Sleep Under the Stars at the Best Camping Spots in Adelaide

Get ready for an adventure to remember with an escape from the daily grind into a serene sanctuary at peaceful Adelaide camping grounds. Whether you're down for roughing it in SA’s abundant National Parks with just the necessities or seek outdoor luxury with stylish glamping, we’ve got you covered.

Pack up the car and your sense of wonder, set up your swag under a canopy of stars or rock up to pre-built havens stocked with the goods (wine) and soak up the bliss of life off-grid.

Embrace the opportunity to reconnect with nature, yourself, your mates or a loved one with the best camping spots in Adelaide.

Victor Views, Waitpinga

Come for the proximity to the coastal town of Victor Harbor, and stay for the breathtaking views of the never-ending ocean and peaceful surroundings. Just over an hour from Adelaide, you'll feel a million miles away from the hustle as you pitch a tent amongst the 14 acres of rural property at Victor Views. The perfect place to base a weekend of exploring town by day, and unwinding with a glass of wine and an epic sunset by night.

Sitchu tip: with no campground facilities, this campsite is only suitable for self-contained campers!

Waitpinga

Deep Creek National Park

The CBD's closest national park to offer camping in the scrub, Deep Creek National Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula provides the perfect destination for a weekend of hikes, abundant flora, wildlife spotting and coastal views.

Set up camp, enjoy fantastic sunsets and spot local wildlife from your camp chair, including kangaroos and native bird species. The next morning, set off on one of the 15 hiking trails to dive deeper into the diverse bushland and reconnect with yourself in nature.

Sitchu tip: Winter and early spring are the most popular times to camp at Deep Creek, with the annual whale migration from Antarctica to the South Australian coast providing ample opportunity to spot the mammals from lookouts.

Deep Creek

Rocky Paddock Campground 

Considered not only one of the best camping spots in Adelaide but one of the best in Australia, Rocky Paddock is a must for escaping into nature for the weekend - or longer! Permits are required for this basic bush camping location, hidden among old pine plantations and unique rocky outcrops. The sheer serenity makes it completely worth it. 

Make the most of the cooler months to enjoy a roasting wood fire, where you and your family or friends can cosy up with hot chocolate and marshmallows. 

Camping permitted April 1st - November 30th

Tower Road, Mount Crawford

Alma's Hem Amphitheatre 

There's a reason why Alma's Hem Amphitheatre is known for some of the best camping near Adelaide, with the Inman Valley spot named one of the best Hipcamp destinations to visit in 2023. Set by a winter creek on a working cattle farm in the heart of the Fleurieu Peninsula, this serene and private campground is perfect for a romantic getaway or small and larger groups.

Abundant in natural features and activities, Alma's Hem delivers, every time. For every forest there's a bike and hike, for every river, creek, swimming hole and waterfall, there's a boat and fishing line. From the Heysen Trail to the beaches of Carrackalinga to Second Valley caves, it's all waiting to be explored.  Pitch your tent, swag or park your caravan and settle in for blissful nights under big night skies. 

Inman Valley

Coorong Island Retreat

Be a guest of nature at the idyllic Coorong Island Retreat, where you can slumber, play and explore the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong - a region that embodies all of nature's brilliance. Boasting breathtaking scenery and ample Australian wildlife, some unfenced sheep and alpacas at the property might even say hello. 

Around the property there are options to venture out on a boat, bushwalking on nature trails, biking to Coorong, 4WD off-roading at Coorong National Park or even on a tasting adventure at Langhorne Creek. It is ideal for boating; a fishers and birdwatchers paradise. Paddle out onto the lake for the ultimate camping at Coorong experience. 

Coorong Island Retreat is suitable for self-contained campers with their own toilet/shower facilities, but flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen are available at some sites. 

Meningie

Chookarloo Campground, Kuitpo Forest

You will struggle to get closer to nature whilst camping in Adelaide than at Chookarloo Campground in the flourishing Kuitpo Forest in the Fleurieu Peninsula. 23 unpowered campsites are available with fire pits, rainwater, pit toilets, a picnic area and the option for vehicle access and no vehicle access.

You can wake up to the soothing sounds of native wildlife in this Eucalypt woodland, and fully embrace the sites being a perfect launching pad for day hikes, the adventure at TreeClimb, and perhaps most important of all - the infamous McLaren Vale wine region.

Campsite fees are charged per vehicle or hiker.

495 Brookman Road, Kuitpo, Fleurieu Peninsula

Christies Beach Tourist Park, Christie's Beach

Camping with the family or a big group and worried about the logistics of it all? Perhaps a few nights at Christie’s Beach Tourist Park will solve your problems. Located right by the beach, the boutique park boasts a camp kitchen, playground, laundry, amenities block (cleaned daily), lawn games and pedal carts.

There is accommodation to suit every style of camper, with powered sites for tents and caravans, beachside villas and family cabins. Less than an hour from the city centre, this is a fabulous coastal escape the whole family will love, without needing to spend the tedious time in the car to get there, win!

39 Sydney Crescent, Christies Beach

Whites Road Wines Glamping, McLaren Vale

Craving a glamorous glamping escape among the vines? Whites Road Wines has you covered! Nestled in McLaren Vale, their Antenly Glamping Tent is your perfect hideaway. These 6-metre waterproof bell tents sit on a vineyard deck, offering stunning views and unforgettable sunsets.

Just minutes from top cellar doors, eateries, and scenic trails, you can explore by day and unwind by night with a bottle of local wine and tasty nibbles. Each tent is packed with charm and cosy touches, making it an ideal spot for a romantic getaway or a serene break from city life. 

McLaren Vale

Wilpena Pound Campground, Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park

We know this isn't close to Adelaide, but, some camping spots are worth the five-hour drive from the CBD. Find yourself amongst South Australia’s most impressive outback scenery at Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park. There are vast open spaces to pitch a tent, with the rugged landscape abundant with native wildlife and cultural heritage. Campers have access to toilets, showers, campfire and BBQ areas throughout their stay.

For those who aren’t keen to go without their creature comforts, Wilpena Pound offers an experience like no other, providing 15 stylish glamping tents complete with ensuites, plus powered and unpowered sites for tents and caravans. However you choose to spend the night, you will want to be well rested to explore the vast lands known to the Traditional Owners as ‘Ikara,’ meaning ‘the meeting place’, with unique experiences and guided tours available.

Wilpena Road, via Hawker, Flinders Ranges

Cable Bay Campground, Dhilba Guuranda Innes National Park

Another spot worth the drive (3.5 hours from the city), escape to one of South Australia’s famed peninsulas for a few nights camping in the coastal wilderness of Dhilba Guuranda Innes National Park. Sitting at the southern tip of the Yorke Peninsula, fill your days with adventures among the rock pools and coastal walks to the cliff edge or take it to the water and scout your spot for surfing and scuba diving.

There are several camping spots, but Cable Bay Campground is our pick, with nine campsites overlooking the picturesque views of the offshore islands, wind-protected sites and untouched nature at its finest. The facilities may be basic, but it’s a perfect destination for those wanting to get off the grid, recharge their batteries and get closer to nature.

Innes National Park, Bay Road, Inneston, Yorke Peninsula

Has our guide to the best camping spots in Adelaide got you itching to explore more? Check out our favourite hiking trails for a scenic stroll, or plan a trip with your pooch at the best dog-friendly accommodations in Adelaide.