Gravel Bay camping area, situated on the western side of the foot of Yorke Peninsula, offers some amazing secluded camping spots.
We were exploring the coastline around Berry Bay, a super popular beach for surfing and fishing in the area, when I thought ‘lets go check out this camping area’. Pulling in to the Gravel Bay camping area offers no clue of anything particularly special. It’s a few clearings up high on the cliff and pretty exposed to wind. There is a beautiful beach at the base of the cliff top area, but it’s a fair climb to get back to camp.
The special treat starts with a sign I love to see “4wd only”. This track descends down the side of the hill and follows the base of the hill right near sea level. It winds along the coast for only about 600m, along some spectacular rocky coast line.
You’ve got to be lucky
Along this little stretch of coast, there are just three likely looking spots to camp, but all look fantastic.
The first area is a detour off the track onto a beach. The sand looked pretty soft when I was there, and I wasn’t in the mood to let tyres down or get bogged since we were just passing through. It appeared others before us had, as there were tyre ruts through the sand. This could be suitable for an off road van to pull in right on the waters edge. There is a decent little stretch of beach that could be camped on here – so could perhaps support a couple of campers and maintain a bit of distance between them.
For those looking for a spot less likely to get bogged, the second area is a clearing of hard compacted dirt. There was a camper trailer set up in a nook in the corner which looked like a great spot when we were there. For groups, you’d probably fit a an extra family or two and still allow room for cars to drive through to the third spot. I’d be mindful about leaving enough room for someone towing to turn around though. With any luck, they’d be sussing it out without a van in tow first!
The end of the track has a similar clearing of firm dirt. This is a larger area, and could fit a few families / vans in. Again, be mindful of the need for people to turn their cars around here. This as the end of the road, this is where everyone will do it. there is some flattish ground right at the end of the track to get a campsite off the ‘road’.
The track itself, whilst signed 4wd only is pretty easy going for the most part. It is only just before the final campsite that it goes over a crest that has some large holes blown out of it. It caught me (and the dog in the back) by surprise as we bounced over the top. I took it much slower on the way out and it was fine. It would definitely be interesting with a van in tow though and I think you’d need decent clearance.
Amenities at Gravel Bay
There is a toilet block at the ‘top’ campground at Gravel Bay, but nothing down in these hidden gem spots. This is a self contained only setup as there isn’t really any where to wonder off to do your business in private either!
Things to see and do
The coastline is mostly rocky outcrops, but there looked to be some good water for fishing off areas, with nice sandy holes not far off shore. Weather and swell would be a deciding factor.
There’s also a few nice little areas between rocks for a dip if the weather heats up, and the aforementioned beach at the start of the track, further south, looks a ripper.
There is a hiking trail from the end of the road that follows the coast all the way around to Berry Bay south too. With a few beautiful little private coves along the way, I think I’d not make the whole journey!
Swimming, fishing, and exploring rock pools would be my pick here. Next time I am in the area and the wind is blowing the right way, I’ll be taking a peak in here to see if we can get lucky with a free spot.
We didn’t stay at the Gravel Bay camping area on this occasion, so it hasn’t made it onto my best campsites on Yorke Peninsula list just yet – but it’s a good chance when I do I reckon!
As with all council campgrounds, permits are required.
