Marla Travellers Rest: Your Last (Or First) Oodnadatta Track Stop

Marla Travellers Rest: Your Last (Or First) Oodnadatta Track Stop

Marla Travellers Rest: Your Last (Or First) Oodnadatta Track Stop

If you’re driving the Oodnadatta Track chances are you’ll end up at Marla Travellers Rest. This roadhouse is right where the Stuart Highway meets the Oodnadatta Track.

This makes the Marla Travellers Rest an obvious choice for your first or last campsite and supply point before heading into some seriously remote country or taking a rest at the end of it. We’ve stopped here multiple times over the years and it’s one of our regular stops in the region. Here’s what you need to know.

Marla Travellers Rest Caravan Park Location And Info At A Glance

Cost: $45 per night powered – $25 per night unpowered
Type: Caravan Park
Location: Wattle St, Marla, South Australia
GPS: -27.3040320, 133.6244510
Pet Friendly: Yes
Website: https://www.marla.com.au/
Distance From Marree: 603km
Distance From Oodnadatta: 254km
Distance From Marla: 0km

Marla Travellers Rest On Google Earth

Marla Travellers Rest On Google Earth

Why Marla Travellers Rest Caravan Park Works

The amenities here are fantastic. The shower blocks are spotless despite constant use from travellers coming off dusty tracks. Someone’s clearly taking pride in maintaining these facilities properly.

Sites are well thought out too. The powered spots give you gravel to park on but grass to step onto when you open your van door – simple but effective. Unpowered sites follow a more relaxed roundabout setup that works fine, though it’s less structured than in some parks.

What’s Available

Marla Travellers Rest Caravan Park covers pretty much everything you’d expect:

Food And Drink

  • Café doing breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Decent coffee that actually tastes like coffee
  • Bar with proper happy hour ($5 beers)
  • Good feed available in the restaurant – they don’t skimp on the vegetables

Supplies

  • Supermarket with solid range of basics
  • Cold goods and frozen items
  • Camping gear and mechanical bits
  • Fuel – both diesel and unleaded

Facilities

  • Swimming pool (clean and refreshing)
  • Camp kitchen with sinks and power points
  • Phone coverage works fine
  • Hot showers with good pressure

Pricing And Practicalities

Service Details Notes
Powered Sites $45 a night Book early afternoon for best availability
Unpowered Sites $25 a night Roundabout-style layout
Fuel Diesel and petrol Occasional supply disruptions possible
Supermarket Full range of supplies Cold goods, camping gear, mechanical items
Café/Restaurant Breakfast, lunch, dinner Good portions, fresh vegetables
Bar Happy hour specials $5 beers during happy hour
Swimming Pool Clean and maintained Great for cooling off
Amenities Exceptionally clean Hot showers, good water pressure

Get in by early afternoon if you want a powered site. Place fills up fast, especially when there’s fuel issues elsewhere along the highway. We’ve seen it absolutely packed by nightfall, but it stays surprisingly quiet given the numbers.

Oodnadatta Track Considerations

Whether you’re starting or finishing the Oodnadatta Track, Marla serves a crucial role. Heading out? This is your last reliable chance to grab supplies, top up water and fuel up properly. The next decent services are a long way away. Coming back? Time to celebrate with a cold beer and hot shower after days of rough camping.

The supermarket stocks more than you’d expect for such a remote location. They’ve got the basics covered plus camping accessories and some mechanical gear. Won’t replace proper preparation, but handy for last-minute items or emergency supplies.

What It Is

It’s not fancy. You’re paying for location and reliability rather than luxury. When you’re this far from anywhere location and reliability matter more than fancy landscaping. The pool’s clean, the showers are hot and the bar serves cold beer at good prices. Hard to ask for much more.

Road noise exists but it’s not excessive. Most nights stay pretty quiet despite being right off the highway. The grass areas give you somewhere decent to sit outside your van rather than just dirt or gravel.

End Or Start Of The Oodnadatta Track At Marla

Amanda & I At The End Or Start (End For Us This Trip) Of The Oodnadatta Track At Marla In 2024

Bottom Line

Marla works because it delivers the essentials without fuss. Clean facilities, fair prices, reliable services and everything you need for track preparation or recovery. We keep coming back because it consistently meets expectations rather than promising more than it delivers.

For anyone serious about the Oodnadatta Track this stop makes sense. Just don’t expect to roll in at 5pm and get your pick of powered sites.

EDC (Everyday Carry) For Camping In A Caravan

EDC (Everyday Carry) For Camping In A Caravan

EDC (Everyday Carry) For Camping In A Caravan

What’s in my pockets when I go camping in our caravan? EDC (Every Day Carry) is a big topic on YouTube. But what about for camping? There are loads of YouTube videos and shorts on the subject but hardly any of it camping specific.

All blokes (and blokettes) know that it’s always a good thing to have a few simple tools in your pockets that you commonly use for everyday tasks. It’ll depend on what you do for a living and your hobbies as to what you carry. I carry the same stuff all year around. It works well for me day to day as well as when I’m out camping in the caravan or doing some geocaching.

So What EDC Do I Have In My Pockets?

  1. Pen: Parker Jotter. They’re reliable and don’t cost a lot.
  2. Multitool: SOG PowerPint. It’s small and it’s light and has the functions I need.
  3. Pocket Knife: Gerber Zilch. It’s compact, it’s very light and it works well enough
  4. Torch: Wurkkos FC13S. It’s bright and it’s light and the battery goes for ages.

EDC Everday Carry For Camping With A Caravan

EDC Everday Carry For Camping With A Caravan

What Does It Weigh – Does It Make My Pants Fall Down?

Hey – nobody wants to see me with my dacks around my ankles! Next to functionality my key driver for the choices of my Camping EDC items is weight.

Item Weight
Pen (Parker Jotter) 13gm
Multitool (SOG PowerPint) 120gm
Pocket Knife (Gerber Zilch) 60gm
Torch (Wurkkos FC13S) 122gm
Total 315gm

My EDC Camping Everyday Carry Items In Detail

Parker Jotter (Pen)

These have been around forever and I’ve been using them for almost as long. They’re not super duper fancy but they are a step up from your usual biro. They are very durable and are relatively inexpensive. Mine gets used for maybe 8 hours a day every weekday. I will use mine until I lose it (again) then I will buy another one!

One of the best things about them is the huge range of refills you can use them with. I usually use mine with a Fisher Space-Pen Bold Blue pressurised refill in it. The Space-Pen refill writes upside down, underwater and on just about anything. It’s nice and smooth as well. At the moment I am trialling a Parker GEL 0.7 refill – I’m not convinced and think I’ll end up going back to the Space Pen refill.

Parker Jotter Dav's EDC Everyday Carry Pen

Parker Jotter Dav’s EDC Everyday Carry Pen

SOG PowerPint (Multitool)

The PowerPint is a small multitool that does all I need it to do. It has 18 tools and my favourite thing about it is the magnetic hex bit holder. I often carry a clip with various hex bits if I’m going to be doing stuff for the day that warrants it. The pliers have compound leverage with nice, smooth open and close. The compound leverage lets you get a much firmer grip than would otherwise be possible with such a small tool. It’s only 10cm long and a lightweight 120gm so fits in my pocket nicely.

SOG PowerPint Daves EDC Everyday Caravan When Camping

SOG PowerPint Daves EDC Everyday Caravan When Camping

The scissors aren’t very good and both knives (serrated blade and std blade) are too small to use as a standalone pocket knife. Otherwise all of the tools are great and very functional. It includes a serrated blade, can opener, inch rule, needle nose pliers, bolt gripper, soft wire cutter, straight edge blade, awl, jewelry driver, hook cutter, file, mm rule, magnetic bit holder, wire crimper, bevel gauge, scissors, bottle opener, #1 Phillips.

SOG PowerPint Using Bit Holder

SOG PowerPint Using Bit Holder

Gerber Zilch (Pocket Knife)

The Gerber Zilch is a lightweight and budget EDC (Everyday Carry). It’s nice and slim, has a lightweight feel and has stood up to over 18 months of use. I use it often for cutting up cardboard for the recycle bin. I’ve used it when camping for cutting various rope and cord and it handles these tasks easily. Being a similar size and shape to a normal kitchen paring knife makes it perfect for simple cooking tasks like slicing up tomatoes, cucumbers and anything else you’d use a paring knife on. The blade isn’t high end steel so requires frequent sharpening although having said that it does take a VERY nice edge. I wouldn’t use it for heavy heavy tasks.

Gerber Zilch Nice Light EDC Pocket Knife

Gerber Zilch Nice Light EDC Pocket Knife

The handle is comfortable for me and it has dual thumb studs for easy opening. It’s got a solid liner lock with no wobble at all although it’s slow to close the blade because of it being a liner lock knife. It’s a great option for anyone needing a reliable, no frills knife for basic daily tasks.

Gerber Zilch After A Few Years EDC

Gerber Zilch After A Few Years EDC

Wurkkos FC13S (Torch)

The Wurkkos FC13S LED torch is a simple and reliable rechargeable torch in a compact size. I’ve been using mine for almost two years and it still charges and works like new. The battery is a standard rechargeable 18650 LI-ION so if it ever starts to go bad I can just replace it. It gives 2500 lumens with a beam distance reaching 166 metres on full throttle but that’s only for two minutes before it heats up and throttles itself back. It’s bloody bright. The light cuts through dust and fog effectively making it particularly useful in low visibility conditions such as misty or wet weather. I use mine a couple of times a week in a very dusty grain storage shed and it works very well in there. I reckon it’s the absolute perfect camping torch for me.

Dave's Wurkkos FC13S EDC Torch

Dave’s Wurkkos FC13S EDC Torch

Conclusion To Everyday Carry EDC For Camping

Everyone is different so your EDC for camping will likely vary greatly to mine. And your weekday EDC could be different still. What I carry works great for me. The items are all of pretty good quality (the knife could be better) and the weight and size have been kept low.

What do you have in your EDC – camping or otherwise? Let us know in the comments below!

Oodnadatta Track Fuel Stops 2026 – Complete Guide

Oodnadatta Track Fuel Stops 2026 – Complete Guide

Oodnadatta Track Fuel Stops 2026 – Complete Guide

Complete list of Oodnadatta Track fuel stops and contacts for your outback adventure along one of Australia’s most iconic tracks.

Fuel planning is absolutely critical for this journey as services are limited and distances between fuel stops can be substantial. We’ve been to and used all of these stops many times. Here’s our complete guide to fuel availability along the track.

Given the current circumstances in 2026 fuel availability along the Oodnadatta Track can change without notice. Some outlets may have limited supplies or altered opening hours due to demand, weather or logistics. Use any details in this guide as a general indication only, not a guarantee. Before you travel you should always phone each service station or roadhouse to confirm current fuel availability, opening hours and what fuel types they have on the day. Phone numbers for all fuel stops mentioned are listed for you in the blog post below so you can check ahead and plan safely.

Oodnadatta Track Fuel Stops Map Infographic

Oodnadatta Track Fuel Stops Map (Not To Scale)

Distance Summary & Fuel Planning

Route Section Distance Fuel Strategy
Marree → William Creek 196km Fill at Marree, top up at William Creek
William Creek → Oodnadatta 201km Mandatory fuel stop at William Creek
Oodnadatta → Marla 254km Fill at Oodnadatta for final stretch

List Of Oodnadatta Track Fuel Stops Grouped In Order Of Location

1. Marree General Store & Fuel

Marree is the south eastern beginning of the Oodnadatta Track. The Marree Roadhouse, Oasis Cafe/Bistro is open 7 days a week from 7.30am till 6.30pm for all your general needs, take away meals, coffee, cold drinks, ice, groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, souvenirs, camping equipment and tools. EFTPOS is available. This is one our favourite Oodnadatta Track fuel stops and we ALWAYS call in here for fuel and to stock up. I’ve been wearing a hat I bought here 10 years ago whenever I go outside!

Address: Oodnadatta Track, Marree, South Australia 5733
GPS Coordinates: -29.6497°S, 138.0413°E
Types Of Fuel Available: Diesel, Unleaded Petrol
Phone: (08) 8675 8352 – (08) 8675 8360
Opening Hours: 7 Days 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Fuel Availability Hours: Same as opening hours
Services Available: General store, camping supplies, ice, basic groceries, mechanical services, accommodation bookings
Website: https://marreemotel.com.au

2. William Creek Hotel & Roadhouse

William Creek is just about right on the halfway mark if you’re driving the full length of the track. William Creek is the smallest town in South Australia. This is the only fuel stop between Marree, Coober Pedy and Oodnadatta – making it absolutely essential for track travelers. There is both Unleaded and Diesel at the bowser located outside the William Creek Hotel. Fuel is available 24hrs a day at the self service bowser and there’s always plenty of fuel available all year round.

Address: Oodnadatta Track, William Creek, South Australia, 5710, Australia
GPS Coordinates: -28.9333°S, 136.3500°E
Types Of Fuel Available: Diesel, Unleaded Petrol
Phone: (08) 8670 7880
Opening Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fuel Availability Hours: 24-hour fuel available (self serve after hours)
Services Available: Hotel accommodation, restaurant, bar, camping ground, general store, mechanical repairs, scenic flights booking
Website: https://www.williamcreekhotel.com/

3. Pink Roadhouse – Oodnadatta

The iconic Pink Roadhouse is a legendary outback stop famous for its Oodnaburgers. This is your last fuel stop before heading northwest to Marla or south back toward civilization.

Address: Oodnadatta, SA 5734
GPS Coordinates: -27.5553°S, 135.4467°E
Types Of Fuel Available: Unleaded petrol, Diesel
Phone: (08) 8670 7822
Opening Hours: 7 Days 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (extended hours during peak season)
Fuel Availability Hours: Same as opening hours
Services Available: Accommodation (cabins and camping), restaurant (famous Oodnaburgers), general store, mechanical services, camping supplies, ice, tourist information
Website: https://pinkroadhouse.com.au/

4. Marla Travellers Rest

Located on the Stuart Highway Marla serves as the northwestern access point to the Oodnadatta Track. Marla Traveller’s Rest is a sprawling roadhouse, hotel/motel, restaurant, service station, supermarket and more all in one place.

Address: Stuart Highway, Marla, SA 5724
GPS Coordinates: -27.3000°S, 133.0833°E
Types Of Fuel Available: Unleaded Petrol, Premium unleaded, Diesel, LPG
Phone: (08) 8670 7001
Opening Hours: Daily 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fuel Availability Hours: 24-hour fuel available (card payment after hours)
Services Available: Accommodation (motel units), restaurant, takeaway food, general store, camping ground, ATM, mechanical services
Website: https://www.marla.com.au/

5. Lyndhurst Fuel Options

Lyndhurst is at the end of the Strzelecki Track and you will pass through it coming from south to join the OOdnadatta. While not directly on the Oodnadatta Track it’s a great fuel stop for those approaching from the south or connecting to other outback routes.

5a. Perrys Lyndhurst

Address: The Outback Hwy, Lyndhurst, SA, 5731
GPS Coordinates: -30.28719903045753, 138.34923743900703
Types Of Fuel Available: Diesel
Phone: (08) 8636 2274 – Perrys Head Office
Opening Hours: 24 Hours (self serve card only)
Fuel Availability Hours: 24 Hours
Services Available: Fuel
Website: https://perrys.com.au/

5b. IOR Lyndhurst

Address: 3 Short Street, Lyndhurst SA 5731, Australia
GPS Coordinates: -30.287481786739995, 138.35235109667667
Types Of Fuel Available: Diesel
Phone: 1300 457 467 – IOR Head Office
Opening Hours: 24 Hours (payment using Fuel Charge App https://www.fuelcharge.com.au/)
Fuel Availability Hours: 24 Hours
Services Available: Fuel
Website: https://www.ior.com.au/

6. Coober Pedy Fuel Options

Coober Pedy famous for its opal mines and underground houses has multiple fuel options.

6a. Shell Coober Pedy

Address: 454 Hutchison St, Coober Pedy SA 5723
GPS Coordinates: -29.0147°S, 134.7544°E
Types Of Fuel Available: Unleaded petrol, Premium unleaded, Diesel
Phone: (08) 8672 5350
Opening Hours: 7 Days 24 Hours
Fuel Availability Hours: 7 Days 24 Hours
Services Available: Convenience store, food options, ATM
Website: https://find.shell.com/au/fuel/10111493-shell-coober-pedy-roadhouse/en_AUhttps://find.shell.com/au/fuel/10111493-shell-coober-pedy-roadhouse/en_AU

6b. Perrys Coober Pedy

Address: Flat Hill Rd, Coober Pedy SA 5723
GPS Coordinates:
Types Of Fuel Available:
Phone: (08) 8636 2274 – Perrys Head Office
Opening Hours: 24 Hours (self serve card only)
Fuel Availability Hours: Same as opening hours
Services Available: Fuel
Website: https://perrys.com.au/

7. Mount Dare Hotel

Mount Dare is north of Oodnadatta near the border with the Northern Territory. This remote location is a gateway for those continuing north to Alice Springs and for exploring the western MacDonnell Ranges.

Address: Mount Dare, SA 5734
GPS Coordinates: -26.6833°S, 135.1833°E
Types Of Fuel Available: Unleaded Petrol, Diesel
Phone: (08) 8670 7835
Opening Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (seasonal variations)
Fuel Availability Hours: Same as opening hours
Services Available: Hotel accommodation, restaurant, bar, camping ground, general store, mechanical services
Website: https://www.mtdare.com.au/

8. Roxby Downs

Borefield Road (Borefield Track) is a popular entry point to the Oodnadatta Track. Borefield Road starts in Roxby Downs and meets the Oodnadatta Track 68km west of Marree, or 136km east of William Creek. Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam just north of Roxby are the last available fuel before either william Creek or Marree when travelling Borefield Road.

8a. BP Roxby Downs

Address: 26 Olympic Way, Roxby Downs SA 5725
GPS Coordinates: -30.553387473299107, 136.89372145435607
Types Of Fuel Available: Diesel, Unleaded Petrol, Premium Unleaded Petrol
Phone: (08) 8419 4683
Opening Hours: 7 Days 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Fuel Availability Hours: Same as opening hours
Services Available: Convenience Store, Food, Toilets
Website: https://map.bp.com/en-AU/AU/gas-station/roxby-downs/ampm-roxby-downs/5500

8b. Lavricks Roadhouse

Address: Olympic Way North, Olympic Dam
GPS Coordinates: -30.48424453960465, 136.89301790788122
Types Of Fuel Available: Diesel, Unleaded Petrol, Premium Unleaded Petrol, LPG
Phone: (08) 8671 0554
Opening Hours: 7 Days 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fuel Availability Hours: Same as opening hours
Services Available: Convenience Store, Food, Roadhouse, Toilets
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Lavricks-Roadhouse-Olympic-Dam-61556682005282/

Main Track Fuel Stops (South to North)

Location & Facility Address & GPS Distance From Previous
MARREE
Marree Roadhouse & Oasis Cafe		 Railway Terrace, Marree SA 5733
29°39’01″S, 138°02’29″E		 Starting Point
WILLIAM CREEK
William Creek Hotel		 William Creek SA 5710
28°56’00″S, 136°21’00″E		 215km from Marree
OODNADATTA
Pink Roadhouse		 Main Street, Oodnadatta SA 5734
27°33’19″S, 135°26’48″E		 207km from William Creek
MARLA
Marla Traveller’s Rest		 Stuart Highway, Marla SA 5724
27°18’00″S, 133°13’00″E		 220km from Oodnadatta

Last Updated: August 2025 – Information subject to change. Always verify current details before travel.

The Police Paddocks Campsite: Murray River Free Camp

The Police Paddocks Campsite: Murray River Free Camp

The Police Paddocks Campsite: Murray River Free Camp

Last updated: August 2025 | Visited: Multiple times over 15 years of Murray River camping

After decades of exploring Australia’s free camping network, The Police Paddocks Campsite along Murphys Creek near Rutherglen remains one of our most recommended stops in Victoria’s northeast. This sprawling riverside site consistently delivers what many promise but fail to provide – genuine space.

Police Paddocks Free Camp

Police Paddocks Free Camp

Getting There

The 3.5km gravel access road from the main highway handles everything from our mates massive 24-foot rig down to small campervans. Yes there are potholes – some deep, but they’re well spaced and easily navigated at reasonable speeds.

We’ve been in on this access track for years and while it’s never perfect, it’s remained consistently passable. The local council seems to do some work on it it annually, usually before the busy Easter period.

Road Condition Checklist:

  • Dry conditions: Suitable for all vehicles including 2WD with caravans
  • After rain: Stick to the middle of the track, edges become boggy
  • Potholes: There are plenty of potholes on the road in but if you go nice and slow you’ll be ok
  • Clearance: Plenty of clearance

Pro tip from experience: After heavy rain, stick to the middle of the road. The edges can become boggy particularly the final 500 metres approaching the camping area.

Site Layout At The Police Paddocks Campsite

Unlike many “spacious” free camps that turn out to be single file parking, The Police Paddocks Campsite sprawls across several hectares. During our most recent visit in June 2025 we counted spaces for easily 40+ sites without anyone feeling crowded.

Camping Zone Options:

  • River Frontage: 800m of premium spots under river red gums – shaded, scenic, but watch for falling branches
  • Open Grassland: 200m back from water – sunny, spacious, better for solar panels and satellite dishes
  • Creek-side: Smaller spots along Murphys Creek – quieter, good for fishing access
  • Boundary Area: Less popular but private spots near the back fence

Important safety note: Those beautiful red gums regularly drop substantial branches. I’ve witnessed loads of close calls over the years. Always inspect overhead before settling in, particularly after windy weather.

Police Paddocks Free Campsite

Police Paddocks Free Campsite

Why This Site Works: Community Self-Management

What sets The Police Paddocks Campsite apart is the informal stewardship by long-term visitors. During our stays, we’ve met “regulars” who’ve been coming for 15+ years – retired couples who spend weeks here and take genuine pride in maintaining the area.

Some of the long termers have basically adopted the place. They’ll mow tracks through the grass, pick up rubbish that thoughtless people leave behind, and drag fallen branches off the camping areas. Old-fashioned camping etiquette – the kind that’s disappearing elsewhere but somehow survives here.

Facilities Reality Check: Bring Everything

Zero facilities means exactly that. No toilets, no water, no bins. Full self-containment isn’t optional – it’s essential. We’ve seen unprepared campers leave within hours when they realise there’s nowhere to dump grey water or access fresh supplies.

Rutherglen and Corowa both have decent shops for anything you forgot to pack. We’ve done plenty of last-minute dashes to the Rutherglen IGA before they close at 8 – usually for milk or bread we somehow managed to run out of.

Connectivity & Communications At The Police Paddocks Campsite

Mobile coverage is patchy at best. Telstra provides occasional 3G, sometimes improving to 4G during overnight hours when network traffic drops. You can forget Optus and Vodafone.

Local Knowledge: Making The Most of Your Stay

Service/Facility Rutherglen (15min) Corowa (20min) At Campsite
Supermarket IGA (8pm close) Woolworths None
Fuel Multiple options BP, Shell None
Mechanical Auto repairs available Full workshop None
Medical GP clinic Hospital None
WiFi Library (free) McDonald’s, Library None
Dump Point Caravan park ($5) Visitors centre (free) None

Essential Items to Bring:

  • Firewood (cleaned out regularly – buy bundles in Rutherglen $8)
  • All water (minimum 100L for extended stays)
  • Complete grey/black water storage
  • Insect repellent and fly nets (flies can be persistent)

Best fishing: Early morning along the deeper pools near the bend, 300 metres downstream from the main camping area. Murray cod and redfin are most active just after sunrise.

Wind warning: When the northerlies blow the open areas can get uncomfortable. Those big red gums along the river are your friend – they block most of the wind and keep things pleasant even on blustery days.

Police Paddocks Near Rutherglen

Police Paddocks Near Rutherglen

Why The Police Paddocks Campsite Is So Popular

In an era of increasingly regulated camping places like this survive through mutual respect and community responsibility. It’s not perfect. As with everywhere we go we encounter the occasional inconsiderate camper or find rubbish left behind or fires not put out properly. For campers wanting close proximity to Rutherglen’s renowned wineries, The Police Paddocks Campsite is a great place. 

There are lots of other free camping areas available in the Murray River region.

Have you stayed at The Police Paddocks? Share your experiences and help maintain the community knowledge that keeps places like this accessible for everyone. – Add your comments below

Comments – Share Your Experiences!

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite – Oodnadatta Track

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite – Oodnadatta Track

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite – Oodnadatta Track

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite offers free camping near Oodnadatta. Perfect for self-contained campers wanting peace, views and quiet. Most people driving the Oodnadatta Track either push through to Marla or stop in town at the Pink Roadhouse. But there’s another option that many campers miss – a small free camping area tucked behind some weathered hills just north of Oodnadatta.

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite Location Map

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite Location And Info At A Glance

Cost: Free
Type: Free Camping / Bush Camping
Location: Small hills near angle pole, South Australia
GPS: -27.490360°, 135.418222°
Pet Friendly: Yes
Distance From Marree: 413km
Distance From Oodnadatta: 7km
Distance From Marla: 247km

Angle Pole Memorial Sign

Angle Pole Memorial Sign Courtesy Of The Pink Roadhouse

Finding Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite

You’ll see vehicle tracks heading towards some low rocky hills. Sometimes someone will have left a branch marking the turn-off, sometimes not. The drive in takes a few minutes following wheel ruts for around 700 metres.

Watch out for one steep dip that can catch low vehicles off guard. Most standard caravans handle it fine, but check your clearance first. Don’t attempt entry after heavy rain – the clay soil turns into the caravan equivalent of a venus flytrap and you could be there for days.

The Camping Area

You’ll find yourself in a sheltered spot between small hills and a dry creek. The ground is mostly gravel and gibber stones, which makes for good drainage. There’s room for three or four rigs without crowding, plus space to turn around even with a big setup.

Old fire pits dot the area from previous campers. The real draw is scrambling up one of the nearby hills for the view. Takes maybe five minutes to reach the top and you can see for kilometers in every direction. Oodnadatta looks tiny from up there.

What To Bring

Everything. Water, food, fuel, toilet paper – the works. No bins either, so pack out your rubbish. The nearest supplies are back in Oodnadatta and the Pink Roadhouse closes early.

Phone signal is patchy at best. Climb a hill and you might get one bar of Telstra coverage if you’re lucky. Forget about streaming anything or video calls.

The Downsides

  • Flies swarm during the day in warmer weather. Bring fly nets or you’ll go mad. When evening comes the flies disappear.
  • Wind can be strong funneling between the hills. Make sure your awning is properly pegged down.

Why Choose Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite Over Town?

  • Simple – peace and quiet. Oodnadatta camping can get very busy at times. The only sounds here is the wind and maybe a distant dingo.
  • Plus it costs nothing. Hard to argue with free when you’re on a tight travel budget.

Railway History

Bits of the old Ghan line are scattered around if you look. Sections of rail and wooden sleepers slowly weathering away. Don’t move anything – it’s part of the area’s character.

The railway used to run right through here before they moved it east. These remnants are all that’s left of that era.

Who Should Stay At The Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite

Experienced campers who don’t need facilities will love it. First-timers or those wanting hot showers and flushing toilets should stay in town.

If constant flies annoy you, or if dust bothers you, or if you need reliable phone coverage – this isn’t your spot. But if you want genuine outback solitude with great views it’s hard to beat.

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite On Google Earth

Small Hills Near Angle Pole Campsite On Google Earth

Keep It Clean

This place works because people respect it. Take your rubbish with you.

Bottom Line

It’s basic bush camping at its finest. No frills, no facilities, just you and the outback. The hills provide shelter from wind, the views are spectacular.

Most commercial campgrounds along the Track charge upwards of $25 per night. This costs nothing and offers something money can’t buy – complete silence and a genuine connection to one of Australia’s most remote regions.