The best camping near Mount Remarkable National Park

About 50 kilometres southeast of Port Augusta and 270 kilometres north of Adelaide, Mount Remarkable National Park contains some spectacular canyons and is a popular wildlife-spotting and hiking destination, with short and long trails. There are several campsites as well as cabins for travellers who want a bit more comfort. The park is a must-visit stop on road trips through South Australia, or because it’s about three hours’ drive north of Adelaide, it can also be visited on a weekend trip from the city.

• Best for families: Large Mambray Creek Campground has flushing toilets and showers
• Best for quiet nights: Baroota Campground has just 10 sites.
• Best for groups: Alligator Lodge sleeps up to 10 people in 3 rooms.

1. Check the availability on the dates you want to visit–certain campgrounds and accommodation are sometimes closed for repairs or for seasonal or weather-related reasons.
2. Book campgrounds and cabins online via the National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia website. You can choose your dates and number of people in your party, and adjust according to availability.
3. Campgrounds and cabins are most popular in the spring and autumn, so book as far in advance if possible if you want to visit in these seasons, or if your group is large.

April to October is the best time to visit Mount Remarkable National Park for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Temperatures are most comfortable then. Summers can be extremely hot and dry, and the risk from bushfires is very high. The park is closed when the fire risk reaches “catastrophic” levels. Most campers won’t find sleeping in a tent or hiking to be comfortable in the summer.

• Bring plenty of water when camping and hiking in the park. There are some water points within the park but the availability of water depends on seasonal rainfall and shouldn’t be relied upon.
• Wheelchair-accessible toilets can be found at the Mambray Creek Campground and at Willowie. Other locations in the park have basic toilets. 
• Campers should bring their own firewood, as gathering it isn’t allowed in the park. Fires aren’t allowed during bushfire danger season.
• The park is home to a lot of wildlife, and much of it isn’t shy. Look out for goannas, emus, kookaburras, echidnas, parrots, and eagles.