Camping near Innamincka
Camp near the meeting point of the Northern Territory, QLD, NSW, and South Australia borders.
- Innamincka
Popular camping styles for Innamincka
Camping near Innamincka guide
Overview
With fewer than 100 residents, Innamincka sits firmly in Australian folklore through Burke and Wills’ ill-fated expedition crossing Australia from Melbourne, bound for the Gulf of Carpentaria. Burke’s gravesite is a few kilometres north of Innamincka at Burke’s Waterhole, while Wills’ grave is 20 kilometres south at Breerily Waterhole. Innamincka Hotel is the hub of the community, a short distance from Innamincka Town Common where shady campgrounds and camping areas are dotted along the banks of Cooper Creek. Birdsville, home of the famous Birdsville Races each September, lies to the north, while Cameron Corner is on the way to Adelaide.
Where to go
Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park
One of South Australia’s desert parks, Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park is a mammoth park with a network of interconnecting lakes, waterholes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. A Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, the park houses abundant birdlife to be viewed while canoeing, bushwalking, or camping in designated park campgrounds.
Waterholes
Bush camping at waterholes is the usual style of camping in these parts. Visit the 7-km-long Cullyamurra Waterhole, Australia’s largest billabong, where fishing and camping are popular. Or, head to the large Policeman's Waterhole Camp in a camper trailer and offroad caravan for swimming and canoeing alongside the riverside campsites. Ski Beach Campground lies on the banks of Cooper Creek with campsites suitable for camper trailers and tents.
Innamincka Regional Reserve
Innamincka Regional Reserve covers over 1.3 million hectares of the Australian outback with starkly contrasting landscapes. From the wilderness and wetlands of the Cooper Creek system to commercial cattle stations, the park’s interpretive centre highlights Aboriginal history as well as the Dig Tree and the region’s connection to exploration.
When to go
Outback Australia’s climate is generally hot and dry year-round, with the mildest temperatures between April and October. Storms and heavy rain may roll through during summer, with minor flooding sometimes causing significant hazards. Always keep an eye on weather forecasts and monitor national park announcements for closures due to flooding.
Know before you go
- The Dig Tree remains much as it was (besides a boardwalk to protect it) when Burke and Wills were there in 1861.
- Both a fuel service station and general store, Innamincka Trading Post is the place to go for essential supplies.
- Purchase a Desert Parks Pass through National Parks and Wildlife South Australia for access to multiple parks and camping areas in the state.
