Where last-minute October long weekend campsites are available in South Australia’s national parks

There’s still time to book a camping trip for the long weekend. Here’s what’s available in SA’s national parks.

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the trails are waiting – it’s almost time for the October long weekend (Saturday 3 October to Monday 5 October).

Haven’t made plans yet? Look no further than a national park.

Campsites in South Australia’s national parks can be booked up to 12 months in advance and the most popular sites sell out quickly around holiday times.

This means that almost all sites are now booked out at parks such as Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Murray River National Park, Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, Mount Remarkable National Park and Deep Creek Recreation Park.

But don’t despair, there are still plenty of options to camp in a national park, particularly if you’re willing to try a lesser-known park and campground, or travel a little further afield.

We’ve rounded up a list of places where you can still book in:

Limestone Coast

Canunda National Park

• Number Two Rocks Campground

 Coorong National Park

• Barker Knoll Boating Campground
• Beach Camping (Ocean Beach)
• Loop Road, Hooded Plover Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast
• Tea Tree Crossing, Oystercatcher Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast

Naracoorte Caves National Park

• Naracoorte Caves Campground

Murray River

Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area

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

Ngarkat Conservation Park

• Box Flat Campground
• Bucks Camp Campground
• Coxs Windmill Campground
• Doggers Hut Campground
• Pertendi Hut Campground
• Pine Hut Soak Campground
• Rabbit Island Soak Campground - you’ll need a 4WD to access it
• The Pines Campground - you’ll need a 4WD to access it

Eyre Peninsula

Coffin Bay National Park

• Morgan's Landing Campground (4WD) – be quick, these sites are filling fast
• The Pool Campground (4WD)

Fowlers Bay Conservation Park

• Scotts Beach Campground

Gawler Ranges National Park

• Chillunie Campground
• Kolay Hut Campground
• Mattera Campground
• Scrubby Peak Campground
• Waganny Campground – be quick, these sites are filling fast

Lincoln National Park

• Horse Rock Campground
• Maclaren Point Campground (4WD) – be quick, these sites are filling fast, you’ll need a 4WD to access it 
• Spalding Cove Campground (4WD) – be quick, these sites are filling fast, you’ll need a 4WD to access it
• Wisemans Shack Campground (4WD) - you’ll need a 4WD to access it
• Woodcutters Beach Campground (4WD) - you’ll need a 4WD to access it

   

Yellabinna Regional Reserve

• Mt Finke Campground

Yumbarra Conservation Park

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

Flinders Ranges and Outback

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

• Wilcolo Hikers only

Innamincka Regional Reserve

• Queerbidie Campground
• Ski Beach Campground

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park

• Halligan Bay Point Campground

Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park

• Kudriemitchie Campground

Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park

• Italowie Gap Campground
• 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

Lashmar Conservation Park

• Antechamber Bay North Campground
• Antechamber Bay South 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.

Availability at these campgrounds for the October long weekend is correct as of Monday 28 September, 2020.

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

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.