It's no surprise that South Australians love to get away for a weekend escape or camping trip, and many of us usually gravitate towards water. As a regular visitor to the Fleurieu and south coast, I had never made it over to Hindmarsh Island until recently. Check out this little escape just over an hour's drive south of Adelaide.
Plenty of open space in the unpowered camping area
is located at the western end of Hindmarsh Island, just a couple of minutes drive over the bridge from Goolwa. The park has powered and unpowered campsites tucked amongst clusters of huge pine trees – a haven for white cockatoos each day. You'll notice a bit of noise from these birds as they are very active at certain times of the day and will drop a lot of pine debris while they flock above you. But you get to enjoy plenty of open space and it's otherwise quiet and peaceful. If you prefer a solid roof, there are self-contained cabins available in grassed areas.
The park has simple facilities including a shower & toilet block, and a basic kitchenette with washing machines, microwave and sink. BBQ facilities are minimal, so you might need to be self-contained for cooking. For the kids, there are large jumping pillows and a swimming pool. Pets are welcome, and campfires are permitted outside of the fire danger season with fire drums and wood available from reception.
If you need some basic supplies, the reception is also a fully-licenced shop stocking some beer, wine and spirits, as well as ice, snacks, firewood and fishing bait.
Boat ramp and mini-beach
The park is situated on the northern edge of the island, and whilst it doesn't have immediate waterfront access, it is set just back from the river flowing from Lake Alexandrina nearby, with a boat ramp and mini-beach immediately opposite the park entrance. Its location is perfect for a variety of water activities – here's a handful of things you could do nearby:
* Jet skiing, water skiing or paddleboarding
* Launch a boat or windsurfer
* Fishing on the river or nearby beaches (hire is available)
* Surfing – the south coast offers some of SA's best surf breaks
* Visit the
Coorong National Park – several tourism operators offer relaxed tours of the wetlands & sand dunes and the Murray mouth which separates the Coorong from the ocean. You can enjoy bird watching, boating, kayaking, fishing, walking and 4WD driving in this area.
* Visit Goolwa for cafes, breweries, shopping and local attractions.
