Box Creek Bush Camp Campsite – Oodnadatta Track

Box Creek Bush Camp campsite is an amazing spot for free camping that most people miss driving past on the Oodnadatta Track. It’s where Box Creek and Old Woman Creek meet up about 3.5km from the old railway siding. No cost, no crowds, just proper bush camping the way it should be.

Box Creek Bush Camp Campsite Location And Info At A Glance

Cost: Free
Type: Free Camping / Bush Camping
Pet Friendly: Yes
Location: -28.714409°, 135.970542°
Distance From Marree: 248km
Distance From Oodnadatta: 157km
Distance From Marla: 411km

Finding The Campsite

Box Creek Bush Camp is easy enough once you know where to look. Coming from the north on the Oodnadatta Track, first left turn straight after you see the Box Creek sign. Drive right to the end – don’t stop halfway thinking you’re lost. It’s in about a kilometre from the track.

A few people reckon the turn can be hard to spot because the roads aren’t exactly what the maps show, but trust me – first left after that sign and keep going till you can’t go any further.

Box Creek Bush Camp Entry Point

What’s At Box Creek Bush Camp?

Box Creek Bush Camp isn’t a caravan park. No toilets, no water, no bins, no camp kitchen. You bring everything in, you take everything out. What you get instead is heaps of space, mostly flat ground and room for caravans of all sizes without getting jammed up against your neighbours.

Best spots are down the southern side about a kilometre in. The creeks form a bit of a bend here with some old coolabah trees giving decent shade. Ground’s pretty solid most of the time, but if it’s been raining stay off the softer patches or you’ll be reaching for the Maxtraxx and a shovel.

Fires And Firewood

Plenty of fallen timber lying around for fires. Every second review mentions this – seems there’s always enough wood to keep a fire going. Just check if there are any any fire bans in place before you light up.

Creek’s usually dry but when there’s water the mozzies turn up to the party. Flies are brutal here – probably the worst you’ll strike on the whole track. Bring a flynet or you’ll go mental.

Animals And Safety

Dingoes drop by regularly especially just before sunrise. Pretty amazing to see but keep your dog close and don’t leave anything interesting outside your van. Shoes seem to be a favourite thing to steal for some reason.

Birdlife’s excellent – wake up to proper bush sounds. Creek bed’s good for a wander, just watch the cats eyes from the local plants. They’ll go right through thin shoes.

Box Creek Bush Camp Oodnadatta Track On Google Earth

Why People Keep Coming Back

• Dead quiet out here. Far enough off the track that you won’t hear or see traffic. Most times you’ll have the whole place to yourself, though there’s room for half a dozen groups easy.
• Sunsets are something else. No light pollution so the stars are brilliant. When the desert flowers are out it’s pretty special.

Worth Knowing

• Turn up with everything – water, food, fuel. The nearest places to get anything at all from are at William Creek or The Oodnadatta Pink Roadhouse.
• Ground can get boggy after rain so pick your spot carefully. Dogs are welcome but watch them around the dingoes.
• Some people drive in, have a look, and decide it’s too early to stop. Big mistake – this spot’s worth staying for.

Box Creek Camp Campsite Is The Real Oodnadatta Track Camping Deal

Box Creek’s what outback camping used to be like everywhere. Free, spacious, no rules except the ones that matter – clean up after yourself and don’t wreck it for the next mob.

Not everyone’s cup of tea because there’s nothing here except what nature put there. But if you want proper bush camping this is as good as it gets on the Oodnadatta Track. Just don’t tell everyone about it – like we just did.