Canunda National Park
Canunda National Park view
Canunda National Park is around 428km from Adelaide. The closest large town to Canunda is Millicent.
The park lies between Lake Bonney and the Southern Ocean, and has wonderful views of the rugged coastline. The area of Southend at the top of the park is a beautiful spot and definitely worth a visit.
Like Little Dip Conservation Park, this park caters for those who love to 4WD. But there is access for those in 2WD – travel to Cape Buffon and take the 45min scenic hike (very easy – suited to all ages) and take in the wonderful coastline. There are other locations such as Boozy Gully and Geltwood Beach that you will be able to experience in a conventional vehicle.
Those in 4WD will be able to access much more of the park, but be sure to follow all guidelines, and know the area and your own limitations.
The park lies between Lake Bonney and the Southern Ocean, and has wonderful views of the rugged coastline. The area of Southend at the top of the park is a beautiful spot and definitely worth a visit.
Like Little Dip Conservation Park, this park caters for those who love to 4WD. But there is access for those in 2WD – travel to Cape Buffon and take the 45min scenic hike (very easy – suited to all ages) and take in the wonderful coastline. There are other locations such as Boozy Gully and Geltwood Beach that you will be able to experience in a conventional vehicle.
Those in 4WD will be able to access much more of the park, but be sure to follow all guidelines, and know the area and your own limitations.
Update: As of April 2017, bookings are required for many South Australian National Parks. You need to book your campsite and pay for it prior to departure. To check to see if you need to do so, you will need to check the following link and make all payments via this link.
Based on this new rule, some of the following information may have altered since we first visited and reviewed.
Campgrounds
Typical campsite at Canunda
There are a number of campgrounds within the Park but we can give you overview of 2 of them.
We wanted a campground that is close to the water, with good shelter and privacy.
The campgrounds we investigated were Nal-A-Wort and Kotgee.
We were a bit disappointed in them from the perspective that whilst some care had been taken with them (they had just laid down bark chips in each site), they were very much in the open, with little privacy between some of them.
There was no easy beach access.
One site, there was a lengthy walk to the beach.
Caravans and trailers will have no problem going to either site, but some of the sites are quite small, so I think Kotgee could be better suited for you.
From February 2015, you can book a campsite via www.parks.sa.gov.au/Home
We wanted a campground that is close to the water, with good shelter and privacy.
The campgrounds we investigated were Nal-A-Wort and Kotgee.
We were a bit disappointed in them from the perspective that whilst some care had been taken with them (they had just laid down bark chips in each site), they were very much in the open, with little privacy between some of them.
There was no easy beach access.
One site, there was a lengthy walk to the beach.
Caravans and trailers will have no problem going to either site, but some of the sites are quite small, so I think Kotgee could be better suited for you.
From February 2015, you can book a campsite via www.parks.sa.gov.au/Home
Typical campsite at Canunda
Facilities
Modern pit toilets at each campground.
Bring your own water.
Bring your own water.
Activities
This is 4WD driver paradise. Amazing coastline with lots of beautiful beaches. Fishing is apparently excellent at the right times!
If 4WD is not your thing, there are bushwalks, beaches to explore and scenery to view, plus fishing of course if you can access the coastline.
Cape Buffon view
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Cape Buffon view
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Note regarding Southend
At the top of the park is the beautiful area known as Southend. After we returned, we heard positive comments about staying at the Southend Caravan Park, which we had driven by, without giving it much thought to its suitability as we don’t tend to go to Caravan Parks.
But apparently the Southend Caravan Park runs bush camping that is only accessible if you book, plus have access via a locked gate. Other guests have told us of how lovely it is, and worth staying in this bushland area if you are not travelling at peak times (so I would avoid long weekends and holidays). Access to beach is meant to be close by. Pity we did not know that BEFORE we headed down that way.
Recommendations
This area is worth a visit because of the beautiful scenery, and it really is a part of South Australia that we recommend that you see. Southend would be a lovely spot to base yourself as you spend the days looking at Canunda and Beachport and even up to Robe.
For children, when the weather is fine, a lot more for them to do – with access to all those beaches, there is never a dull moment.
The camping grounds we saw within Canunda (and admittedly we did not see them all), did not hold any appeal to us. Too barren, and shelter and privacy was minimal.
At the top of the park is the beautiful area known as Southend. After we returned, we heard positive comments about staying at the Southend Caravan Park, which we had driven by, without giving it much thought to its suitability as we don’t tend to go to Caravan Parks.
But apparently the Southend Caravan Park runs bush camping that is only accessible if you book, plus have access via a locked gate. Other guests have told us of how lovely it is, and worth staying in this bushland area if you are not travelling at peak times (so I would avoid long weekends and holidays). Access to beach is meant to be close by. Pity we did not know that BEFORE we headed down that way.
Recommendations
This area is worth a visit because of the beautiful scenery, and it really is a part of South Australia that we recommend that you see. Southend would be a lovely spot to base yourself as you spend the days looking at Canunda and Beachport and even up to Robe.
For children, when the weather is fine, a lot more for them to do – with access to all those beaches, there is never a dull moment.
The camping grounds we saw within Canunda (and admittedly we did not see them all), did not hold any appeal to us. Too barren, and shelter and privacy was minimal.
Southend Jetty (on grey, rainy day)