Where to snap up a last-minute campsites in national parks this Easter
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 2025 Easter long weekend (Friday 18 April to Monday 21 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, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National park, Lincoln National Park and Onkaparinga River National Park are mostly 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:
Don't forget, always check National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia's park closures & alerts before visiting!
Eyre Peninsula
Acraman Creek Conservation Park
Coffin Bay National Park
- Yangie Bay, Big – you’ll need a 4WD to access
Chadinga Conservation park
Fowlers Bay Conservation Park
Gawler Ranges National Park
- Chillunie Campground
- Kolay Hut Campground
- Mattera Campground
- Scrubby Peak Campground
- Waganny Campground
- Yandinga Campground
Laura Bay Conservation Park
Nullarbor National Park, Wilderness Protection Area and Regional Reserve
Point Bell Conservation Park
- Point Bell Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access
Wahgunyah Conservation Park
- Cheetima Campground
- Dogfence Beach Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access
Wittelbee Conservation Park
- Wittelbee Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast
Yellabinna Regional Reserve
Yumbarra Conservation Park
- Googs Lake Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast
Fleurieu Peninsula
Deep Creek National Park
- Eagle Waterhole Campground – you’ll need to hike in
Newland Head Conservation Park
- Natunyuru Ngawanthi (Sand Dunes campground) – you’ll need to hike in
Wild South Coast Way on the Heysen Trail
- Kurri Ngawanthi (creek Campground) – you’ll need to hike in
Flinders Ranges & Outback
Tallaringa Conservation Park
- Tallaringa Camping – you’ll need a 4WD to access
Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park
- Italowie Gap Campground
- Mainwater Well Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access
- Weetootla Gorge Campground, Wiriti Urdla
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
- Murray Lagoon Campground
Flinders Chase National Park and Ravine Des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area
- Harvey’s Return Campground
- Rocky River Campground
- West Bay Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access
Lashmar Conservation Park
- Antechamber Bay Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast
- Chapman River Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast
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
Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area
- Danggali Campground – you’ll need a 4WD to access
Karte Conservation Park
Ngarkat Conservation Park
- Box Flat Campground
- Comet Bore Campground
- Coxs Windmill Campground
- Doggers Hut Campground – be quick, these sites are selling fast
- Nanam Well Campground – be quick, these sites are selling fast
- Pertendi Hut Campground
- Pine Hut Soak Campground – be quick, these sites are selling fast
- Rabbit Island Soak Campground
Please note most of these campgrounds require 4WD for access.
South East
Coorong National Park
- Barker Knoll – you’ll need a boat to acces
- Beach Camping
- Boating Based Camping (Coorong Lagoon) – you’ll need a boat to access
- Godfreys Landing
- Loop Road, Caravan Sites
- Mark Point Campground
- Non-vehicle Based Camping – you’ll need to hike, cycle, kayak or canoe in
- Ocean Beach Camping
- Seven Mile Road Campsites
- Tea Tree Crossing Campground
Availability at these campgrounds for the Easter long weekend is correct as of Monday 31 March, 2025.
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 packandeasy campfire recipes.
(Main image courtesy of @austravelia, Instagram)
