Best Camping on the Yorke Peninsula (Including Free Campgrounds!)

The Yorke Peninsula’s pristine coastline awaits. Head to one of these free or cheap campsites to enjoy some of South Australia’s best swimming, surfing, fishing, and hiking.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Free camping on the Yorke Peninsula is one of the best ways to explore South Australia’s epic coastline. We’ve lined up some of the peninsula’s best free camping, along with some cheap camping options starting from just $15 per night.

With welcoming town campsites and scenic coastal campgrounds, you can cosy up under the stars at night and spend your days swimming in rockpools, surfing uncrowded breaks or exploring pristine beaches.

With 700km of coastline and located just over an hour from Adelaide – it’s perfect for a weekend camping trip with mates.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

@dallasfly

Can you free camp on Yorke Peninsula?

Yes, you can free camp on the Yorke Peninsula. There are a number of free campsites in the region – most of which require you to be self-sufficient. These free sites are not bookable and are only available on a first-come first-serve basis. Check out our list of the best free camping in the region for further details.

If you’re not self-sufficient, or prefer to camp by the ocean, there are cheap campsites managed by the local council which only require one permit to access 19 different campgrounds around the coastline.

If you like your camping with a few extra luxuries, there are many holiday parks and caravan parks on the Yorke Peninsula which vary in the price and facilities they offer, but will still give you a great base from which to explore the region.

Do you need a permit to enter the Yorke Peninsula?

You don’t need a permit to enter the Yorke Peninsula. However, a permit is required to stay overnight at any of the local council’s 19 bush camping sites. These permits can be booked and paid for in advance on the council website. Pricing varies depending on how long you want to stay and campsite availability is on a first-come first-serve basis.

There are also entry and camping fees required to enter the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park. At the time of writing, vehicle entry is $13 and campsite costs start from $25. These can be paid in advance on the SA National Parks website.

Best Free Camping Sites – Yorke Peninsula

The Yorke Peninsula has some free camping options at the central and northern ends of the peninsula. These are perfect as a base for exploring, or a stopover on a road trip around the region.

Some of these campsites are for self-contained vehicles only – so be sure to take note of what facilities are available when planning your trip.

1. Wallaroo Overnight Camping (Free!)

Location: Cornish Terrace (Cnr Wildman Street), Wallaroo, SA
Distance: 161km from Adelaide
Pet friendly: Yes

On the western side of the peninsula is the family-friendly town of Wallaroo. If you’re after some relaxed coastal vibes, just a couple of hours’ drive from Adelaide, this is the place to camp.

The town’s jetty is a hot spot for marine life making it the place to be for both diving and fishing. For some quality beach time, you can walk out onto Office Beach, right next to town, or drive your car onto the sand to explore the 2km long North Beach.

The free overnight camping spot is a large dirt parking lot that’s at the edge of town and is within walking distance to the jetty. There are no facilities and no access to water so your vehicle needs to be fully self-contained.

Read more: How To Convert Your SUV Into a Camper

@fungshuay

2. Ardrossan RV Friendly Campground (Free!)

Location: Overnight Caravan Stay, West Terrace, Ardrossan, SA
Distance: 152km from Adelaide
Pet friendly: Yes

If you want to explore red coastal cliffs, swim in turquoise water, and fish for the region’s Blue Swimmer crabs – Ardrossan is the place to do it. It’s a farming town right at the peninsula’s edge with a stunning coastal backdrop.

If you get in quick, there are three – that’s right, a hat trick – RV sites at the free campground in town. Your vehicle needs to be self-contained as there’s only non-drinkable water and a dump point at the site. If you have your own water supply and a shower/toilet that retains all water used – then come on in.

Four-legged friends are welcome too.

Read more: The Best Gear Picks For Adventure Dogs

3. Arthurton Overnight Stay (Free!)

Location: 28 Main Street, Arthurton, SA
Distance: 156km
Pet friendly: Yes

The tiny town of Arthurton welcomes you with a free shady campground that’s vehicle-friendly and has good facilities. It’s a 20-minute drive to the ocean and has some great local spots to down a cold one after the road trip from Adelaide.

At the top end of town is an overnight stay area with flushing toilets, drinking water, and picnic tables. It’s pet-friendly and has tall eucalyptus trees to give you some shade in summertime.

We reckon a stop in at Arthurton is best paired with a visit to The Genuine Arthurton for some pub grub and a beer – or the Sunny Hill Distillery which is just a five-minute drive out of town.

Read more: Best Dog Friendly Campsites in South Australia

Photo thanks to Sunny Hill Distillery

4. Maitland Free Overnight Camping (Free!)

Location: Roberts Street, Maitland, SA (opposite Maitland Hospital)
Distance: 163km from Adelaide
Pet friendly: Yes

The town of Maitland is described as the heart of the Yorke Peninsula. This is mainly for its geographic location – smack bang in the centre – but we see you for your friendly hospitality too Maitlanders.

Part of the welcoming vibe is the free camping area on the main street. All camping options are welcome so you can pitch a tent or park your van. It’s pet friendly and has water and toilets, plus a park and playground next door.

It’s a great place to stop in for a night on your trip around the peninsula. But it’s also a handy base, as you can drive just 15 minutes – either east or west – and find yourself staring at the peninsula’s famous turquoise waters.

@fungshuay

Best Yorke Peninsula Bush Camping

For some cheap bush camping along the Yorke Peninsula’s coastline, check out the local council run campsites. There are 19 bush campsites in total and to camp at any of them, you only need to purchase one permit.

The Council Bush Camping permit gives you access to any of the 19 campsites, but doesn’t reserve a spot at any of them – they’re available on an I-was-here-first kind of basis. Prices start from $20 per night and you can purchase a day, week, month, or year pass. Here are a few of our favourites.

5. The Gap Bush Campground

Location: Gap Road, Balgowan, SA
Distance: 176km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: Yes

The northern coast of the Yorke Peninsula is renowned for its epic fishing spots and the high likelihood of catching some of the peninsula’s famous Blue Swimmer crabs. At The Gap Bush Campground you can launch boats from the beach and enjoy some excellent ocean fishing.

This camp has toilets but you need to bring your own toilet paper and water supply.

Photo by Maxime Coquard

6. Port Minlacowie Bush Campground

Location: Beegoodye Wells Road, Minlaton, SA
Distance: 217km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: Yes

Relax on the sand and enjoy the sheltered waters of Hardwicke Bay – it’s the perfect place for boating, diving, and windsurfing. You can also check out some nearby sections of the Walk the Yorke trail. There are toilets at the Port Minlacowie Camp but you need to bring your own toilet paper and water supply.

It’s a popular campground, so if all the sites are full, head further up the coastline to the Barkers Rocks and Wauraltee Beach bush campgrounds.

Read more: Best Camping Coffee Makers in Australia

@disco_steww

7. Daly Head Bush Campground

Location: Daly Head Road, White Hut, SA
Distance: 280km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: Yes

Many a surfer has made the journey through the peninsula’s fields and farming towns to the Yorke Peninsula’s south-west coast. In particular, Daly Head’s pristine waters are home to some epic breaks and are listed as one of only 19 National Surfing Reserves in Australia.

The Daly Head Bush Campground is right on the coast, with stairs and a boardwalk to get you down to the beach and ready to paddle out. There are toilets but you need to bring your own toilet paper and water supply. If this campground is full, the Gleesons Landing Campground is just a short drive away.

Read more: 10 Nifty 4WD Storage Solutions You Probably Haven’t Thought Of

@jameselvy

8. Foul Bay Bush Campground

Location: Happy Valley Road, Foul Bay, SA
Distance: 268km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: Yes

Get your saltwater fix along the southern coast with some great beachside camping options. Set up camp at one of the campsites in the Foul Bay Bush Campground and spend your days swimming, surfing, and throwing a line in the Southern Ocean.

This campground has toilets but you need to bring your own toilet paper and water supply. Foul Bay has a concrete boat ramp for launching and the clifftops are great for whale watching.

@shred.lord

Camping in the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park

The Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is at the southern tip of the peninsula and is a welcome respite from the acres of farmland that cover the vast majority of the region. Adventures in this national park include hiking, surfing, and visiting the lighthouse and shipwreck.

To camp in the national park you’ll need to pay the park entry fee and book your specific campsite. There are two large vehicle campgrounds and five other smaller coastal campgrounds where you can pitch your tent. Here are a few of the best camping spots – with prices starting from $25 per night.

9. Shell Beach Campground

Location: Browns Beach Road, Inneston, SA
Distance: 310km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: No

Shell Beach, at the northern end of the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, has become popular with Instagrammers thanks to a spectacular – and somewhat hidden – rock pool.

The Shell Beach Campground is tucked into the dunes and has some good shade and protection from the wind. It’s the place to stay if you want an Insta-worthy camping trip. You can find the famous rock pool by heading to the eastern end of the beach and scrambling around the headland – beware of large swells and potentially dangerous conditions when you go.

Read more: Staying Safe on Coastal Rock Platforms

10. Gym Beach Campground

Location: Gym Beach Road, Inneston, SA
Distance: 300km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: No

If you like camping away from the crowds, then the Gym Beach Campground is the spot for you. It’s only accessible from the northern end of the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park and it has just six campsites.

These sites can be booked online in advance, so you know that your spot will be waiting for you when you arrive. Stress-free camping? Yes please.  The nearby beaches are stunning, secluded, and perfect for snorkelling.

Read more: How To Find Yourself a Quiet Campsite

11. Cable Bay Campground

Location: Pondalowie Bay Road, Inneston, SA
Distance: 290km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: No

Cable Bay Campground is on the southern side of the Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park and has great access to Cable Bay Beach and the Cape Spencer Lighthouse. Located right next to the beach, this is a great base for exploring.

The lighthouse is just down the road, the Chinamans surf break (for experienced surfers) is nearby and Cable Beach is a great place for a swim. The campsites at Cable Bay are less protected than at some of the other campgrounds which may leave you exposed in windy conditions.

12. Casuarina Campground

Location: Browns Beach Road, Inneston, SA
Distance: 300km from Adelaide
Pet-friendly: No

This campground has a great bush setting and is just a short walk through the dunes to Pondalowie Beach, which is famous for its surf break. Paddle out for some epic waves, walk the coastal cliffs for some excellent views, or just chill out on the long stretch of sand at Pondalowie Beach.

The campsites at Casuarina Campground are nestled among coastal shrubs and trees, giving you some privacy and space from other campers. The sites are fairly small but will suit both tents and car campers. Larger vehicles are better off at the Pondalowie Campground, just down the road.

Is it time to plan your peninsula adventure?

Are you planning a trip to the Yorke Peninsula? Have you visited before and stayed at one of these camping sites? Let us know in the comments.

FAQs Camping on the Yorke Peninsula

Is wild camping allowed on the Yorke Peninsula?

Wild camping isn’t officially allowed on the Yorke Peninsula, but with so many free and low-cost campsites you don’t really need to. Make sure to leave no trace and pay attention to guidance from national parks.

What activities can I do while camping on the Yorke Peninsula?

Camping on the Yorke Peninsula means you can spend your afternoons surfing, fishing, hiking, and checking out nooks and crannies along the rugged coastline. Don’t miss out on snorkelling or diving to see the stunning underwater world either!

What should I bring for camping on the Yorke Peninsula?

Pack plenty of water, sun protection, and insect repellent, along with your usual camping gear. The weather can be unpredictable, especially if you’re on the beach, so bring layers to stay comfy in all conditions.

Supplementary photos thanks to Tourism Australia

Table of contents photo by @lipeiteoh

Header photo by @fungshuay