SA - Yorke Peninsula-Wauraltee Beach

This was our first free camp on the Yorke Peninsula and we chose a great spot. After four klms of dirt road we arrived at the beach, backed our van facing it and enjoyed the view. We were the only ones here and at first felt a little nervous but later we relaxed and appreciated the fact that you could pull up somewhere so beautiful and it not cost you a cent. We went for a couple of walks along the beach and found several abalone shells which were almost perfect.
The sunset was spectacular as it set over the ocean.
What a spot!

Camping spot #398
Hema 68 G4
Head west at Wauraltee on 4 klms dirt road.

SA -Yorke Peninsula-Wallaroo

Wallaroo is a major grain exporting centre for the area. The jetty is large and is always busy with people fishing. Unfortunaltely, the end of the jetty has been closed to the public and can only be accessed by the employees silos.
Between two of the jettys is a large swimming area which has a shark net around in the summer time. The water was lovely and warm while we were here.
There are two camping areas in town. We stayed at the Office Beach Holiday Park which is a very small park within walking distance to down town and the jetty. The amenities block was small but clean. There was an outside shower which was handy after our swim in the ocean. The fee for one night was $22.00.
There is also another park in town which is much larger and looks lovely. It is the Wallaroo North Beach Tourist Park.
They have recently built a marina in Wallaroo which has a restaurant, bottle shop and apartments. We had lunch here and it was lovely sitting watching the water. One of my favourite pastimes.

Office Beach Holiday Cabins and Caravan Park
11 Jetty Rd
Ph: 08 8823 2722

SA - Port Augusta

Port Augusta is known as the crossroads of Australia. It is where the major north/ south and east/west highways meet.
We chose the Shoreline Caravan Park because of the name. We had not seen a river or the ocean for a while and the name sounded as though we might be in luck to view some water.
The park certainly was on water but we felt like we were imprisoned. There were high fences all the way around with barbed wire across the top. All the gates that led out onto the sand and the water were locked and the only way in or out was through the main gate. We had an uneasy feeling when the lady at reception told us to keep our van and car locked at all times as thieves may be around.
The park has a pool. Even though it is small it was a life saver in the 40 degree heat. The park is large with two amenities blocks which are very clean, a TV room and play area for the children.
The park is a Top Tourist member so the fee was $22.50 a night.

Shoreline Caravan Park
Gardiner Ave
Port Augusta, SA
Ph: 08 8642 2965

SA - Roxby Downs

This is the only caravan park in town so this makes things easy. The park has many cabins but only a few camping sites. We were lucky enough to get one with trees as a semi permanent site had just been vacated. The normal caravan section is very barren, on gravel and no shade.
The two amenities were large and clean. They also have a lovely grassed area for barbeques. The owners are wonderful and there is a book exchange at the office.
We came up this way to visit Woomera and noodle for opals at Andamooka. Unfortunately the temperature was up in the 40’s for both days that we were here so very little noodling was done.

Myall Grove Holiday Park
56-94 Burgoyne St
Roxby Downs SA 5725
Ph: 08 8671 1991
website: www.aspenparks.com.au

SA - Coober Pedy

We had been recommended by several people to stay at the Stuart Range Caravan Park and were very happy here. Many of the sites were covered by shade cloth which helped keep the direct heat off the van.
The amenities block was clean, a good camp kitchen with lots of seating and a beautiful swimming pool. As it was in the 40’s while we were here so the pool was a life saver.
The park also has a pizza restaurant with delicious pizza’s. They have thin crusts which are my favourite and very generous with their tasty toppings.
The powered site was $24.00 with our Big 4 discount.

Stuart Range Caravan Park (a Big 4 member)
cnr Hutchinson St and Stuart Hwy.
08 8672 5179

NT - SA Border

This rest area is 273 klms south of Alice Springs and on the border. There are information boards about what to see in both states as well as a bit of history.
There are many parking bays for large vehicles. Fires are permitted and there is a wood barbeque available. There are two drop toilets which don’t smell which amazes me out here in this heat.
A good place to stop.
Hema Camps 4, stop #54.
Hema 100 K7

NT - Finke River Rest Area

This free camp area is 126 klms south of Alice Springs beside the river, or should we say beside the dry river bed.
Number 42 in the Hema maps.
We had a lovely night camping here with three other couples and lit a fire which was much needed as the temperature dropped to 6 degrees. Mike got up in the morning and re started the fire which was fantastic to wake up to.
There is a toilet block and two covered eating areas but as the rest area is beside the road the road trains feel like they are rolling right next to your bed.

NT - West Macdonnell Ranges

Glen Helen Resort

132 klms west of Alice Springs on Namatjira Drive is Glen Helen Resort. There is a lodge as well as a large camp ground. There is no need to book as people tend to only stay here a couple of days while exploring the fantastic surrounding areas.
The campsites have a few trees, and a couple of patches of grass for tents, and the rest is good old red dirt. The toilet block has four shower and toilet units for the camp ground as well as a block of four toilets and three showers for the bus tours.(We also used these as the park was quite busy while we were there.)
There is a pool, a restaurant, nightly entertainment and the Glen Helen Gorge is only a ten minute walk from the Resort. The Gorge is also a beautiful spot to swim but a little chilly.
The resort faces the Ranges which is spectacular at sunrise and again in the evening with the resort lights reflecting on the rock.
The cost is $32.00 per night for a powered site.

Glen Helen Resort
Namatjira Drive,
West Macdonnell Ranges
08 8956 7489

NT - Uluru

Yulara Campground

Yulara is about 20 klms from Uluru and is the only place to stay while out in this area.
It is like a small town with several differently priced resorts from luxury to the camp sites. There is a small shopping centre and several restaurants.
The camp area had a large number of sites with concrete slabs, two toilet and laundry blocks and a pool. The pool is very small considering the large number of the camp sites and was very crowded every afternoon especially when the buses rolled in.
While there, we had a huge wind storm and for a few moments there was red dust everywhere and I thought that we were going to loose our awning. As more clouds rolled in and it began to rain we drove out to Uluru in the expectation that it would be raining on the rock. We stayed out there for a couple of hours only to watch the rain fall all around us but missing the rock.
We loved the area so much that we came here and stayed on two different occasions. Our camp sites were $36.00 per night.

Voyages Ayers Rock Campground
Yulara Dr, Yulara, NT
Ph: 08 8957 7001
www.voyages.com.au

NT - Watarrka National Park ( Kings Canyon)

The Voyages Kings Canyon Resort is nearly at the end of the sealed section along the Luritja Rd. This resort has cabins as well as the camping area.
Our camping spot faced the stunning mountain range so at sunset, we grabbed our chairs, wine glasses, cameras and sat and lapped up the view. After the sun set the dingoes began their prowling so you didn’t leave any shoes outside.
There were several toilet blocks which was a bonus as each afternoon a bus load of teenagers arrived for the night.
The pool is big and at the time we were there it was rather cold but after a morning walking the canyon rim in the heat, the freshness was very welcome.


Voyages Kings Canyon Resort
Luritja Rd, Watarrka National Park, NT
Ph: 08 8956 7442
www.voyages.com.au

NT - Alice Springs

Alice Springs has several caravan parks and during our month in this area we have stayed at four of them. They are all within a few hundred metres of each other on the southern end of the city.

The Big 4 Macdonnell Range Holiday Park
Palm Place, Alice Springs, NT
Ph: 08 8952 6111
www.macrange.com.au


This has the best facilities with three pools, jumping pillows and big play ground for the children and shady sites with concrete slabs for caravans. As like most Big 4’s it was a little more expensive at $37.00 per night. All the amenities were lovely and clean and the usual high standard. There are also many cabins.

HeavitreeGap Outback Lodge
Palm Place, Alice Springs,NT
Ph: 08 8950 4444
www.auroraresorts.com.au

This is a resort as well as camping ground. The rates are very reasonable at $27.00 for a powered site and with our discount it was only $21.00 which is always a bonus. The pool area is lovely and there is a small children's play ground. There was shade and patches of grass here and there. Our only negative comment was that while we were there, each night two bus loads of teenagers arrived and disturbed the quiet. Some of the teachers did a great job controlling the kids and other teachers didn’t seem to care and let them run riot.


Alice Springs Heritage Caravan and Tourist Park
Ragonesi Rd, Alice Springs,NT.
Ph: 08 8953 1418
www.heritagecp.com

We chose this park because we are heading home for a month and this place has a very good storage rate.
The amenities block is lovely and clean and the pool is beautiful. The biggest of all the local parks. The shop here is the caravan spare parts depot. During the winter months a resident caravan repair man works from this park.
There are no concrete blocks for caravans, a few sites with a little grass and most of the area is just dirt underfoot.

G-Day Mate
Palm Place, Alice Springs, NT

This is a smaller park in the same area as the other three. It has a lot of grass sites, a small pool and modern and clean amenities block. There is a restaurant beside it which has great pizzas.