What are the best caravan parks in the Adelaide Hills? And if you like camping, where can you go camping in the Adelaide Hills? In this guide to caravan parks and camping in the Adelaide Hills, we’ll take you beyond the popular tourist town of Hahndorf to some lovely little caravan parks in Adelaide Hills towns like Mount Pleasant, Cudlee Creek, Mount Barker and Belair.
The Adelaide Hills is a beautiful area for bush camping too. For family fun and convenience, you can’t beat Woodhouse Activity Centre. If you want a simple, back to nature site, check out the ForestrySA campgrounds at Kuitpo and Mount Crawford or the native bush setting at Para Wirra Conservation Park.
Featured Image: Hahndorf Resort
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Adelaide Hills Caravan Parks
Hahndorf Resort
The Hahndorf Resort is on the outskirts of this popular Adelaide Hills town that celebrates its German heritage through the pubs, cafes, galleries and shops in the main street. There are also several Adelaide Hills wineries nearby including The Lane Vineyard and Hahndorf Hill Winery. In autumn the main street bursts into colour as the trees change colour, and Hahndorf is an ideal base for exploring nearby Stirling and Mount Lofty.
Part of the Discovery chain, Hahndorf Resort has all the features you would expect on big grounds with lovely views. There is a pool, a bouncy pillow, mini golf and playground, family bathrooms and Wi-Fi. And if you don’t feel like going down the main street for some bratwurst there is a restaurant in the park too. Hahndorf Resort is a picturesque place with lakes and ponds and plenty of bird life and caters to all styles of travel from modern cabins, drive through sites and unpowered camping.
Dogs are welcome at the Hahndorf Resort.
- Book your stay at Hahndorf Resort just a few minutes from Hahndorf Village
Mount Barker Caravan & Tourist Park
Only 10 minutes away from Hahndorf and 30 minutes from Adelaide, the Mount Barker Caravan Park is a lovely spot nestled between parks, walking and bike trails and the Mount Barker Pool. The setting gives it a lovely peaceful vibe. Like Hahndorf, Mount Barker is also a good base for exploring the Adelaide Hills more widely. You are only 20 minutes from the antique hub of Strathalbyn and less than 30 minutes from Monarto Safari Park and the Langhorne Creek wine region.
They have large drive through sites (and what caravan owner doesn’t like those two words!) and a range of cabin options. There is no camping here, self-contained accommodation only and the park has a no bikes/scooter or ball games in the park rule – there is an oval and bike track right next door. There is a small playground, Wi-Fi and some lovely outdoor eating areas around the park too.
Dogs are welcome on the sites but not in the cabins.
Belair National Park Holiday Park
This caravan park is in Belair National Park about 20 minutes from Adelaide, Stirling and the coast if you want to get to the beach. It’s bush setting gives the park a different feel to those at Hahndorf and Mount Barker. You could share your site with anything from kangaroos and echidnas to emus and koalas. There are lots of birds around too. Belair National Park has a dozen walking tracks and is a great spot to ride your bike around too. It is an ideal spot if you enjoy some nature play.
There is a huge range of accommodation options here from tent sites, powered and unpowered sites, cabins and cottages and glamping. Sites can accommodate large rigs too. Facilities include a laundry, pool, playground, and a TV room and Wi-Fi.
Dogs are welcome on all camping, unpowered and powered sites and some cabins. They can also be walked in the National Park on leash.
- Book your stay at Belair National Park Holiday Park here
Brownhill Creek Tourist Park
We have snuck this one in even though it is more in the foothills than the Adelaide Hills proper. Set in the Brownhill Creek State Recreation Park, You are only a couple of minutes from cafes and coffee shops, 10 minutes from the city centre, 15 minutes from the coast and Mounty Lofty and less than 25 minutes from Hahndorf. All this and you are still in a park setting with nature walks and bike trails.
Sprawling Brownhill Creek Tourist Park runs along the creek and is surrounded on three sides by steep hills. There is everything here from camping and ensuite sites to villas and cabins. There is an onsite café, laundry, playground, swimming pool, picnic area, TV room and lots of outdoor furniture so you can relax and take in the tranquillity of the place. You can access several walking and bike trails that let you explore the recreation park.
Dogs are allowed on powered and unpowered sites but not in cabins.
- Relax just 10 minutes from the city centre at Brownhill Creek Tourist Park
Shiloh Hills Park
This bush camp site in Ironbank is a hidden gem. Set on 40 acres, Shiloh Hills Park has been in the same family for over 100 years, and you’ll come across historic pointers to this on the walks you can do around the property. Located less than 30 minutes from Adelaide, 10 minutes from Stirling and 20 minutes from Hahndorf, this peaceful place is the perfect base for exploring the Adelaide Hills.
You’ll find a small number of basic powered sites. There aren’t the bells and whistles of the big chain caravan parks here, but there is a fantastic communal fire pit, a great value coin laundry, amenities and a spacious camp kitchen. What more could you want? It is a wonderfully tranquil place too; views down the gully, bush walks, no car noise, farm animals and lots of native wildlife including koalas. For our visit the park the hosts could not have been more helpful. It is a great value spot too.
Suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans, powered sites available.
Confirm when you book if you can bring your dog along.
Cudlee Creek Caravan Park
The Cudlee Creek Caravan Park is 40 minutes northeast of Adelaide and close to the Adelaide Hills townships of Gumeracha, home of the Big Rocking Horse, Lobethal and Birdwood. There are some lovely drives between the towns though valleys covered in fruit orchards. The caravan park is right across the road from Gorge Wildlife Park, a privately run zoo with a great collection of animals, kids will love it.
The Cudlee Creek Caravan Park is a pretty little park without the flash of larger chain parks. There are camping sites, powered sites and a small number of cabins. There are recently renovated amenities and laundry, Wi-Fi, open space for kids to run around and the River Torrens is right there for them to explore. You can also pop into the restaurant tavern for a meal or drink. The place was looking a picture with its yellow autumn leaves when we vistited.
Dogs are welcome at Cudlee Creek Caravan Park but must be kept on leash.
Mount Pleasant Caravan Park
The Mount Pleasant Caravan Park had a major renovation in 2023. There were 6 new cabins put on the site. New amenities and camp kitchen were added too and the sites were levelled and landscaped. With a fresh, new look, this great little caravan park sits between the town oval and the location of the popular Saturday morning Mount Pleasant Markets in Talunga Park.
Mount Pleasant is just over 60 minutes from Adelaide. It is only 30 minutes from the southern parts of the Barossa Valley, and it is also a good base for walking or cycling through the nearby Mount Crawford Forest. You are also only 10 minutes from Birdwood if you want to check out the National Motor Museum.
Williamstown Caravan Park
Like Mount Pleasant and Cudlee Creek Caravan Parks, Williamtown Caravan Park is northeast of Adelaide, it is a 60 minute drive from the CBD. We weren’t sure whether to include this one but it is less than 10 minutes from Mount Crawford and 20 minutes from Gumeracha and Birdwood so there is lots of Adelaide Hills fun to be had. You are on the doorstep of the Barossa Valley too. It is in a lovely spot by the town oval in Queen Victoria Jubilee Park nestled between a grove of pine trees.
This is only a small park, there are 30 powered sites, 4 cabins and a camping area. There is a laundry, amenities, camp kitchen and gas and electric BBQs. The kids will have the run of the oval, at the opposite end of the oval to the campground there are netball courts and a swimming pool too. It is only a short walk into town where there is an excellent bakery and cafes.
Adelaide Hills Camping
Woodhouse Activity Centre
If you are looking for a family friendly campsite close to Adelaide and in the Adelaide Hills, The Woodhouse Activity Centre is the place. It is in Piccadilly, 25 minutes from Adelaide CBD, 5 minutes from Stirling and 15 minutes from Hahndorf. The facility is run by Scouts SA and includes Disc (Frisbee) Golf, a tube slide, maze, climbing wall and the imposing Challenge Hill obstacle course which can be used with your camping fee.
Camping at Woodhouse Activity Centre is generally limited to weekends, public holidays and school holidays. There are 3 camping areas, and all have a central camp kitchen, amenities and fire pits (for use out of fire season). Besides the all the amazing activities that kids will love, there are also walking trails and plenty of wildlife. Woodhouse is the perfect place to take the family for a camping experience in the Adelaide Hills.
Suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans, all sites are unpowered.
Dogs are not allowed at the Woodhouse Activity Centre.
Chookarloo Campground – Kuitpo Forest
Available 1 April to 30 November annually
Kuitpo Forest is in the southern Adelaide Hills and the Chookarloo Campsite within the forest is a magic spot to go camping in the Adelaide Hills. The picnic area and campground are in a eucalypt area with the pine forest, so you get to experience a couple of different environments. Kuitpo is just under 60 minutes from Adelaide. Meadows is the closest town less than 10 minutes away and you are within 30 minutes of Stirling in one direction and Strathalbyn in the other. The Kuitpo TreeClimb is a couple of minutes down the road and an amazing spot to take the kids.
The Chookarloo Campsite is one for nature lovers. There are lots of walks you can do through the forest but exploring on bike is a great option and a good way to cover more ground. The sound of the wind in the trees is lovely, during summer the tracks are carpeted with butterflies and in May and June mushrooms and toadstools pop up everywhere. There are toilets here but that’s about it, you can bring your own gas BBQ. It gets busy here so make sure you book early to get a site.
Suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans, all sites are unpowered.
Dogs are allowed at Chookarloo on lead. They can be let off lead in other parts of the of forest.
Chalks Hills & Rocky Paddock Campground – Mount Crawford Forest
Available 1 April to 30 November
Right on 60 minutes from Adelaide, Chalks Hill and Rocky Paddock Campgrounds are in Mount Crawford Forest in the northern Adelaide Hills. From here you are within 10 minutes of Adelaide Hills towns like Gumeracha, Birdwood and Mount Pleasant. The two campgrounds are within a minute or two of each other, but Rocky Paddock is set amongst pine trees and large boulders, Chalks Hill is set amongst Eucalypts. No matter which one you choose they are both peaceful settings and a beautiful spot for a camping trip.
There are picnic shelters, well maintained drop toilets and rainwater. There are also firepits at the two campgrounds. Getting on your bike to explore the forest trails is a popular activity but you could also set off on foot. If you have a kayak you can go for a paddle at nearby South Para Reservoir. Otherwise, you can just sit back and relax in the beauty of the forest and enjoy the passing parade of wildlife.
Suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans, all sites are unpowered.
Dogs are allowed in Chalks Hill and Rocky Paddock but must be on lead. They can be let off lead in other parts of the of forest.
Wirra Campground – Para Wirra Conservation Park
Para Wirra is at the northern end of the Adelaide Hills region, but we love the walks through here so thought it was worth a mention. Despite its northern location, it is less than 50 minutes from Adelaide and less than 30 minutes from Birdwood, Lobethal and Gumeracha. At its best out of the height of summer, Para Wirra has some great native vegetation and, in spring, lots of wildflowers. Bring your walking shoes, there are a dozen great walks in the park and there are bike tracks too.
The Wirra Campsite is nicely organised with different areas for tents and caravans – the sites are pretty generous; you would get a medium size van in here. Set amongst lots of trees, there is a basic camp kitchen, flushing toilets and rainwater. Many of the sites also have fire pits. Wirra Campground is next to Humbug Scrub Wildlife Sanctuary, so you are a good chance of an animal encounter. If kids want to kick a ball around, head to Gawler View where there is a playground and oval. National Park entry fees apply.
Suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans, all unpowered sites.
Dogs are allowed at Para Wirra Conservation Park but must be kept on lead (max 2m long)
Onkaparinga River National Park – Pink Gum Campsite
We have slipped this one as the southernmost campsite. Ok, it might not quite be in the Adelaide Hills or Mount Lofty Ranges but its location 45 minutes from the CBD, 20 minutes from Meadows, 30 Minutes from Hahndorf and being on the doorstep of the McLaren Vale wine region meant we had to include it. Within the park there are over a dozen hikes that take you through pristine bushland, down into river valleys and along the rim of gorges. Some tracks are also suitable for mountain bikes.
There are only 11 campsites at the Pink Gum Campground so make sure you have booked before arriving. Facilities here include flushing toilets, a wash up area and rainwater. All the sites have their own fire pit and there are no National Park Fees to enter the park. As well as the great scenery and lots of wildlife, there is a lot of colonial history within the park which you can see on the 3.5km long Echidna Hike.
Suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans, all sites are unpowered.
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