Spear Creek

Spear Creek Caravan Park is not like your ordinary caravan park, and that is what appeals to us, and why you might find it an enjoyable stopover heading to the Flinders Ranges, or returning from further inland.

Located no more than 4 hours drive from Adelaide, about 25km south East of Port Augusta, this is a working farm, but with a distinct area reserved for all sorts of campers.        

When booking this location, and researching online we came across a lot of old information and reviews from people who had visited a few years ago, some actually dating back to 2007, and the information was now, very outdated  and not necessarily accurate - so that's why we think you will appreciate a fresh and up to date review of this property.

Campground

There are 4 main choices of camping at Spear Creek.        Cabins, powered sites , unpowered  sites  and bush camping.       Your choice will depend on the sort of camping you like to do.     We chose bush camping, but more on that later.....

We were welcomed at the check in area of the campground (where they sell Dorper lamb - frozen, but at a good price, so keep that in mind to take some home) and personally taken to the campsite where we would be staying.  A nice welcome, especially if you are new to the area.

On the way to the bush camping area, we passed the the cabin accommodation, which are old style and nothing fancy, and we didn't go in any of them, so we can't say about the conditions or facilities - we suggest if you are interested in this style of accommodation, you contact the caravan park directly via the website    https://www.spearcreekcaravanpark.com.au/

The bush camping area is totally separated from the caravan park area - via a gate and from what we could see there were 3 main campsites in this area.    

These 3 areas (there could have been more, but we didn't see any designated areas) are not close to each other which means you will not have campers right next to you, and you can spread out.     

Each of the 3 areas, as seen by the below pictures, are spacious and can fit small groups or larger groups of campers.       When booking, you might want to advise how many are camping there so you get the best site for your needs.     All bush campsites could accommodate camper trailers and caravans.

All bush camping areas had plenty of shade around them from the large gum trees (not ideal for hammock camping, as there are no smaller trees by the campsite we stayed at), but lovely afternoon shade from the warm spring weather we encountered.        Much of the area is grassed, but with horses wandering through, the grass is sparse in places!

Facilities

If you are looking for powered and unpowered sites, close to the shower blocks, then  you have a lovely, very relaxing part of the property to stay as well.    

You won't be crammed up against other campers, and the feel is very much unlike the typical caravan park, where you are squashed like sardines!       The sites are level and surrounded by beautiful shady trees, and you won't forget you are in the Flinders Ranges.  

Toilets and shower blocks are a short walk from the sites.

(Picture below is of the non powered area overlooking the powered sites)

Powered campsites are situated by each of the large trees pictured, and there is a large communal campfire (fire restrictions permitting) surrounded by old logs, perfect for gathering around at the end of each day.

In the main section of the caravan park, there are showers and toilets.           Wood is available for purchase for your campfires, but when we were there they had run out, so it might pay to check before arrival, and BYO firewood.

At the bush camping sites, there is a flushing toilet (luxury!!) and spring fed water on tap, is nearby - one of the campsites, you have to walk to another site to get to the water, but it's not a long walk.     The toilet was clean and not smelly.    

There are firepits already there for your campfire and bins at each bush campsite.

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Activities

There are 4WD tracks available to drive - we didn't so can't give any details on them - but enquire via the website for further information and costing.

Spear Creek is a lovely place to chill out, and our children loved the horses that just wandered through and around the campsite area.    We have seen so much Australian wildlife on our camping adventures, that we are probably don't get that excited by seeing a kangaroo or emu anymore, but horses?   Kids hadn't had that on a camping trip before!   That was a big highlight for them, patting and feeding them!   Country children may not get a thrill by this, but those who don't encounter horses too often, will enjoy  (just watch out for the numerous piles of poo around the the place left by them - we had to shovel some away from our camping area!!).

There is a walk along the dry creek bed to see the springfed creek - its a fair walk, but nothing strenuous or hilly, and easily done by all ages.    Water wasn't flowing too much when we got there, but we did get to soak our feet on a warm day!

Recommendation

We enjoyed our one night there very much (despite managing to burn our roast lamb to a crisp in a too-hot camp oven!)   It was a very tranquil place to stay and you really did feel like you were in the Flinders.   The nights are beautiful with the millions of the stars.   I think winter and spring are the best times to visit, though the warm weather means you need to bring a head net to keep out the flies .....they were atrocious!!

Booking is probably recommended, as space is limited and its a long way to go and find out you don't have a spot!  You can make enquiries via the contact information listed on the website:    http://www.spearcreekcaravanpark.com.au/

All of our emails were answered very quickly and helpfully.

Cost to stay there at the time we visited was $9 per adult, $4 per child, per night.