Explore Australia

Historical walking trail The excellent trail brochure guides the visitor past stately buildings and homes, many with original cast-iron lacework. The Church Hill State Heritage Area provides a fascinating snapshot of town planning in the 1830s, and the 2.4 km walk around it includes a look at several churches, the old school, the courthouse, and cottages of the Victorian era. Also on the way are Gawler Mill, Eagle Foundry (now a popular B&B), the Anglican Church with its pipe organ (open Sun) and Para Para Mansion (1862), a grand mansion that features a domed ballroom and has had British royalty as its guests (closed to public).

Gawler Museum: located in the Old Telegraph Station, this National Trust museum displays the history of Gawler's pioneer past; closed Sat–Mon; Murray St. Historic main street walking tour: the town is filled with some of South Australia's oldest and most historic hotels, pubs and churches; brochure available from visitor centre. The Food Forest: award-winning permaculture farm producing 160 varieties of organically certified food; tours available; on the Gawler River. Fielke Cricket Bats: the only cricket bat maker in South Australia, visit the workshop and see how the English Willow bats are meticulously handcrafted; Crown St. Dead Man's Pass Reserve: so named because an early pioneer was found dead in the hollow of a tree. It has picnic facilities and a walking trail; southern end of Murray St. Community Art Gallery: local artwork on display; 23rd Street. Adelaide Soaring Club: glider flights over Gawler and region; Wells Rd; (08) 8522 1877.

Roseworthy Agricultural Museum: a dryland farming museum featuring vintage farm equipment, located at the Roseworthy campus of the University of Adelaide; open every Wed and 3rd Sun each month; (08) 8303 7739; 15 km N. Freeling: a rural town with a self-guide historical walk; 17 km NE. Two Wells: named for 2 Aboriginal wells found by original settlers, forgotten, then recovered in 1967. It has craft shops with local crafts; Main Rd; 24 km W. Stockport Astronomical Facility: run by the Astronomical Society of SA, featuring impressive observatory with public viewing nights; (08) 8338 1231; 30 km N.

Ardrossan 78 km

Located on the east side of the Yorke Peninsula, Ardrossan is bountiful water just 150 km west of Adelaide, so is a popular weekend fishing destination. Looking out on the long pier at Ardrossan, it’s striking how... Find out more

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Wallaroo 129 km

The small SA seaport of Wallaroo, north of Moonta, offers an excellent base for anglers wanting to catch big snapper, King George whiting, Australian salmon and yellowtail kingfish. Many of the reef systems are close to... Find out more

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Port Broughton 137 km

Port Broughton is a favourite destination for anglers wanting to fish from charter boats. The boat ramp in the sheltered harbour is next to a small pier complex and is popular for small fish including salmon, Tommy ruff,... Find out more

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Marion Bay 176 km

Situated at the bottom of the Yorke Peninsula, Marion Bay is angler central and offers access to spectacular offshore and beach fishing. Southern beaches from Marion Bay east to Troubridge, such as Butlers, provide top... Find out more

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West Coast 187 km

Head to Innes National Park, at the southern end of Yorke Peninsula, to find two noteworthy places for anglers. The first is Pandalowie Bay where boats can be launched and, north of this, Browns Beach. The latter is well... Find out more

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Point Lowly 198 km

The Point Lowly lighthouse marks the southern extremity of Fitzgerald Bay. Near the lighthouse is a small community of shacks. These lighthouse cottages are cared for by the Uniting Church, and are available for hire. It... Find out more

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Whyalla 204 km

Whyalla is snapper central for anglers. Every Easter the Australian Snapper Championships are based here and the top ten snapper weighed in are always over 10 kg. As you would expect with a destination where fishing is... Find out more

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Fitzgerald Bay 206 km

Snapper fishing has a language all of its own. In Queensland and NSW, anglers talk about small snapper as ‘squire’. In Victoria, small snapper are ‘pinkies’; in SA, they are known as... Find out more

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Wedge Island 219 km

Wedge Island is one of a number of small islands making up the Gambier Group, about 19 nautical miles west of the southern toe of the Yorke Peninsula. Viewed from the sea it is easy to see how the island got its name... Find out more

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Cycling in the Barossa 21 km

In the Barossa, you can hire bikes from the visitor centre in Tanunda and take the paved 7-kilometre cycle path to Nuriootpa. For a guided, multi-day supported bike tour, sampling the best of the region’s cuisine... Find out more

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Wine-tasting - Nuriootpa and Angaston 27 km

Elderton Wines near Nuriootpa is a carbonneutral winery. Its cellar door is partially solar-powered and the vineyard is using biodynamic methods of production. Yalumba in Angaston has three organic wines and an... Find out more

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Adelaide Zoo 37 km

With its catchphrase ‘We exist to save animals from extinction’, this is another of Australia’s excellent zoos. The sea-lion display and walkthrough rainforest aviary are particularly recommended.... Find out more

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Aboriginal gallery, Adelaide 38 km

The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum holds the largest collection of Aboriginal artefacts in the world. Some 3000 are on display at any one time.... Find out more

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Morialta Conservation Park 39 km

One of the most stunning parks in the region and located only 10 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, this has waterfalls and deep gorges, woodlands, koalas, echidnas and southern brown bandicoots. The pick of the walks is... Find out more

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Swimming with dolphins off Glenelg 47 km

Since 2002, the eco-accredited Temptation Sailing has offered a ‘swim with the dolphins sail’ on a 17-metre catamaran out of Glenelg, in which the bottlenose and common dolphins reputedly come to the vessel... Find out more

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Birdwatching around the Fleurieu Peninsula 100 km

Abutting the Coorong, and with wetlands, beaches and a wide variety of terrain, the Fleurieu Peninsula is a top spot for birdwatching. There is a hide off Barrage Road at Goolwa, and the Goolwa Effluent Ponds can have... Find out more

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Whale-watching on the Fleurieu Peninsula 103 km

Between May and October, southern right whales often cruise right next to the shore of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Popular viewing spots include Port Elliot, Goolwa, Middleton and Victor Harbor, but your best starting point... Find out more

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Swimming along the Fleurieu Peninsula 106 km

There are plenty of great swimming beaches along the peninsula. Victor Harbor has a plethora to choose from – including Kent Reserve and Dump Beach – but there is also Horseshoe Bay at Port Elliot, and the... Find out more

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Diving and snorkelling off the Fleurieu Peninsula 112 km

Some of the state’s best diving – particularly in-shore and around jetties – is on the Fleurieu Peninsula, with leafy sea dragons, shipwrecks, dolphins and myriad fish species. Second Valley is great... Find out more

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The Grange Golf Club (East Course) 39 km

Vern Morcom was working on the final changes to The Grange’s West course redesign when the club announced plans for a second course. Morcom was asked to design it, on 150 acres of adjoining land, and the East... Find out more

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The Grange Golf Club (West Course) 39 km

Melbourne’s sandbelt wasn’t the only region in which golf course construction was booming during the 1920s. Various sites in Adelaide’s western suburbs – Kooyonga in 1922, Glenelg in 1926... Find out more

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Royal Adelaide Golf Club 39 km

In the city of churches, Royal Adelaide is the golfing equivalent of the Vatican. Every visiting golfer should make a pilgrimage to this Dr Alister MacKenzie-designed layout, one of Australia’s top 10 courses,... Find out more

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Kooyonga Golf Club 41 km

Kooyonga is a thinking player’s golf course. One of the game’s greatest strategists, Peter Thomson, gave an insight into what is required to play well at Kooyonga after winning the 1972 Australian Open... Find out more

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Glenelg Golf Club 45 km

Glenelg is to Adelaide what Bondi is to Sydney – the city’s most popular beach suburb. The terminus for the City to Bay tram, a Glenelg icon, can be found where Jetty Rd meets the beach, where you will... Find out more

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Links Lady Bay Resort 103 km

‘A pleasurable golf course,’ Dr Alister MacKenzie once wrote, ‘is not necessarily one that appeals at first sight, but rather one that grows on a player like good music, good painting, or good... Find out more

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The Locavore 45 km

The Locavore (‘local eater’) at Stirling in the Adelaide Hills sticks to the ‘100-mile’ philosophy of sourcing food, which in its case includes the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale and the... Find out more

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The Organic Market and Cafe 45 km

This bustling cafe and organic produce outlet in Stirling was the national winner of the best organic retailer award. Something of an institution in the area, it has delicious antipasto platters and great coffee. About... Find out more

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Goodlife 47 km

This innovative restaurant and takeaway not only makes carbon-neutral pizzas, but also places an emphasis on sourcing produce that is organic and local. Takeaway pizzas here even come tied up with string.... Find out more

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Coopers Brewery 34 km

More than any other Australian brewery, Coopers has grown significant market share over the past two decades on the back of increased demand for alternative beer styles. It was established in 1862 by Yorkshireman Thomas... Find out more

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Brewboys 35 km

One of the country’s newest craft beermaking enterprises, Brewboys is a partnership between Stephen Nelsen and Simon Sellick, who also operate the contract brewing company Fresh Cellars. At present they utilise a... Find out more

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Adelaide Hills Craft Brewing 36 km

Located in the former Onkaparinga woollen mill complex at Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills, this brewery/bar is run by Alistair Turnbull and Phil Jones. The pair turned their backs on careers in banking to study brewing in... Find out more

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South Australian Brewing Company 38 km

Established in 1888, the South Australian Brewing Company became the state’s dominant beer-maker by steadily acquiring competitors like the Kent Town Brewery, West End Brewery and the Walkerville Co-operative... Find out more

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Knappstein Enterprise Brewery 87 km

History has turned full circle for the Clare Valley’s Enterprise Brewery, which ceased beer-making operations in 1916, but was revived for its original purpose in 2006. In between time, this gorgeous sandstone... Find out more

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The Steam Exchange Company 100 km

South Australia seems to have more than its fair share of craft breweries in significant historical locations, and The Steam Exchange Brewery is no exception. It’s housed in a heritage-listed former railway goods... Find out more

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The Old School House Campground 22 km

This historic building is in the north of the reserve sleeps 8 and has tent spaces close by. You’ll find it 9 km east of Williamstown, from Springton Rd. Book ahead as access is via a gate.... Find out more

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Rocky Paddock camping area 22 km

A large open campground set among rocky outcrops on the edge of the forest plantation, this site is 1 km from the information centre off Tower Rd. Carry in your own water.... Find out more

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Centennial Drive camping area 22 km

This long creekside campsite next to Centennial Dr and stands of large radiata pines is on the Heysen Trail. A short – but steep – climb from here leads to Mt Crawford. The sites are 12 km east of... Find out more

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Mount Crawford camping area (bush camping) 23 km

For self-sufficient walkers there are assorted bush camping options along the Heysen Trail, with walk-in access only. The information office can provide details.... Find out more

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Fromms Farm Campground 24 km

This former dairy is now a generous-sized shelter for group camping, with tent spaces close by. Located on Mount Rd, 2 km from the information centre, you enter via a gate so you need to book.... Find out more

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Chalks camping area 24 km

This expansive and popular grassed site is set among river gums on Chalks Rd, close to the corner of Warren and Forreston roads, 4 km from the information centre. There’s a short walk from the parking area over... Find out more

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Cromer Shed camping area 28 km

This recent addition to the forest’s list of campsites features a large shelter shed among eucalypt woodland on the south-eastern edge of the forest. It’s off Cricks Mill Rd, 7 km west of Mt Pleasant.... Find out more

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Brownhill Creek Recreation Caravan Park 44 km

At this surprising natural nook just a few minutes south from Adelaide, mighty river red gums flank the creek, part of a major valley catchment. There are picnic areas and trails exploring the valley and beyond. To get... Find out more

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Belair Park Caravan Park 45 km

Just off Upper Sturt Rd, close to the national park’s main entrance, this well-equipped caravan park has a playground and pool. Book ahead during peak holiday times, and bring a gas/fuel stove.... Find out more

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Port Parham camping area 49 km

Famed for its shallow waters and fine seafood, this small coastal settlement is a much-loved spot for family outings and boating. The camping is on a council reserve on the northern edge of town, with access 1 km north... Find out more

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Gawler Caravan Park 1 km

This is a good quality park close to the town centre and located on the banks of the Gawler River. It is a good base for exploring the nearby Barossa Valley and is easily accessible from the Sturt and Barrier highways.... Find out more

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Tanunda Caravan and Tourist Park 20 km

Enjoy the Barossa Valley experience from this popular park; it is a great base for exploring the fabulous wine-producing region. Located 1.5 km from the town centre, with easy access, it offers patrons a good range of... Find out more

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Barossa Valley SA Tourist Park 28 km

This good quality Barossa Valley caravan park has a large number of sites, a choice of accommodation and a range of facilities including tennis courts. It is within walking distance of the town centre and close to... Find out more

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Levi Park Caravan Park 34 km

Levi Park is just 6 km from the city and a very good base for exploring central Adelaide. It has shady caravan sites and pleasant grassy tent sites, all located in a magnificent historic garden. The River Torrens flows... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks - Adelaide Beachfront 37 km

With very good amenities and a wide range of facilities, this quality park is close to Port Adelaide, Football Park and the West Lakes shopping complex, as well as only 10 km from the city centre. It is one of... Find out more

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Brown Hill Creek Tourist Park 44 km

This picturesque owner-operated park is set in the Adelaide foothills, 7 km south-east of the city. Its 120-acre bushland setting offers lots of shade and facilities include a tennis court. A minimum-stay period applies... Find out more

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Marion Holiday Park 49 km

This tourist park in the southern suburbs is close to the enormous Marion shopping centre. It has very good amenities, shaded areas and good facilities including a recreation room and a tennis court. It makes a good base... Find out more

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Brighton Caravan Park and Holiday Village 53 km

Just 17 km from Adelaide city, this tourist park enjoys absolute beach frontage and has a nice, relaxed feel. It is a popular family park and bookings are essential during busy holiday periods. A 2-night minimum-length... Find out more

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McLaren Vale Lakeside Caravan Park 70 km

This is a spacious, quality park amid the vineyards of the McLaren Vale region. If you want to experience the great wines from the multitude of cellar-door outlets, you will find the park the best base on this part of... Find out more

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Moana Beach Tourist Park 71 km

Only a short distance from the Moana town centre and close to the beach, this park is also not far from Adelaide’s southern suburbs. Bookings are required at Christmas, January, Easter and long weekends. There is a... Find out more

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The Garden Pavilion

Gorgeous garden vistas are a feature of this romantic self-contained B&B. Set in a sprawling country garden, the property has a wonderful parkland ambience with stunning border plantings and impressive specimen... Find out more

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The Miner’s Cottage

Escape to a classic stone cottage with an astute blend of heritage character and nurturing comfort. There’s no fuss, just stylish essentials like a snug sitting room with open fire, your own neat kitchen space and... Find out more

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Clarion Hotel Soho 38 km

Completed at the end of 2008, this five-star boutique hotel was designed with many hidden environmental features, such as water-recycling systems, sustainable building materials and airflow and passive cooling to reduce... Find out more

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Ridgetop Retreats 121 km

Three funky, architecturally designed cabins sit in quiet seclusion in Deep Creek Conservation Park at the tip of the Fleurieu Peninsula. They have solar hot water, composting toilets, two bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling... Find out more

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Antechamber Bay Ecocabins 145 km

This low-key, out-of-the-way spot in the east of the island is next to a beautiful and isolated beach. There are two fairly basic self-contained and solar-powered cabins with room for up to eight people each, half a... Find out more

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Coorong Wilderness Lodge 154 km

Opened early in 2009, the five beautiful cabins here on a limestone cliff on Aboriginal lands have 180-degree views over the Coorong, with pelicans, ducks and other birds flying past at window height. The cabins have... Find out more

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Nautilus Lodge 182 km

This solar-powered, four-bedroom house is surrounded by Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park and is situated right on the beach. It can sleep up to 12 people.... Find out more

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Eleanor River Homestead 193 km

This beautiful two-bedroom log cabin in the middle of the island is solar-powered, has rainwater and a sewage worm farm.... Find out more

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Lighthouse cottages 234 km

Stay in eco-accredited lighthouse keeper’s cottages on wind-swept hills at opposite ends of the island: Cape Borda, Cape Willoughby and Cape du Couedic. There are also daily tours of the lightstations.... Find out more

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Moppa Road Rest Area 26 km

29 km NE of Gawler (L) or 3 km W of Nuriootpa (R) Small area just off the highway behind a few trees. GPS: S34 27.33 E138 58.26  ... Find out more

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Tarlee Park Area 36 km

Middle of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 16.471 E138 46.258... Find out more

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Dublin Park Area 40 km

On the service road Parking area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 27.119 E138 21.109 ... Find out more

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Truro East Rest Area 41 km

1 km E of Truro (L) or 45 km W of Blanchetown (R) Small area just off the highway among a few large trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 24.30 E139 08.07... Find out more

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Riverton South Rest Area 48 km

South side of town Large area among trees. Good shade. GPS: S34 10.287 E138 44.769... Find out more

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Winkler Park Area 56 km

2 km S of Saddleworth (L) or 7 km N of Riverton (R) Very small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 05.892 E138 46.465... Find out more

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Port Wakefield South Rest Area No.2 58 km

22 km N of Dublin (L) northbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 17.396 E138 14.543... Find out more

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Hanson Rest Area 62 km

13 km S of Burra (L) or 28 km N of Manoora (R) Large area among numerous large pine trees. Good shade. GPS: S33 45.158 E138 50.405  ... Find out more

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Port Wakefield South Rest Area No.1 62 km

12 km S of Port Wakefield (L) southbound only Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S34 15.327 E138 13.381... Find out more

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Annadale Rest Area 67 km

29 km E of Truro (L) or 17 km W of Blanchetown (R) Large area just off the highway among numerous trees. Limited shade. GPS: S34 23.22 E139 25.55... Find out more

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Jackmans Lookout Rest Area 79 km

0.5 km E of Swanport Bridge (L) or 19 km W of Tailem Bend (R) Large area well off the highway at the lookout. GPS: S35 08.40 E139 18.58  ... Find out more

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Monteith Rest Area 82 km

4 km E of Swanport Bridge (L) or 15 km NW of Tailem Bend (R) Large area around a few trees. GPS: S35 09.46 E139 20.37   ... Find out more

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Burra Creek Gorge Camp Area 90 km

T/O 16 km SE of Burra (R) or 69 km NW of Morgan (L) Large secluded campground located 11 kilometres south-east of the highway in a natural bush setting on the banks of the creek. Good facilities and shade. GPS:... Find out more

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Lake Lochiel Rest Area 94 km

82 km S of Warnertown (L) or 33 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.807 E138 09.791 ... Find out more

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Burra East Rest Area 99 km

21 km SE of Burra (L) or 64 km NW of Morgan (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 45.801 E139 07.059... Find out more

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Tailem Bend South Rest Area 100 km

6 km S of Tailem Bend (R) or 46 km N of Meningie (L) Small secluded area among the trees. Good shade. GPS: S35 18.15 E139 25.50... Find out more

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Snowtown North Rest Area 107 km

62 km S of Warnertown (L) or 53 km N of Port Wakefield (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 44.870 E138 12.577  ... Find out more

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Mount Bryan Rest Area 117 km

Middle of town Town park opposite the hotel. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 33.007 E138 53.532... Find out more

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Angus Rest Area 121 km

24 km E of Morgan (R) or 64 km W of Sturt Hwy (L) Small area just off the highway around a few trees. GPS: S34 03.24 E139 53.31... Find out more

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Rosies Rest Area 121 km

25 km E of Morgan (L) or 65 km W of Sturt Hwy (R) Small area just off the highway around a few trees. GPS: S34 03.409 E139 53.588... Find out more

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Spalding Park Area 123 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S33 29.990 E138 36.435... Find out more

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Sherlock Rest Area 125 km

Middle of town Small area adjacent to the highway opposite the store. Limited shade. GPS: S35 19.118 E139 48.076... Find out more

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Waikerie Lookout Park Area 125 km

2 km E of Waikerie (L) or 46 km W of Barmera (R) Small area just off the highway. Good views over the river. GPS: S34 11.14 E140 00.43... Find out more

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Holder Bend Camp Area 125 km

T/O 3 km E of Waikerie (L) or 45 W of Barmera (R) Large camping area on the banks of the river 2 kilometres north of the highway via Holder Top Road and Holder Bottom Road. GPS: S34 11.11 E140 00.43... Find out more

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Coomandook Park Area 129 km

Middle of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade.  GPS: S35 28.16 E139 41.49 ... Find out more

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Meningie Park Area 132 km

Middle of town Large parking area on the shores of the lake. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S35 41.10 E139 20.20  ... Find out more

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Peake Rest Area 139 km

Middle of town Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S35 21.913 E139 57.025... Find out more

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Georgetown Park Area 142 km

South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 21.634 E138 23.632... Find out more

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Ariverrun Rest Area 144 km

58 km E of Morgan (L) or 32 km W of Sturt Hwy (R) Large area around trees just off the highway. GPS: S34 09.026 E140 12.986... Find out more

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Coonalpyn North Rest Area 148 km

20 km SE of Coomandook (R) or 10 km NW of Coonalpyn (L) Large secluded area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S35 36.50 E139 48.42 ... Find out more

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