Beach camping near Rapid Bay with hiking
Discover sandy beaches, soaring sea cliffs, and shipwrecks just 100 km from Adelaide.
- Rapid Bay
Popular camping styles for Rapid Bay
Beach camping near Rapid Bay with hiking guide
Overview
Hidden along the north shore of the Fleurieu Peninsula and hemmed in by soaring limestone cliffs, Rapid Bay makes a scenic stopover for intrepid campers. Once you’ve dug your toes in the sand and cooled off with a swim at Rapid Bay Beach, admire the views with a stroll along the Rapid Bay jetty, or head out to snorkel and scuba dive in the bay—known for its endangered Leafy Sea Dragon and numerous shipwrecks. Snag one of the unpowered sites at Rapid Bay Campground, or check into a holiday park or caravan park in nearby Second Valley, Yankalilla, or Normanville.
Where to go
McLaren Vale
Foodies, wine lovers, and sunseekers are all welcome in McLaren Vale, one of South Australia’s most prestigious wine regions. In between wine tasting, swing by local farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants to dine on fresh, seasonal cuisine, walk it off bushwalking or biking along the Coast to Vines trail, then cosy up around the campfire in the evening hours. Campers can take their pick of beachfront holiday parks, luxury glampsites, and national park campgrounds.
Fleurieu Peninsula
Stretching south of McLaren Vale, the Fleurieu Peninsula is the ideal destination for a long weekend from Adelaide, a family beach vacation, or a scenic coastal road trip. Surfers, snorkelers, and kayakers can explore the rocky coves and sea caves along the St Vincent Gulf shore, while the south coast towns of Victor Harbor and Goolwa are renowned for their wildlife-watching opportunities.
Kangaroo Island
Ferries and seaplanes set out from Cape Jervis at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula to Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third largest island. Wildlife-watching opportunities abound on the island, whether you’re marvelling at Admirals Arch and Remarkable Rocks in the Flinders Chase National Park, watching the Little Penguins in Penneshaw, or spotting seals and sea lions at Seal Bay. There are seven state-run camping areas to choose from, as well as several holiday parks and glamping options.
When to go
Summer is the busiest time to visit the Fleurieu Peninsula, when the vineyards are in full bloom and wildflowers speckle the coast. It’s often still warm enough for a beach day in late spring and early autumn, while winter visitors can make the most of the cooler weather with seaside hikes and seasonal whale-watching cruises along the coast.
