Carpenter Rocks in Limestone Coast

28/06/2016Sammy Brett

SHARED 18 TIMES

28/06/2016Sammy Brett

SHARED 18 TIMES

Carpenter Rocks is a tiny little coastal town on the Limestone Coast with less than 200 residents. Explorer Sammy Brett headed down there to check out the eerie shipwreck site shrouded in mist…

Highlights

Reach a secluded camping location
A breathtaking, offbeat retreat
Great photography opportunities of the shipwreck

Long Weekend Microadventure

It was a long weekend with no plans, so I decided to pack up the 4WD and set off for a brief expedition to South Australia’s rugged Limestone Coast.

Located just outside of Mount Gambier, at the Southern end of Canunda National Park, it is reached by driving through massive pine plantations which eventually lead to an epic winding, sandy track to the site.

Once you arrive and set up camp, a mere stone’s throw away from the Cape Banks Lighthouse, the true atmosphere of this wild place will reveal itself.

An ominous, brooding sea mist was beginning to blanket the horizon when I arrived, but this only spurred me to explore the beach and wreck that lies there — and what an eerie sight it was.

With the rain increasing, I made my way down the deserted beach to capture the wreck in fading light. Although devoid of other adventurers, there were a group of seals who seemed to be awaiting me; guardians of the rocks.

A night alone with the sounds of the ocean lapping against the shore (amongst other strange noises) and the endless fog, was certainly a cloistered experience!

Essential Gear

Camping gear
Torch
Camera
4WD (a 2WD car could access the site weather permitting)
Sense of adventure
Fishing gear

How To Get There

Located 35km south-west of Mount Gambier in the south-east of South Australia. 4WD drive recommended.

The town is very small, it has a general store, but I would suggest bringing your own supplies. Pay the campsite fees online in advance, as there is no good network signal from the site.

Note: the lighthouse is located a further 4km down a sand track from the town of Carpenter Rocks.