The closest free campsites to Adelaide are Palmer Cricket Ground and Frank Potts Reserve, both about an hour's drive away. For river camping, head to Hettner Landing or Swamp Hen Reserve on the Murray. For the coast, try Port Parham. Most are first come, first served with basic facilities, so arrive early and bring your own water.
It is also an appealing destination in its own right, with excellent restaurants and boutiques, plenty of green spaces, beaches, waterways, and family-friendly attractions.
Why would Australian backpackers and travellers choose a motorhome or campervan for a trip to Adelaide and South Australia? These vehicles offer a great deal of flexibility and independence. You do not have to worry about hotel reservations or restaurant spending, so you can choose your itinerary and change it whenever it suits you to do so.
Free campsites near Adelaide at a glance
| Campsite | Area | Setting | Toilets | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Potts Reserve | Milang, Lake Alexandrina | Lakeside | Yes | Free |
| Palmer Cricket Ground | Palmer, Adelaide Hills edge | Country town | Yes | Free, donation welcome |
| Port Parham Campground | Gulf St Vincent, north of Adelaide | Beachside | Yes | Free |
| Hettner Landing | Walker Flat, Murray River | Riverside | Yes | Free |
| Swamp Hen Reserve | Walker Flat, Murray River | Riverside | Yes | Free |
| Para Wirra Conservation Park | About 40 km north-east of the CBD | Bushland | Yes | Park fees apply |
| Burra Creek Gorge (Worlds End) | Near Burra, Mid North | Gorge | Yes | Free |
| Red Banks Conservation Park | Near Burra, Mid North | Bushland | Yes | Park fees may apply |
Adelaide is an easy base for a campervan trip. Within a few hours you can reach the Murray River, the Fleurieu Peninsula, the Barossa and Clare Valley wine regions and the Mid North. A campervan or motorhome lets you stay close to all of them without booking hotels, and the free and low-cost campsites below keep costs down.
The best free campsites near Adelaide
Frank Potts Reserve
Frank Potts Reserve is on the shore of Lake Alexandrina at Milang, in the Alexandrina Council area, about an hour's drive from Adelaide. There are toilets, drinking water and picnic facilities, but no showers or laundry. There are no marked sites and you can't book, so arrive early in summer. Check the Alexandrina Council website for the current stay limit.
Palmer Cricket Ground
The small town of Palmer, east of the Adelaide Hills, lets campervans and motorhomes stay beside the local cricket ground. It's free, and most campers leave a donation to help with upkeep. There are open and shaded areas, toilets, barbecues and running water, but the water isn't drinkable, so fill your tank before you arrive.
Port Parham Campground
Port Parham is about an hour north of Adelaide on Gulf St Vincent, with camping right along the beach. There are toilets, water and barbecues. You can't book, and it gets busy in summer and on long weekends, so arrive early.
Hettner Landing
Hettner Landing is a free riverside camping area at Walker Flat on the Murray River. You can camp near the water or further back among the trees. There are toilets and gas barbecues, and a small general store is within walking distance. Campfires are allowed outside fire danger season, and you can swim in the river.
Swamp Hen Reserve
Swamp Hen Reserve is close to Hettner Landing on the Murray. It has good river access, so it suits anyone travelling with a kayak or small boat, and some sites have their own small beach. Facilities are toilets, barbecues and a few picnic tables, and the general store at Walker Flat sells food and gas.
Para Wirra Conservation Park
Para Wirra is the closest option to the city, about 40 km north-east of Adelaide's CBD. It isn't free: park entry and camping fees apply, and you book and pay online through National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia. In return you get a small campground with toilets, a camp kitchen and gas barbecues, plus fire pits you can use outside fire ban periods.
Burra Creek Gorge Reserve (Worlds End)
Burra Creek Gorge, also known as Worlds End, is a free campground in the Mid North near Burra, about two and a half hours north of Adelaide. It's a scenic spot among river red gums, with plenty of room to camp, toilets and walking trails. Combine it with a visit to Burra's heritage mining town and the Clare Valley.
Red Banks Conservation Park
Red Banks Conservation Park is north of Adelaide in the Burra area, named after its red rock formations. Walking trails pass the rocks, and you're likely to see wombats and kangaroos. The camping area takes campervans and motorhomes, but facilities are basic: toilets and picnic tables only, and there is little or no mobile reception. Check the National Parks SA website for current fees and bookings.
Free camping rules in South Australia
- Only camp where a sign, the council or the park allows it. Many Adelaide beach suburbs and Fleurieu towns don't allow overnight stays in vehicles.
- Follow the posted stay limit. Many free sites allow only a few nights.
- Check fire bans before lighting a campfire. Fire danger season in South Australia usually runs from late spring to autumn, and total fire ban days apply everywhere.
- Bring drinking water and use dump points for waste water. Most free sites don't have them.
- Take all your rubbish with you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I free camp near Adelaide?
The closest free campsites are Palmer Cricket Ground and Frank Potts Reserve at Milang, both about an hour away. Hettner Landing and Swamp Hen Reserve on the Murray River and Port Parham on the coast are also popular.
Can you sleep in a campervan in Adelaide?
Not on most city and beach streets. Stay at a caravan park, a national park campground or a signposted free campsite outside the city.
Do you need to book free campsites in South Australia?
Most free campsites are first come, first served. National park campgrounds such as Para Wirra usually need to be booked and paid for online.
Are campfires allowed at free campsites near Adelaide?
Only where the site allows them and outside fire bans. Check the Country Fire Service for fire danger ratings and total fire ban days before you light a fire.
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