The best campgrounds near Marion Bay, South Australia with surfing

You’ll find over 20 campsites in Marion Bay tailored for surfing, with ocean breezes and easy access to the breaks. Most spots sit near the water, making it simple to check the waves before you even boil the kettle. Average nightly rates hover around $24, with options as low as $22 if you’re happy to keep things simple. The essentials are covered: toilets, pet-friendly options, and campfires allowed at many sites. Hike the coastal tracks or watch for wildlife between surf sessions—kangaroos and native birds aren’t shy around here. For a proven local favourite, Marion Bay Bush Camping (84 reviews) offers a relaxed bush setting. Reefs Ocean Retreat (34 reviews) puts you close to the shoreline, while Ballara Art & Lifestyle Retreat (9 reviews) mixes creative flair with coastal camping. Pack your board, check the forecast, and settle in—Marion Bay’s surf campsites are ready for you.

96% (136)

Top-rated campgrounds

You’ll find over 20 campsites in Marion Bay tailored for surfing, with ocean breezes and easy access to the breaks. Most spots sit near the water, making it simple to check the waves before you even boil the kettle. Average nightly rates hover around $24, with options as low as $22 if you’re happy to keep things simple. The essentials are covered: toilets, pet-friendly options, and campfires allowed at many sites. Hike the coastal tracks or watch for wildlife between surf sessions—kangaroos and native birds aren’t shy around here. For a proven local favourite, Marion Bay Bush Camping (84 reviews) offers a relaxed bush setting. Reefs Ocean Retreat (34 reviews) puts you close to the shoreline, while Ballara Art & Lifestyle Retreat (9 reviews) mixes creative flair with coastal camping. Pack your board, check the forecast, and settle in—Marion Bay’s surf campsites are ready for you.

96% (136)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Marion Bay Bush Camping

95%

(139)

0.6km from Marion Bay · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Marion Bay, SA

200 Acre property previously used for grain and livestock. Wildlife includes kangaroos, emus, wide variety of bird and geese, many of which you can see on our facebook page. All the campsites have been developed from naturally occurring breaks in the scrub making the environment of campers naturally appealing and less damaging. You can enjoy the convenience of being one minute away from the town centre, general store and tavern. By camping here, you can expect a premium level of privacy separation between sites with your experience coming before profit maximising in our eyes. We have sites to fit all sizes with our largest and most separated being site 7. Overall we aim to offer the most authentic camping experience for all. Firewood collection is prohibited. Land owner may do camp site inspection at anytime. Land owner has the rights to evict if you are not following our rules. On requesting a site you will be asked to read the conditions and provide some details including vehicle registration and full names. This is seperate to Hipcamp and requested by the property owners on each booking.

2. Reefs Ocean Retreat

89%

(44)

1.6km from Marion Bay · 23 sites · RVs · Marion Bay, SA

Our property of 16 acres of natural scrub offers walking access to the beach along a 100-metre sandy path. YOU MUST BE SELF CONTAINED TO STAY 😉 Located only 1 km from the township of Marion Bay, it is an easy stroll via the beach or road to the local jetty, Tavern, shop, playground, and community centre. The amazing Dhilba-Guuranda National Park is only 6 km away, providing many choices of great beaches - well known for surfing, fishing, swimming, and hiking trails. Pets are welcome ... but we do ask that they be kept on a lead and not left unsupervised whilst on the property. Clean up after your dogs, so no-one has to step in their poop!! The walk-on beach is dog friendly. Self contained campers only please. Bring everything you need and take it all with you on departure.

3. Ballara Art & Lifestyle Retreat

100%

(10)

47km from Marion Bay · 2 sites · RVs · Warooka, SA

A brief history of Ballara...Ballara is the 100-year-old family home built for William and Emilia (Millie) Baker & their five children. Built in 1910, it is understood Millie would not come to Warooka until the house was finished and furnished! Wise woman!William Baker came to Warooka as a young boy in 1884 with his mother, sister and 2 brothers, after the sudden death of his father.In the early 1900s, Will and his brother Alf became storekeepers, trading as Baker Bros. and running 2 stores in Warooka. Will, Alf and younger brother, Tom, also went on to become farmers.William met Millie when she came from Ballarat to visit her sister who lived at Warooka. Millie named her new home 'Ballara' in memory of her home town.A feature of the house is its ornate ceilings, and story has it that visitors came from afar especially to view them.William ran a wheat agency from an office on the front verandah and was also a contact for World War 1 recruitment.In 1927, William sadly died at only 50 years of age, leaving Millie on her own with their 5 children Doreen, Dulcie, William jr. (Bill), Ron, and Betsy.Millie died in 1965 and Ron continued living at Ballara until his death in 1988.Having never married and with no children of his own, Ron left the house and contents to his 10 nieces and nephews.After the family furniture was divided, Bill bought the house and placed it in the names of his three daughters.Carli and Penny were both able to enjoy some time living in the family home. Ballara still remains in the Baker family and is currently being cared for by Bill’s youngest daughter, Steph.

4. The Pelican's Nest

37km from Marion Bay · 1 site · Tent, RV · Corny Point, SA

Private flat spacious beachfront driveway suitable for caravan, camper trailer or RV and Large Campsite with Stunning Ocean Veiws and big fig tree on Corny Beach track with boat parking and boat launch fits two big tents or two caravans. Beach is wonderful for families, shallow calm water swimming and fantastic blue line fishing all year round. Close to surf beach and lighthouse. Walk to shops with best chips in Yorke Peninsula possibly the world !

Stories from the community

M

Michael

November 2025

Tent

1 night at Marion Bay Bush Camping

Nice and quiet when we were there in Nov. it was all very easy

L

Luke

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Marion Bay Bush Camping

Nice quiet bush camp nestled in amongst some lovely natural bushland easy access into the property site was clean and tidy met my expectations

M

Mike

October 2025

9 m travel trailer

4 nights at Marion Bay Bush Camping

Our camp was very natural and quiet. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

W

Wendy

October 2025

7 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Reefs Ocean Retreat

Was a great stay. Close to town and a nice walk to the beach. Nice open area which you can select where you want to set up camp. Nice set up.

K

Kate

September 2025

5 m pop-up camper

4 nights at Marion Bay Bush Camping

Site 7 is very private and separate from the other sites. Excellent level surface for tents, trailers etc. Light gravel surface was perfect- we had some rain and it drained away rapidly with no mud!

D

Daniele

September 2025

6 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Marion Bay Bush Camping

Great location. Private site with enough room for our group of 3 caravans. Will be back.

J

Jack

April 2025

5 m car

Weekend Trip to Reefs Ocean Retreat

We were breifly greeted by Beth and Andrew as we were setting up camp and they were incredibly nice and welcoming - offering good advice on where to visit nearby and that we could sing out if we needed anything. Fairly open plan camping with ample space between sites and a quick walk down to the beach for us and the dogs to explore. Gets pretty windy so pack accordingly and you'll be laughing.

K

Kelly

April 2025

1 m Class B

1 night at Marion Bay Bush Camping

Really large site, very private and quiet and away from the wind. Site was littered with rubbish though, which i picked up as much as I could of so not sure if sites get regularly checked. Would stay again though, good location

C

Chantele

April 2025

6 m travel trailer

With kids

4 nights at Reefs Ocean Retreat

It was a peaceful location not too far out of town. We enjoyed our stay with no issues.

D

Dani

April 2025

5 m car

Weekend Trip to Reefs Ocean Retreat

Great central location in Marion Bay. Was expecting the sections to be more clearly laid out, but we found a spot and had no issues

M

Maia

April 2025

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Marion Bay Bush Camping

The campsites were well kept… Close to the pub and jetty Awesome coverage of thatch trees for protection… Highly recommend for anyone who wants to be close to amenities

Z

Zoe

April 2025

4 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Marion Bay Bush Camping

We loved staying here off grid in our caravan! It was so peaceful and kept so clean. The instructions were clear and it was easy to find. We will definitely stay here again!

Darb

April 2025

8 m travel trailer

Group trip

3 nights at Marion Bay Bush Camping

This site was large and had a light gravel on it so no dirt was walked into our van .It is short walk to the toilet . And 2 min drive to Marion bay Jetty

L

Lachlan

April 2025

6 m travel trailer

2 nights at Ballara Art & Lifestyle Retreat

Stayed in our van in front yard. An absolutely great place to stay. Views stunning. The host Steph was extremely welcoming and gave us a tour of the house and its history.

C

Christopher

March 2025

8 m travel trailer

2 nights at Reefs Ocean Retreat

Had 2 night in a van was quite and owners were polite and left us to do what ever we wanted

D

Drew

March 2025

5 m car

1 night at Marion Bay Bush Camping

Great little spot. Matthew was quick to respond and easy to deal with. Camp site was clean and plenty of room. I would definitely stay here again

Lisa

March 2025

7 m travel trailer

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Marion Bay Bush Camping

Loved the size of the site (number 7), the privacy, the shelter from the trees and the location. Site 7 was enormous - fit two caravans (with awnings out), two 4wd, four humans and four dogs with plenty of room to spare. Located away from the other sites so had the most privacy.

M

Maddy

March 2025

5 m car

2 nights at Ballara Art & Lifestyle Retreat

Gorgeous spot to spend a few nights! The place is so relaxing and private and great to get to a lot of the Yorke! A must stay!

Fauve

February 2025

4 m pop-up camper

2 nights at Marion Bay Bush Camping

The location and site size was good but that was all the positives unfortunately.

Rebecca

February 2025

Tent

3 nights at Marion Bay Bush Camping

This was a nice little spot. Although the site was basic, each space was private and felt remote, even when there were other campers on site. Super close to the beach and Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park. Would definitely camp here again if in the area.