Devils Marbles camping area Devils Marbles, Raelene Woods
If John McDouall Stuart, the great explorer who was the first European to forge a path through Australia’s interior, saw the route from Adelaide to Darwin today, he wouldn’t recognise it.
For one thing, the road is covered in bitumen. And for another, there are some fantastic designated camping areas lining the route – a luxury he wouldn’t have conceived of.
Here are the best places to spend the night along one of Australia’s great drives.
View by name, view by nature – Ranges View rest area has a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. As it’s only a short drive out of Port Augusta, you probably won’t need to spend the night here.
Around two hours south of famous mining town Coober Pedy, Bon Bon rest area is an opal of an overnight stop, with great facilities and plenty of space space.
Good amenities and a great view – and all at the hefty sum of zero dollars a night.
Desert Oaks rest area is one camping area you can take at face value. The rest area is shaded and has good facilities.
This rest area is on the banks of the Finke River, a famous river that has its source inthe West MacDonnells.
The scenery here might not equal that at the previous stop, but it has good facilities and a large space suitable for all sorts of rigs.
7. Devils Marbles camping area
A camping area in close proximity to one of the best rock formations in Australia? No, you haven’t lost your marbles, you’ve found them again at Devils Marbles camping area, with a seriously good view and facilities.
8. Banka Banka Homestead camping area
A large, grassy, shaded, dog-friendly camping area near the highway – yes, please!
9. Twelve Mile Yards camping area
Twelve kilometres off the highway on the banks of the Roper River, you’ll be ropeable if you miss out on a night at this fantastic camping area.
Gorge yourself on the views from Nitmiluk National Park’s famous gorges after spending the night at Edith Falls camping area, next to a waterhole 19 kilometres off the highway.
Sometimes simple accommodation is best – how about this large, shaded rest area in Adelaide River?
Some stops are worth travelling off the highway for – like this park area near the famous pools at Berry Springs.
