Moorook Riverfront Reserve
Moorook Riverfront Reserve is an unsung hero of down to earth camping options in South Australia.
There's plenty of camping areas and caravan parks along the Murray River in South Australia. They range from dusty clearings with no facilities, through to glitzy family parks complete with water parks and luxury cabins. The prices also range wildly from free, through to hundreds of dollars a night.
While planning a trip to the Riverland last year, we were shocked at the cost of a powered campsite in some locations. We were pleasantly surprised when we found this little gem off the beaten track in Moorook and decided to share it here.
Image source: Google Maps
Just a few kilometres south of the Sturt Highway, Moorook is a small settlement of under 200 people. It's right on the banks of the Murray River between Loxton and Kingston-On-Murray - about 2.5 hours by road from Adelaide. You may have seen the name before as it is home to one of Nippy's Fruit Juices processing facilities and is nearby to a couple of game reserves.
The reserve is immaculately kept with wide bright green lawns gently sloping to the river. It's ideal for water sports and water play. It has a boat ramp and shelters right on the river's edge, a shaded playground, free electric barbecues, picnic tables, and clean toilet facilities.
Not only is it an attractive spot to stop for a shady picnic while on the road, but it is also well set up for camping and RV parking. There is a RV dump point and three power outlets for powered camping. Fire baskets are provided on-site for cosy campfires in the cooler months. Filtered river water is available but it is not suitable for drinking. All this for just $12 a night! You can pay at a ticket machine near the entrance and display your permit on your vehicle for the council to check.
Just across the road is the Moorook General Store for bait, fuel, ice, and other essentials. The re-invented local club, M.A.D. Bar and Bistro is just a short walk away for a variety of hearty club meals and drinks served in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Next time you're planning a trip to (or through) the Riverland, consider Moorook as a friendly and beautiful little location to add to your list. As always, it's those spots that are just a little bit off the beaten track that are the best.
