Free Camping in South Australia: What You Need to Know

2 Sept

When it comes to camping rules, every state in Australia does things differently. In South Australia, there’s one clear rule:

👉 You cannot camp for free in state or national parks.

Every official South Australian park and reserve requires a booking and camping fee, and you must book online through Parks SA. Rangers check, and fines apply if you skip the system.

But that doesn’t mean free camping is off the table — you just need to look outside the park network, where council-managed sites, outback reserves, and roadside stops open the door to plenty of no-cost adventures.

✅ Where You Can Free Camp in SA

Council Free Camps – many country towns offer designated free sites to encourage travellers to stop in and spend locally.
Roadside Rest Areas – legal overnight stops on major routes.
Outback Crown Land – much of SA is remote Crown Land, and you can often pull up and camp for free if you’re self-sufficient.
Private Property (with permission) – plenty of station stays, some free, others donation-based.

🚫 Where You Can’t Free Camp

State and National Parks – permits and fees always required.
Popular tourist hubs – e.g. Adelaide metro, Barossa, Fleurieu — free camping is usually banned or heavily restricted.
Random roadside pullovers in towns – most councils enforce “no overnight stays” outside of their designated free sites.

🌟 Great Free Camping Spots in South Australia

Here are some well-loved free camps you can add to your SA road trip:

Point Lowly (near Whyalla, Eyre Peninsula)
- Stunning coastal free camp with views over the Spencer Gulf. Popular with fishos and 4WDers. Toilets available.
Port Gibbon Cliffs (near Cowell)
- Free (donation-based) beachfront camping right under red cliffs. Great for caravans and off-grid rigs.
24-Mile Tank Rest Area (Flinders Ranges region)
- Basic roadside rest stop but a classic outback free camp. No facilities — bring everything.
Hancock’s Lookout (near Wilmington)
- Incredible lookout over the Spencer Gulf, free camping area with plenty of space for 4WD rigs.
Kimba Recreation Reserve (Eyre Highway)
- Council-supported free/donation camp. Showers, toilets, and a short walk to town.

🛑 Rules of Free Camping in SA

Stay limits: most council sites are capped at 24–72 hours.
Self-contained rigs: many sites expect you to bring your own toilet/water.
Leave no trace: rubbish dumping gets free camps closed.
Check signage: not all rest areas allow overnight stays.

Final Word

If you’re exploring South Australia in your 4X4, remember:

State and National Parks = paid permits only.
Free camping = roadside stops, council sites, and Crown Land.

From the red dirt of the Flinders to the turquoise waters of the Eyre Peninsula, there are still plenty of places to roll out the swag for free — you just need to know where to look.

Load up the Cruiser, plan your route, and go have a crack at South Australia’s free camping scene.

Shayne Mostyn