Camping near Port Arthur
Stay en route to the Yorke Peninsula, with its white beaches and pink lakes.
- Port Arthur
Popular camping styles for Port Arthur
Star Hosts in Port Arthur
Available this weekend
12 top campgrounds near Port Arthur
Under $50
Dog-friendly getaways
Camping near Port Arthur guide
Overview
Located at the northern end of South Australia’s Gulf of St. Vincent and the Yorke Peninsula, the small locality of Port Arthur (population: 3) is a gateway to the beautiful Yorke Peninsula. As it’s about 105 kilometres north of state capital Adelaide, many travellers approaching Adelaide from the north (or departing heading north) will pass through. Campers come to the Yorke Peninsula to enjoy the white-sand beaches and to drive and camp along the Coastal Way, with its 700 km of coastline. There’s a free rest area for self-contained campers in Port Arthur, and well-equipped holiday parks at other spots on the Yorke Peninsula, ideal for overnight stops on a road trip.
Where to go
Clinton Conservation Park
The nearest park to Port Arthur, this coastal park contains mangroves, wetlands, and estuaries that are important breeding sites for fish and wading birds, making it a good destination for keen birdwatchers. Visitors can’t camp in the park but Port Arthur’s free rest area is nearby, as is the larger town of Port Wakefield, where there’s a caravan park.
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park
At the southern end of Cape Yorke and about two hours’ drive from Port Arthur, the coastal Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park offers beachside campsites as well as accommodation in several lodges. Travellers come to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes to swim, fish, and hike the short trails (from 30 minutes to 4 hours). The park is accessible to regular two-wheel drives, but if you’d rather not stay in the park itself, there are more camping, glamping, and other accommodation options in nearby Marion Bay.
Yorketown and Pink Lakes
One of the Yorke Peninsula’s most attractive sights are the saline Pink Lakes. The Pink Lake Viewing Area is near Yorketown. There are around 200 of the small lakes, ranging in hue from the most subtle pinkish white to a vibrant red. Campers can stay at the caravan park in Yorketown, or at other camping spots on the Yorke Peninsula, including Port Arthur, and visit the lakes on a day trip.
When to go
As the beaches are one of the main attractions of the Yorke Peninsula, summer (December to February) is the best time to come, when the weather will be hot. This is also the busiest time of year as the school holidays run from mid-late December to late January. Come outside this peak time for a more peaceful experience and easier availability.
