Caravan and camping not your thing? There’s no need to scrimp on luxury when it comes to setting up camp in South Australia. Forget pitching your own tent or roughing it in a swag. Digging your own loo? No way. From the lush Adelaide Hills to the breathtaking Outback, luxurious glamping locations are dotted throughout South Australia. Check out our list of the best glamping spots to get back in touch with nature, with all the creature comforts.
RIDGETOP SLEEPOUT, ARKAROOLA
Dare to venture deeper into South Australia and be rewarded with a landscape unlike any other on Earth – Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary. Imagine waking up to panoramic alpine peaks, but dusted with ochre red dirt instead of snow. From your ridgetop vantage point, watch as the sun slowly rises – reflecting off the surrounding ranges and making them glow as intensely as firelight. This is what a night camping on a ridgetop, in the isolated desert mountain ranges of South Australia looks like. Start your glamping experience by meeting your expert guide at the village base, before climbing aboard their open air Landcruiser for one of the most scenic rollercoaster rides in the world – AKA the four-wheel drive track that takes you to your campsite. Weaving through creek beds, between valleys and over mountain crests – you will arrive at a clean and comfortable campsite nestled within the heart of a sprawling valley. Forget cans of tinned tuna and BBQ sausages – this camp cook-up is as gourmet as it comes, with dinner served up at a grand polished wooden dining table. After dinner, settle in for the real show – the most spectacular light show on Earth. Arkaroola is an official International Dark Sky Sanctuary – making it one of the best places to see quality starry nights in the Southern Hemisphere!
Bukirk Glamping, Clare Valley
Camping meets comfort and country charm in the heart of Clare Valley at Bukirk Glamping. A quick five-minute drive from the Clare township, you’ll discover five spacious bell tents set against picturesque farmland and vineyards. With queen and king bed options, cosy spots to lounge around, heating, private ensuites and a deck to sit back and enjoy the sunset with a glass of bubbles, this is camping in style. If you’d rather four walls over a tent, Bukirk is also home to two brand-new, rustic tiny homes. Hang out in the epic outdoor entertaining area, cook breakfast with eggs fresh from the chooks or get up early and watch sunrise over the valley. Did we mention there’s also a resident pig, Kevi?
Wilpena Pound Resort, Flinders Ranges
Sleep nestled in an ancient wilderness under a blanket of stars at one of the Outback’s most iconic camping spots. Rugged mountain ranges, dramatic gorges and abundant wildlife are the backdrop to the 95,000-hectare Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, just unzip your front door of the Ikara Safari Tent and start exploring. Situated in a secluded corner of Wilpena Pound Resort, you’ll find family friendly and couples tent options complete with king beds, ensuites, air conditioning and wooden decks to kick back and soak in epic views of the surrounding jaw-dropping natural amphitheatre.
Bellwether Wines, Limestone Coast
Cuddle up next to a roaring campfire with a glass of Coonawarra red before retreating to your own private glamping tent. Surrounded by 400-year-old gum trees and located in the heart of the Coonawarra wine region, Bellwether is the perfect couple-friendly base for a romantic escape to the Limestone coast. Wake up to the sound of birds and cook up breakfast with local supplies from the farm before popping over to the adjoining cellar door to grab a bottle or two of wine. Roam further afield and discover the impressive cellar door offering around the region.
Flinders Bush Retreats, Flinders Ranges
A luxury glamping experience isn’t what you’d expect to find on a sixth-generation Outback station. Hidden away in an almost untouched corner of the Flinders Ranges, couples and families can experience the unique Outback way of life in style at Flinders Bush Retreats in their Eco Tent offering a boutique farm stay experience in Hawker with self-contained houses, glamping and camping options, cosying up in the eco tent is the perfect retreat for nature lovers who aren’t ready to rough it. Complete with a queen-sized bed, luxurious linen, small kitchenette and ensuite, everything is taken care of.
Tanunda Discovery Parks, Barossa
Glamping in South Australia’s wine mecca, the Barossa – sounds like a recipe for a spectacular weekend getaway! Just minutes from the centre of Tanunda, a deluxe safari tent at Discovery Parks Barossa Valley is the perfect place to kick back after a day touring the region’s best wineries. The two-person luxe tents are set in a private area of the park with exclusive access to an outdoor lounge, BBQ space, firepit, heated swimming pool and spa. Tucked among gum trees with vineyard views, the eco-luxe tent features hotel-standard ensuite bathrooms and a private deck for the ultimate luxury escape.
Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris, Eyre Peninsula
Experience the beautiful and rugged Gawler Ranges with all the comforts of a hotel room from Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris’ glamping tents. Set in an open Mallee woodland about two hours from Port Lincoln, only emus and kangaroos will be your noisy neighbours at this quintessential Outback campsite. For a unique experience, book the rustic and character-packed Kangaluna Swagon: a renovated, covered wagon complete with swag bed and see-through roof, perfect for star gazing. If you want some help exploring the Eyre Peninsula, Gawler Ranges Wilderness Safaris also offer a range of tours.
Heli-Camping Experience
Imagine being flown to your own secluded campsite perched above the Flinders Ranges. Discover the beauty of the outback from the air with an epic overnight Heli-camping experience with Rawnsley Park Station. Jump on your own private helicopter and enjoy views over Rawnsley Bluff and Wilpena Pound before landing at your epic camp spot on the Chace Range. Watch the setting sun and marvel at the milky way in the clear winter sky before tucking in to a two-course meal and falling asleep under a blanket of stars.
Wandering Souls, Kangaroo Island
Wake up at a winery, overlooking the ocean or surrounded by wildlife on the ultimate island glamping escape. With eight locations on Kangaroo Island, from Bay of Shoals Winery to American River and Stokes Bay, and five tent styles to choose from, all you need to do is decide where you want to wake up and leave the rest to the team at Wandering Souls. One of the most unique accommodation options on Kangaroo Island, they’ll set up your luxury bell tent, complete with queen-size bed, and pack it all down when you’re finished so you can focus on being fully immersed in the rugged, pristine beauty of Kangaroo Island.
Bayside Glamping, yorke peninsula
Fall asleep tucked up on the Yorke Peninsula coastline as the sound of crashing waves gently lulls you into a serene seaside slumber. Just minutes from the breathtaking, rugged beauty of Innes National Park, Bayside Glamping is the perfect couples retreat to relax and reconnect in nature. Your luxury bell tent awaits in a secluded corner just off the beach at Marion Bay, kitted out with a pillow-top queen bed, bottle of bubbles, breakfast provisions and fairy lights. A private kitchen, barbecue facilities and indoor bathroom will ensure you can kick-back in complete comfort. Escape for a long weekend and start planning with our three-day Yorke Peninsula itinerary.
Cosy up in South Australia
There is no shortage of incredible hideaways to escape to in South Australia. From cosying up in a tiny house in the lush Adelaide Hills to sipping world-class wines at some of SA’s best wineries, there’s plenty to discover in we’ve got your future trips planned. To cosy up in South Australia, here are the top 10 romantic retreats perfect for a weekend getaway.
