When you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city there's nothing quite like a camping trip with the family. Located 108 kilometres south of Adelaide, is one of the best campsites around. Stringybark Campsite in Deep Creek Conservation Park is all you need, and more, for a relaxing family weekend.
In this post, we'll tell you all about the beautiful Stringybark campsite, our favourite parts about it, and some important information you should know before you visit.
One of the best parts about Stringybark campsite and Deep Creek Conservation Park is the native wildlife. The park is home to a plethora of wildlife. You wont have to look far to see kangaroos, kookaburras, or even an echidna or two. Deep Creek Conservation Park is also home to more than a hundred different species of birds.
Deep Creek Conservation Park also preserves the biggest portion of remnant native vegetation in the whole of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Care must be taken to allow these native plants to continue to flourish, and plants must never be removed from the park.
There are 16 campsites in total at Stringybark, most allowing 2-3 cars per site. It is the perfect place to take the whole family for a relatively inexpensive holiday. You can set up a tent, cook dinner over a campfire and end the night toasting marshmallows.
At this campsite, there are toilets and hot showers available for use, but any water required for drinking will need to bring into the park yourself. Camp fires are permitted at Stringybark Campsite, only between the 1st of May and the 31st of October. All other times during the year camp fires and solid-fuel fires are prohibited. Gas barbecues and equipment are still permitted at these times, except on total fire ban days.
The campsite is surrounded by wildlife. It makes for a truly magical camping experience, though it does mean there are a couple of extra rules to follow. Do your best not to disturb any of the local wildlife with your camping set up, and don't feed the animals. Feeding the wildlife can cause them to become aggressive in the future with other campers as they will try to take food.
Make sure you clean up any rubbish from your camping trip, and take it with you. This is to keep the conservation park clean, make it a great experience for the next lot of campers coming, and to protect the wildlife from trying to ingest anything that is unsafe for them to eat.
Collecting firewood from within the park is prohibited. If you wish to have a camp fire, you must bring your own wood to burn. This is to preserve the park and the wildlife within in.
Avoid setting up tents under trees with overhanging branches. This is prevent any loose branches falling on your tent unexpectedly. It is also worth checking the area for insect nests when choosing the best spot to set up. Stringybark campsite is also suitable for caravan and trailer access.
The campsite is easily accessible with a 2WD vehicle, though just keep in mind that if you wish to access other parts of Deep Creek Conservation Park, such as Blowhole Beach, then you will require a 4WD.
There is so much you can do when you go camping at Deep Creek. There are a variety of walking and hiking tracks all through the park, and around the Stringybark Campsite. Have a look at the National Parks SA website to find the walking tracks that would be most suited to you.
Close by is Cobbler Hill and Blowhole Beach. Both of these amazing spots are also within Deep Creek Conservation Park. Cobbler Hill has a lovely picnic spot and is great for seeing local wildlife, and has great views right across to Kangaroo Island. There's no doubt that only a short walk away you'll find a mob of kangaroos. Cobbler Hill has a 2WD accessible car park for those wanting to walk down to Blowhole Beach.
If you follow the track from Cobbler Hill, you'll find yourself on a steep walking track filled with native vegetation. This track will lead you to the amazing Blowhole Beach. This beach is one of our favourites and a hidden treasure. There is a 4WD track all the way down the hill, but regardless of how you get there, it is certainly worth the trip.
When you enter Deep Creek Conservation Park there are a few things that you'll need to know. Pets aren't allowed within the park. Unfortunately this means you'll have to leave the dog at home for this trip. This is mainly for the safety of the dogs and the native wildlife in the area.
Mountain-biking is permitted on vehicle roads throughout the park though, but not on the walking tracks.
The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Deep Creek Conservation Park is closed on Catastrophic Fire Danger days.
Regardless of whether you're in Deep Creek Conservation Park for camping or just a day trip, you'll need a vehicle entry pass. Park Passes can be purchased online or from the General Store in Delamere. Alternatively you could purchase an annual park pass that covers other National Parks as well. We did this and it has been great for taking the family out on lots of different day trips.
There is a lot that you could bring camping with you. The basic items you'll need are some sort of shelter, sleeping gear, clothes, rubbish bags, food, drinking water and a torch. If you plan on having a camp fire, you'll also need to bring your own fire wood.
One of the best things about Stringbark Campsite is that it's great for everything from basic camping set ups to fully decked out caravans. Depending on your preferences you could pack a whole kitchen to make the family a nice camping dinner, or simply take them all to Cape Jervis for dinner at the pub.
There are around 15 different walking tracks in Deep Creek Conservation Park. They all vary from basic walks to intense hikes. Regardless of the track you decide to take, there's a few things you will probably need to have with you.
For starters, having some strong and sturdy shoes will be essential. You will need to take note of the weather conditions to ensure you take what is essential for your trip. During the warmer months, a hat and sunscreen are essential. You will also need to make sure you have enough water with you, as there is none available along the tracks.
Make sure when you go for walks that you stick to the designated walking tracks. Respect for the local flora and fauna is a must as well.
So the next time you're looking for an absolutely amazing camping spot, look no further than Stringybark Campsite. The location is picturesque and ideal for a family holiday. It's the type of place that will create fond memories for years to come.
If you have any other suggestions of where we should go, let us know! We want to hear about all the amazing places that South Australia has to offer.
Stringybark Campsite: Deep Creek Conservation Park
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