesy of @austravelia, Instagram)