01 Mar What camp activities work in Winter?
When it comes to winter camping ideas, South Australia has so much of the great outdoors. So there is no need to get comfortable being trapped in Netflix land. Here are some South Oz adventures worth remembering for years to come. From walking adventures to fishing and birding adventures, to school camps South Australia, it’s all here.
Before we continue, let’s observe the usual precautions and preparations, even for what seems to be familiar weather and climate conditions. Here are some tips:
– Bushwalks are pleasant from April to October. But bring a light jacket as you may end up sweating heavily.
– The cold and moisture at these times will result in wet and slippery tracks. So bring along non-slip shoes or shoes with good tread.
Our recommendations:
1) Kilsby Sinkhole, Limestone Coast The Kilsby Sinkhole is not just any other snorkeling spot in the area, located near Mount Gambier. The site only accepts bookings made via their website and does not allow walk-ins. But once you’re in, you will agree it is a total wonder: from the crystal clear waters to the light refractions, to amazing-looking moss walls. Be on the lookout too for Turtle the turtle! Note that there is no need for a cave driver’s license to swim here. If possible, enquire about the special gin recipe!
2) Flinders Ranges For those sightseeing and exploring in the rugged outback territory, the Flinders Ranges offers lots of options. One popular multi-day walking tour is the Arkaba Walk, which traverses Wilpena Pound, plus a big private wildlife property. This unique opportunity offers a close look into the amazing indigenous culture and gets you up close to Australian fauna and flora.
3) Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens The 97 hectares were designed to be a showcase for cooler-climate plants, but it has expanded into the beautiful park we know today. There are a lot of options for picnics ranging from wide-open spaces to smaller clearings for more privacy. Make sure to wear good shoes as some paths can be muddy or steep.
If you are thinking about parking options, there are two car parks. The lower car park is more convenient access to wider picnic areas, while the upper one accesses more private areas. If you want less foot traffic and more calm, then come early in the week. But if you want less litter, then come on a weekend as groundskeepers will be working on Fridays.
4) Cable Bay campground, Innes National Park If you prefer swimming spots that really get you away from it all, then you might be thinking of the near-empty beaches and stunner cliffs of the Innes National Park. One thing to cross off your bucket list is getting to camp out in the Cable Bay camp, then watch the dawn engulf the marine park.
The whole park is home to a range of activities to keep you busy: bushwalking, bird watching, wildlife spotting, photography, and fishing.
5) Talia Caves, Eyre Peninsula The Peninsula is a nature photographer’s paradise. The lonely dunes, rugged cliffs, and caves seem to be scenes from a fantasy movie. And a standout among all these is the Talia Caves camping site.
Bring some reliable hiking shoes and have everyone in the group look out for each other. Note that the nice wading pools might get the kids way too excited at the cost of safety. Some portions of the cave are also not worth the risk. But the whole dramatic scenery makes it all worth it and unforgettable.
6) Ocean Beach, Coorong National Park The many campgrounds in the park help visitors to enjoy the serenity of the waters or appreciate the majestic dunes that shield the Coorong from the onslaught of the ocean.
A four-wheel drive (4WD) is the most practical to navigate to this area. As always, sleeping under the stars with the concert of the waves nearby, and with a stunning dawn waking, you make it all worth it.
7) Go camping at Willow Creek Willow Creek Adventure Camp is near Victor Harbor and is set up for school camps, youth groups, special interest groups, community groups, family groups, and events. If you are thinking of a victor harbor school camp, this is an excellent option.
The camp is located on an 800-acre working farm and is operated by the multi-award-winning Surf & Sun and the “Beyond the Classroom” School camps. Willow Creek seeks to be Australia’s premium group accommodation and outdoor education centre during the week and term time. The adventure camp boasts a range of activities onsite for guests including a bike track, walking trail, raft dam, and more. Facilities include dorm rooms, commercial kitchen, teachers cottage, managers house, and camping.
This is actually still a shortlist! But this is enough to get you and your group off to a good cool-weather start.