Oodnadatta Free Camp – Oodnadatta Track
The Oodnadatta Free Camp is on the edge of town and makes a decent base for exploring this historic railway town on the Oodnadatta Track. It’s a proper council run free camp with basic facilities and walking distance to everything Oodnadatta has to offer.
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Oodnadatta Free Camp Campsite Location And Info At A Glance
Cost: Free
Type: Free Camping / Bush Camping
Location: -27.544493°, 135.446421°
Pet Friendly: Yes
Distance From Marree: 406km
Distance From Oodnadatta: 700m
Distance From Marla: 254km
Oodnadatta Free Camp Entrance Sign
Finding The Oodnadatta Free Camp
Look for the Free Camp sign on the northeast corner of town – you can’t miss it.When you get to Oodnadatta turn at the Museum sign and it’s on your left. The camp is right next to old Ghan railway line and museum.
What’s Available
Large flat area with room for quite a few rigs without getting cramped. Ground’s firm when dry but looks like it could turn into a bog if it gets wet. There are three shelters in decent condition, bins for rubbish and tables where you can set up for meals.
The electric BBQ is there but most people report it’s not working – makes a handy table for your camp stove though. You need to be fully self-contained as there’s no water or power.
Oodnadatta Free Camp From Above
Facilities And Town Access
Public toilets are about a 200 metre walk away – either at the Railway Museum or on the main road. They’re fairly new and kept clean. The walk’s not too bad during the day but most campers use their own facilities at night.
Everything in town is within easy walking distance. The Pink Roadhouse is your main stop – grocery store, gift shop, post office, meals, bar, and fuel all in one place.
Safety And Atmosphere
- This camp has a good reputation for safety. Multiple groups often camp here together, and there’s a real sense of community among travellers. People regularly mention feeling comfortable leaving their rigs during the day while exploring or doing day trips to places like Dalhousie Springs.
- Nights are quiet with minimal traffic noise.
What’s Around Town
The Railway Museum is worth checking out – grab the keys from the pub if it’s not open. There’s a playground nearby for kids, and the whole town’s basically a short stroll from the camp.
The pub across the road from the general store is bloody awesome. The Pink Roadhouse covers most of what you need. Their meals get consistently good reviews – large portions and decent tucker.
Phone coverage has improved recently with Telstra 4G now available in town.
Oodnadatta Free Camp
Things To Know About The Oodnadatta Free Camp
- Must be fully self-contained
- BBQ reported as not working but shelters and tables are available
- Toilets are a short walk away
- Safe to leave your rig during day trips
- Pink Roadhouse is your main supply point
- Good base for exploring the area
The Experience
This isn’t fancy camping but it does the job well. Clean, safe, and convenient to town facilities. You’ll likely meet other travellers doing the same journey, and the camp has that genuine outback community feel where people look out for each other.