Imagine a place where the vast expanse of the Australian Outback stretches out before you, and you can spend the night under a blanket of stars that seem to go on forever. That’s exactly what you can expect from Coober Pedy, and the best part is you can experience it without breaking the bank, thanks to some awesome free camping spots.
But where are they hidden away? That’s what you’ll discover here. Below, we’ve listed the best free camping spots in Coober Pedy, along with a list of the amenities you’ll find at each, taking all of the stress out of finding a place to spend the night and making it easier than ever to immerse yourself in the untouched wilderness, far from the noise and distractions of everyday life.
Are you ready to start exploring? Let’s go!
Free Coober Pedy Camping Spots
- Lake Cadibarrawirracanna
- Lake Cooreeappa Roadside Stop
- Ingomar North Rest Area
- Evelyn Downs Rest Area
- Anita Bush Site
- Pootnura Rest Area
- The Twins Rest Area
- Matheson Bore Rest Area
A quick note before we begin – most of these free camping spots are only suitable for campervans, and many are located just off the highway. As such, the best way of accessing them is by hiring a campervan.
Talk to the expert team at Travellers Autobarn today, and we’ll match you with the perfect campervan for your needs, whether you’re travelling solo or taking your family on the road trip of a lifetime.
Lake Cadibarrawirracanna
William Creek, Coober Pedy
Suitable for caravans and camper trailers, Lake Cadibarrawirracanna (also known by its shorter name of Lake Cadibarrawirra) beckons the adventurous camper to immerse themselves in the beauty of the area by parking up along the shores.
The lakeside location offers an excellent opportunity for swimming and provides you with access to non-drinking water, while the surrounding walking tracks are a great way of exploring the salt flats and spotting native wildlife. This area is also well-known for its wildflowers, so it’s ideal if you want to admire the local flora.
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Picnic Tables
Lake Cooreeappa Roadside Stop
William Creek, Coober Pedy
Accessible to campervans, RVs, camper trailers, and big rigs. Lake Cooreeappa Roadside Stop is a dog friendly free camping spot close to Coober Pedy that offers a serene escape and convenient respite as you make your way along William Creek Road. However, you are allowed to use the provided fire pits, provided you bring your own firewood with you.
While the amenities here are minimal, it’s the simplicity of this camping spot that adds to its charm, allowing you to really disconnect and enjoy the surrounding walking tracks and wide open spaces. There are no designated spaces for camping here either, which means you have the opportunity to set up camp along the lake’s edge and bask in the tranquillity of the area as you watch the sunset.
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Fire Pits
Ingomar North Rest Area
Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy
Another excellent choice for caravans, camper trailers, RVs, and big rigs, Ingomar North Rest Area is easily accessible via a smooth track that leads you away from the noise of Stuart Highway into a quiet area. You’re also allowed to pitch a tent and camp here, so it’s a good choice if you fancy changing things up throughout your road trip.
Keep in mind, however, that as a rest area, the amenities are limited to just picnic tables and rubbish bins. There are some nice walking trails to explore in the surrounding area, as well as open spaces to relax in, and since it’s dog friendly, you’re able to discover everything with your canine companion! You’ll also find good mobile reception here, so it’s ideal if you need to check in with anyone during your holiday.
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Picnic Tables
- Rubbish Bins
Evelyn Downs Rest Area
Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy
Evelyn Downs Rest Area along the Stuart Highway offers an extremely basic but free place to spend the night for free. It’s also really easy to access thanks to the asphalt road surface and gravelled parking area, and is suitable for campervans, camper trailers, RVs, and 4WDs.
When we say this place is basic, we mean it. There are almost no amenities here aside from an undercover picnic table and a few rubbish bins. There isn’t very much to do in the surrounding area either, aside from some short walks, but if you’re looking for a place to pull up for the night as you make your way along the road, it’s a very good option.
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Dog Friendly
- Undercover Picnic Table
- Rubbish Bins
Anita Bush Site
Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy
Another free camping area along Stuart Highway and about an hour’s drive from Coober Pedy, Anita Bush Site is a dog friendly campground that is suitable for caravans and camper trailers. Tent camping is also allowed at Anita Bush Site, but since the amenities are limited to fire pits.
There are lots of shaded spaces here, which is perfect for the blazing-hot Australian summer, and the surrounding nature gives you the opportunity to explore some fantastic walking trails, enjoy birdwatching, or simply unwind as you immerse yourself in nature’s embrace!
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Fire Pits
Pootnura Rest Area
Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy
Slightly closer to Coober Pedy, Pootnura Rest Area offers another basic place for campervans, camper trailers, and big rigs to spend the night as you head along Stuart Highway. There are some amenities here, including non-drinking water, rubbish bins, and sheltered picnic tables, but no toilets or showers.
Even though the amenities here are limited, you’re offered expansive views and tranquil surroundings set away from the noise of the highway, making it a relaxing place to spend the night under the stars. It’s dog friendly, too, and there are some great wild walking tracks in the surrounding area to explore, as well as plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife, flora, and fauna.
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Non-Drinking Water
- Rubbish Bins
- Sheltered Picnic Tables
The Twins Rest Area
Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy
Also located along Stuart Highway, The Twins Rest Area is surrounded by the vast expanse of the Outback landscape and is suitable for campervans and camper trailers to pull up and spend the night in nature, while still providing convenient access for getting back on the road the following day.
This site is dog friendly and the allure of the Outback will beckon you to explore some of the walking trails and open spaces. This is also an excellent place to spot wildlife and kick back as the sun sets into a wide, star-filled sky.
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Dog Friendly
- Walking Trails
Matheson Bore Rest Area
Stuart Highway, Coober Pedy
Like most of the free camping spots near Coober Pedy, Matheson Bore Rest Area is also located along Stuart Highway and provides easy access for campervans, camper trailers, RVS, and big rigs via a 300-metre long gravel track. Amenities here are limited to fire pits, but it’s still a great place to stop over on your way to your next stop.
The surroundings here are natural and rugged, and while there isn’t much to do in terms of activities, this dog friendly site does have walking tracks and open spaces to explore. This is also a great place to unplug from everything and reconnect with nature as mobile phone reception is sparse, giving you the opportunity to fully unwind.
FEATURED AMENITIES
- Fire Pits
Explore other popular free camping spots in South Australia
Check out some of our other popular free camping spots in South Australia below:
- Check out Free Camping in Adelaide
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the best places for free camping in Australia.
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FAQs about free camping in Coober Pedy
Yes! Free camping is allowed in Coober Pedy; however, only in designated areas like rest stops, campgrounds, and national park campsites. Make sure to check out our list of the best free camping spots in Coober Pedy, like Anita Bush Site and Lake Cadibarrawirracanna, to name a few.
Unfortunately not. Parking a campervan on the street to sleep over in Coober Pedy isn’t permitted. So, you would need to find a designated free camping area.
Free campsites near Coober Pedy generally limit your stay to 24 to 72 hours. However, the rules and signage vary from site to site, so checking them before setting up camp is essential.
As you can see from the options we’ve listed in our guide, most free campsites in Coober Pedy have toilets, fire pits, tables, and BBQ areas. Some also provide running water and ablution facilities, but we recommend taking your own drinking water and checking out your destination’s website to ensure you know what to bring.
While there are general rules and free camping etiquette to follow, rules may differ depending on the campsite. So, we recommend reviewing specific rules for each campsite beforehand to make sure you’re always in the right when free camping.
Yes, but not everywhere, and you need to consider the time of year due to fire bans. Free camping sites like Anita Bush Site, Matheson Bore Rest Area and Lake Cooreeappa Roadside Stop have fire pits or BBQ areas where you can light a fire from May to October, when no fire ban is in effect.
Many free camping sites are built to accommodate families. Some of the campsites are fairly basic, with limited facilities, and therefore might not be the best option for families, so we recommend comparing the different facilities beforehand to find sites that suit your family’s needs. But places like Pootnura Rest in Coober Pedy have an undercover picnic area, walking trails, and BBQ facilities, which make family time all the easier.
Some free campsites offer drinking water, but this isn’t universal, so it’s always better to be prepared and take sufficient drinkable water with you.
Most free camping areas work on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who arrive first get the choice of the sites. Some parks may require you to have a permit to enter.
Some essentials you should bring to a free camping ground in Coober Pedy include rubbish bags, extra drinking water, a torch, toilet paper, insect repellent, backup power, and a gas cooker.
In Coober Pedy, autumn and spring are the ideal times to go free camping, with mild temperatures and fewer fire bans. Winter is cool and dry, and it is excellent for permitted fires. Summer brings high heat, fire restrictions, and occasional storms.
DISCLAIMER: Any prices displayed are correct at the time of publishing. We highly recommend contacting any campsite or caravan park prior to booking to confirm prices.
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Bastian Graf
Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.
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