The best lakeside camping near Tailem Bend

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Set up your tent by the water’s edge in Tailem Bend, where over 20 lake-focused campsites put you right in the thick of riverland views and birdlife. You’ll spend your days spotting pelicans, swimming straight off the bank, and casting a line for a fresh catch. Prices start from $20 a night, with the average hovering around $25. Facilities like showers, a campfire spot, and pet-friendly rules make it easy to stay comfortable after a day outdoors. Check out Coorong Island Retreat (79 reviews) for island vibes and sunrise swims, Milang Farm Camp (23 reviews) for wide-open paddocks, or Kuitpo Winter Wetlands Sanctuary (7 reviews) if you like your lakes fringed with reeds and teeming with frogs. This is lake camping done right—no fuss, just the fresh air and open water.

92% (115)

Top-rated campgrounds

Coorong Island Retreat

1. Coorong Island Retreat

87%
(106)
55km from Tailem Bend · 6 sites · RVs, Lodging · Meningie, SA
Staying at the Coorong Island Retreat, you’re a guest of nature – slumbering, playing, and exploring the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong - the region embodies all of nature’s brilliance and boasts a breathtaking scenery, and remarkable Australian wildlife. Around the property there are options to venture out on a boat, bushwalking on nature trials, biking to Coorong, 4WD off-roading at Coorong National Park or tasting adventure at Langhorne Creek. It is ideal for boating – it’s a fishers and birdwatchers paradise. Coorong Island Retreat is suitable for self contained campers with their own toilet/shower facilities. Family groups, camp fires (Fire Danger Season Restrictions Apply) and well behaved pets are welcome. Please note, we have unfenced livestock (Sheep and Alpacas) at the property. around the camp sites. This property is often gets windy, there's a space between tree groves that is shielded from wind, however, it may only allow 2 or 3 tents/ swags. It's a rural property, expect a weeds within the pastures.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$49
 / night
Kuitpo Winter Wetlands Sanctuary

3. Kuitpo Winter Wetlands Sanctuary

100%
(12)
69km from Tailem Bend · 7 sites · RVs · Kuitpo, SA
Hello! We would love to share the Winter Wetlands Sanctuary in Kuitpo with you. The little sanctuary has been specifically designed to accommodate Campervans and Self-driven motorhomes WITH ON-BOARD TOILETTING & GREY WATER TANK. Please understand that our business model licence and insurance policy has stringent conditions attached to it. *WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO ACCEPT SELF-DRIVEN CAMPERVANS/MOTORHOMES THAT ARE 7.5m OR LESS IN LENGTH* They must be equipped with their own toilet facilities and grey water reservoir due to governmental zoning regulations. Do NOT book unless you have your own toileting amenities and grey water tank. No human waste policy applies. If you have to cancel your booking because you do not meet these requirements, you will NOT be refunded. It is out of our hands. Our Insurance policy disallows the following:- *NO CARAVANS, TRAILERS, OR TENTS.* *NO CHILDREN* *NO PETS* Now that THAT is all said: Forest Gate B&B has been receiving guests on the property for nearly 40 years and the Winter Wetlands is a small private sanctuary that we share with our guests who enjoy both privacy and open air. We run a small mixed farm in the Adelaide Hills, and over the past 10 years, have been developing this little safe haven in the Southern corner of our property. We are trying to encourage the proliferation of local wildlife that everyone can enjoy both now and in the future. The Winter Wetlands is NOT a 'caravan park'. It is a small, private, sanctuary, which is at it's best in the cold wet Winter months when the pond/ dam comes to life. Guests can kick back around the campfire overlooking the dam, as they listen to the crickets and frogs in the evenings. There is a resident Western Grey kangaroo, many possums (both ring-tail and brush-tail), native burrowing rats, koalas and an occasional wandering echidna (if you are lucky enough to see one). There's a plethora of birdlife, including favourites such as blue wrens, fairy wrens, and a resident family of white-winged choughs. The Sanctuary caters for a maximum of seven bookings (2 guests per booking) at any one time. Usually, you will have the Sanctuary all to yourselves. There are many little picnic spots. We request that guests leave no sign of visitation, and take all waste with them. CAMPERVAN SITES: As stated previously, regulations only allow the following: *SELF-DRIVEN CAMPERVANS OR MOTORHOMES THAT ARE 7.5m OR LESS IN LENGTH* *NO CARAVANS, TRAILERS, OR TENTS.* We have 7 independent, unpowered, sites that are suited for Class A or B campervans or motorhomes ONLY. ACCESS: There is easy, main road access into the 'Winter Wetlands Sanctuary' from Brookman road. GPS: -35.21694, 138.6970. There is a clearly marked, one-way, loose stone road that leads to all available sites. Look for the reflectors on the big gum trees on Brookman Rd, and the gate with the notice of Conditions of Entry denoting the way in. COMMUNAL AREAS: The communal shelter shed, picnic areas, and two communal camp fires offer a variety of places to relax and watch the local birds enjoy the area. NEARBY FEATURES include: - Directly across the road from the Heysen Trail in the beautiful Kuitpo Forest. - 3-4 minutes to exceptional SA wineries including K1 (4 mins down the road), and Perrini (in the nearby township of Meadows) . - Near Echunga Goldfields (Jupiter creek) (20 km away), and Prospect Hill (4 km away) for fossicking. - Kuipto Forest TreeClimb is only 2 km up the road and has thousands of visitors per annum. - Easy access to tourist townships of McLaren Vale (15 mins), Hahndorf (25 mins), Mt Barker (25 mins) and Willunga, which is well known for its Saturday Morning Market (15 mins). - Facilities such as Pharmacy, Medical clinic, Petrol Station, Hotel, and Bakery can be found in Meadows, only 5 mins away. The Winter Wetlands are fully fenced ensuring privacy. In the interest of the wellbeing of local wild life, nearby stock, and neighbours, we ask that you do not play loud music at night. WASTE: NO HUMAN WASTE. Guests staying in the Winter Wetlands must have self contained toilet facilities and grey water tank. There is a Waste Dump Point in Meadows (6 km away) near the footy oval (Brooks street rec. ground, GPS: -35.180278, 138.76). SIZE RESTRICTIONS: Due to the nature of the vegetation in the Winter Wetlands, and manoeuvrability of vehicles, size restrictions apply. Sites will suit campervans (7.5 m or less), but will NOT be suitable for caravans. Caravans, trailers and tents are NOT permitted. UNSUITABLE for CHILDREN and PETS: Forest Gate is a working farm. There are regularly livestock in the paddocks adjacent to the Winter Wetlands. There is also an open dam and a communal fireplace in the Winter Wetlands. Due to our insurance policy, we can not allow children or pets. Therefore, stays in the Winter Wetlands are only available to adults.
Campfires
Cooking equipment
from 
AU$31
 / night

Set up your tent by the water’s edge in Tailem Bend, where over 20 lake-focused campsites put you right in the thick of riverland views and birdlife. You’ll spend your days spotting pelicans, swimming straight off the bank, and casting a line for a fresh catch. Prices start from $20 a night, with the average hovering around $25. Facilities like showers, a campfire spot, and pet-friendly rules make it easy to stay comfortable after a day outdoors. Check out Coorong Island Retreat (79 reviews) for island vibes and sunrise swims, Milang Farm Camp (23 reviews) for wide-open paddocks, or Kuitpo Winter Wetlands Sanctuary (7 reviews) if you like your lakes fringed with reeds and teeming with frogs. This is lake camping done right—no fuss, just the fresh air and open water.

92% (115)

Top-rated campgrounds

Coorong Island Retreat

1. Coorong Island Retreat

87%
(106)
55km from Tailem Bend · 6 sites · RVs, Lodging · Meningie, SA
Staying at the Coorong Island Retreat, you’re a guest of nature – slumbering, playing, and exploring the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong - the region embodies all of nature’s brilliance and boasts a breathtaking scenery, and remarkable Australian wildlife. Around the property there are options to venture out on a boat, bushwalking on nature trials, biking to Coorong, 4WD off-roading at Coorong National Park or tasting adventure at Langhorne Creek. It is ideal for boating – it’s a fishers and birdwatchers paradise. Coorong Island Retreat is suitable for self contained campers with their own toilet/shower facilities. Family groups, camp fires (Fire Danger Season Restrictions Apply) and well behaved pets are welcome. Please note, we have unfenced livestock (Sheep and Alpacas) at the property. around the camp sites. This property is often gets windy, there's a space between tree groves that is shielded from wind, however, it may only allow 2 or 3 tents/ swags. It's a rural property, expect a weeds within the pastures.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$49
 / night
Kuitpo Winter Wetlands Sanctuary

3. Kuitpo Winter Wetlands Sanctuary

100%
(12)
69km from Tailem Bend · 7 sites · RVs · Kuitpo, SA
Hello! We would love to share the Winter Wetlands Sanctuary in Kuitpo with you. The little sanctuary has been specifically designed to accommodate Campervans and Self-driven motorhomes WITH ON-BOARD TOILETTING & GREY WATER TANK. Please understand that our business model licence and insurance policy has stringent conditions attached to it. *WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO ACCEPT SELF-DRIVEN CAMPERVANS/MOTORHOMES THAT ARE 7.5m OR LESS IN LENGTH* They must be equipped with their own toilet facilities and grey water reservoir due to governmental zoning regulations. Do NOT book unless you have your own toileting amenities and grey water tank. No human waste policy applies. If you have to cancel your booking because you do not meet these requirements, you will NOT be refunded. It is out of our hands. Our Insurance policy disallows the following:- *NO CARAVANS, TRAILERS, OR TENTS.* *NO CHILDREN* *NO PETS* Now that THAT is all said: Forest Gate B&B has been receiving guests on the property for nearly 40 years and the Winter Wetlands is a small private sanctuary that we share with our guests who enjoy both privacy and open air. We run a small mixed farm in the Adelaide Hills, and over the past 10 years, have been developing this little safe haven in the Southern corner of our property. We are trying to encourage the proliferation of local wildlife that everyone can enjoy both now and in the future. The Winter Wetlands is NOT a 'caravan park'. It is a small, private, sanctuary, which is at it's best in the cold wet Winter months when the pond/ dam comes to life. Guests can kick back around the campfire overlooking the dam, as they listen to the crickets and frogs in the evenings. There is a resident Western Grey kangaroo, many possums (both ring-tail and brush-tail), native burrowing rats, koalas and an occasional wandering echidna (if you are lucky enough to see one). There's a plethora of birdlife, including favourites such as blue wrens, fairy wrens, and a resident family of white-winged choughs. The Sanctuary caters for a maximum of seven bookings (2 guests per booking) at any one time. Usually, you will have the Sanctuary all to yourselves. There are many little picnic spots. We request that guests leave no sign of visitation, and take all waste with them. CAMPERVAN SITES: As stated previously, regulations only allow the following: *SELF-DRIVEN CAMPERVANS OR MOTORHOMES THAT ARE 7.5m OR LESS IN LENGTH* *NO CARAVANS, TRAILERS, OR TENTS.* We have 7 independent, unpowered, sites that are suited for Class A or B campervans or motorhomes ONLY. ACCESS: There is easy, main road access into the 'Winter Wetlands Sanctuary' from Brookman road. GPS: -35.21694, 138.6970. There is a clearly marked, one-way, loose stone road that leads to all available sites. Look for the reflectors on the big gum trees on Brookman Rd, and the gate with the notice of Conditions of Entry denoting the way in. COMMUNAL AREAS: The communal shelter shed, picnic areas, and two communal camp fires offer a variety of places to relax and watch the local birds enjoy the area. NEARBY FEATURES include: - Directly across the road from the Heysen Trail in the beautiful Kuitpo Forest. - 3-4 minutes to exceptional SA wineries including K1 (4 mins down the road), and Perrini (in the nearby township of Meadows) . - Near Echunga Goldfields (Jupiter creek) (20 km away), and Prospect Hill (4 km away) for fossicking. - Kuipto Forest TreeClimb is only 2 km up the road and has thousands of visitors per annum. - Easy access to tourist townships of McLaren Vale (15 mins), Hahndorf (25 mins), Mt Barker (25 mins) and Willunga, which is well known for its Saturday Morning Market (15 mins). - Facilities such as Pharmacy, Medical clinic, Petrol Station, Hotel, and Bakery can be found in Meadows, only 5 mins away. The Winter Wetlands are fully fenced ensuring privacy. In the interest of the wellbeing of local wild life, nearby stock, and neighbours, we ask that you do not play loud music at night. WASTE: NO HUMAN WASTE. Guests staying in the Winter Wetlands must have self contained toilet facilities and grey water tank. There is a Waste Dump Point in Meadows (6 km away) near the footy oval (Brooks street rec. ground, GPS: -35.180278, 138.76). SIZE RESTRICTIONS: Due to the nature of the vegetation in the Winter Wetlands, and manoeuvrability of vehicles, size restrictions apply. Sites will suit campervans (7.5 m or less), but will NOT be suitable for caravans. Caravans, trailers and tents are NOT permitted. UNSUITABLE for CHILDREN and PETS: Forest Gate is a working farm. There are regularly livestock in the paddocks adjacent to the Winter Wetlands. There is also an open dam and a communal fireplace in the Winter Wetlands. Due to our insurance policy, we can not allow children or pets. Therefore, stays in the Winter Wetlands are only available to adults.
Campfires
Cooking equipment
from 
AU$31
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field