Stony Creek Bush Camp
Stony Creek Bush Camp is a private bush camp located 2.5kms outside the town of Wilmington in the Southern Flinders Ranges.
To reach Wilmington is about a 3.5 hour drive north from Adelaide.
To reach Wilmington is about a 3.5 hour drive north from Adelaide.
Getting there
To reach Stony Creek Bush Camp via the scenic route, you can either head north from Adelaide along the Horrocks Highway (B82) passing through the Clare Valley (wine region) and the town of Laura (home of Golden North Ice-Cream).
Alternatively, you can take a more direct route along the Princes Highway (A1) and then turn right towards Port Germein Gorge before reaching the Horrocks Highway (B82) and continuing north through Murraytown, Melrose and then onto Wilmington.
Both options are a journey of 300 kms from Adelaide, however the A1 option can potentially save you about 20-30 minutes of driving.
Once you've arrived in Wilmington, you'll need to head east along Tuckwell Street (Look for blue 'Stony Creek Bush Camp 3.5km' signage or the Wilmington Pub which is on the opposite corner).
After 1.5km, you'll then need to veer right onto Stony Creek Road (also marked with Blue 'Stony Creek Bush Camp 2km' Signage) and after 2km of travel along dirt road, you'll find Stony Creek Bush Camp on your right.
Alternatively, you can take a more direct route along the Princes Highway (A1) and then turn right towards Port Germein Gorge before reaching the Horrocks Highway (B82) and continuing north through Murraytown, Melrose and then onto Wilmington.
Both options are a journey of 300 kms from Adelaide, however the A1 option can potentially save you about 20-30 minutes of driving.
Once you've arrived in Wilmington, you'll need to head east along Tuckwell Street (Look for blue 'Stony Creek Bush Camp 3.5km' signage or the Wilmington Pub which is on the opposite corner).
After 1.5km, you'll then need to veer right onto Stony Creek Road (also marked with Blue 'Stony Creek Bush Camp 2km' Signage) and after 2km of travel along dirt road, you'll find Stony Creek Bush Camp on your right.
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Campground
The campground is operated by fantastic hosts - Wayne and Kellie. You can either make a prior booking (recommended on holiday weekends and school holidays) or just rock up.
The campground offers a range of sites either grassed or gravelled for you to choose from in a magnificent natural bush setting. There are both marked out powered ($15pp per night) and un-marked non-powered ($10pp per night) sites available.
The campground offers a range of sites either grassed or gravelled for you to choose from in a magnificent natural bush setting. There are both marked out powered ($15pp per night) and un-marked non-powered ($10pp per night) sites available.
Many of the sites back up to Stony Creek providing a picturesque back drop of both the creek and adjacent farming properties. The campground is full of lush gum trees throughout the property not only providing effective shade, but also stunning scents and wildlife sounds. It’s common to also see Western Grey Kangaroos, Euros and Emus running around through the day, while the Possums do enjoy coming out at night time!
The sites are very levelled, grassed sites are more than adequate for setting up tents and swags, gravelled areas are ideal for caravans and camper trailers and all sites are within a short walk of all amenities.
Often when I visit, there are only 3-4 other sites being utilised which makes it a very quiet and peaceful stay. I have also visited on a long weekend however and during these periods the camp ground becomes full to capacity and does change the experience - naturally.
I love the ability the unmarked unpowered sites provides when camping with large groups as you can set up camp to incorporate everyone while also feeling like you have the freedom to continue to enjoy your surrounds. The hosts are more than happy for you to spread out when the campground isn’t busy.
The bush camp applies many of the same rules as a typical caravan park but with a few exceptions.
Camp fires are allowed (when not in fire ban season - check with hosts), however no firewood can be collected or cut down within the property. Firewood is available for purchase ($15 for a barrow-load).
You are asked, due to the location of the bush camp in an Arid Environment, to keep shower lengths to 3-4 minutes to assist with the preservation of water supplies.
There are no clear cut rules on noise - however a decent level of respect should be shown for other campers.
I love the ability the unmarked unpowered sites provides when camping with large groups as you can set up camp to incorporate everyone while also feeling like you have the freedom to continue to enjoy your surrounds. The hosts are more than happy for you to spread out when the campground isn’t busy.
The bush camp applies many of the same rules as a typical caravan park but with a few exceptions.
Camp fires are allowed (when not in fire ban season - check with hosts), however no firewood can be collected or cut down within the property. Firewood is available for purchase ($15 for a barrow-load).
You are asked, due to the location of the bush camp in an Arid Environment, to keep shower lengths to 3-4 minutes to assist with the preservation of water supplies.
There are no clear cut rules on noise - however a decent level of respect should be shown for other campers.
Amenities
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There is toilet, shower, camp kitchen, water, rubbish and LPG gas facilities available.
There are two separate toilet/shower blocks. The main block has the toilets and showers in separate buildings. There are 4 male and 4 female toilets that properly function and flush and are situated in a corrugated iron purpose built building. There are 4 shared showers that provide a wide spray coverage and the water is very warm in a circular cement block. The secondary block has 2 toilet/shower combination rooms.
There are two separate toilet/shower blocks. The main block has the toilets and showers in separate buildings. There are 4 male and 4 female toilets that properly function and flush and are situated in a corrugated iron purpose built building. There are 4 shared showers that provide a wide spray coverage and the water is very warm in a circular cement block. The secondary block has 2 toilet/shower combination rooms.
The undercover and sheltered camp kitchen facilities are fantastic with a stove, oven, fridge, freezer, sink (no hot water), kettle, toaster and ample tables and chairs available to use. The camp kitchen also has a fireplace to keep the space toasty during the winter months. Within the camp kitchen, there is also a dart board and a range board games available to play with.
Water from the taps is sourced from the South Australian mains supply. Rubbish bins are well spread throughout the campground to ensure there is no excuse for leaving any rubbish lying around.
If you happen to run out of gas during your stay, there is no need to worry as the hosts will be more than happy to refill your gas bottle on site for a fee.
As mentioned above, there are also fire pits (individual and communal) spread throughout the campground available for use.
Bunkhouse and Twin Ensuite Accommodation Rooms are also available for those who want to spend a night out of the elements or who are just passing through. To book a bed in the bunkhouse for the night costs $15 per bed and to book a twin room with ensuite will cost $65. Be sure to check their Facebook page for up to date pricing.
If you happen to run out of gas during your stay, there is no need to worry as the hosts will be more than happy to refill your gas bottle on site for a fee.
As mentioned above, there are also fire pits (individual and communal) spread throughout the campground available for use.
Bunkhouse and Twin Ensuite Accommodation Rooms are also available for those who want to spend a night out of the elements or who are just passing through. To book a bed in the bunkhouse for the night costs $15 per bed and to book a twin room with ensuite will cost $65. Be sure to check their Facebook page for up to date pricing.
There is also a kitchen available on site which serves up really tasty ‘pub-styled’ dinners for a cheap price. Current menu is available ether by calling through, viewing the Facebook page or upon arrival. The Bushman’s Burger with Chips and Gravy is absolutely recommended.
Activities
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The hosts of Stony Creek Bush Camp operate a laser skirmish field within the property that is available for hire. This is a great activity for the family (or families) to run around in the bush while engaging in some safe and competitive combat together.
There is also a playground and sandpit available on site.
In Wilmington itself, you can visit the Puppet Museum or Fish Farm.
Being located within the Flinders Ranges, there are also some fantastic activities including hiking and mountain biking surrounding Stony Creek Bush Camp and Wilmington.
Hikes including Alligator Gorge, Devil’s Peak, Mt Remarkable, Dutchman’s Stern and Warren Gorge are all within an hour’s drive of Wilmington and are definitely worth undertaking.
Melrose is located 25 minutes to the south and is a premier mountain biking destination with trails right across the base of Mt Remarkable. For more information on mountain biking at Melrose, visit Over the Edge - Melrose.
Other activities include visiting and travelling on the Pitchie Ritchie Railway in Quorn or learning at the Wadlata Outback Centre in Port Augusta.
Being located within the Flinders Ranges, there are also some fantastic activities including hiking and mountain biking surrounding Stony Creek Bush Camp and Wilmington.
Hikes including Alligator Gorge, Devil’s Peak, Mt Remarkable, Dutchman’s Stern and Warren Gorge are all within an hour’s drive of Wilmington and are definitely worth undertaking.
Melrose is located 25 minutes to the south and is a premier mountain biking destination with trails right across the base of Mt Remarkable. For more information on mountain biking at Melrose, visit Over the Edge - Melrose.
Other activities include visiting and travelling on the Pitchie Ritchie Railway in Quorn or learning at the Wadlata Outback Centre in Port Augusta.
Further Information
The above review is by guest reviewer, Ben Trewren.
All words and pictures are reproduced with Ben's permission