Book holiday accommodation in SA’s national parks

If you’re more into glamping than camping, consider the unique roofed accommodation on offer in South Australia’s national parks.

From historic miners’ lodges and lighthouse keepers’ cottages to recently renovated accommodation with fully equipped kitchens, there’s options perfect for individuals, couples and groups of up to 10 people.

Here’s a selection you can book online:

Yorke Peninsula

Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park offers accommodation in the form of seven charming lodges dotted around the ruins in the historic town of Inneston.

Most of the lodges have been renovated, but still retain their historic exterior. The Engineers and Managers lodges are perfect for larger groups, both sleeping up to 10 people. Perched high on a hill, they offer superb sea views and views across Inneston Lake from their wide verandas.

For smaller groups, choose the Norfolk, Gatehouse, Post Office, Shepherds or Mallee lodges.

Only need to book for two? No problem, the Post Office is perfect for couples with one bedroom.

Kangaroo Island

Flinders Chase National Park is home to the recently restored May’s Homestead (sleeps 4) and Postman’s Cottage (sleeps 2) after being almost totally destroyed by the bushfires on Kangaroo Island in the summer of 2019/2020. The two state heritage-listed cottages now offer the highest standard of accommodation offered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The properties are close enough to be booked together for sharing by a group, but far enough apart that you can still experience privacy. You can use the cosy self-contained accommodation as a base while exploring the western end of Kangaroo Island.

You can also hire a lighthouse keepers’ cottage at Cape Willoughby Conservation Park. Both Seymour Cottage is fully refurbished and sleep up to nine people.

While you’re there, don’t forget to attend a guided tour of Cape Willoughby Lightstation, SA’s first lighthouse. The Historic Lighthouse tour (45 minutes) tells the fascinating history of Cape Willoughby from the time of the original settlement up to current day. If you're short on time, an Express Tour (20 minutes) is also available. Starting at the base of the lighthouse, you'll be guided up 102 steps to the top where you will experience breathtaking views while learning about the history of the lighthouse. If you're lucky, you can occasionally see schools of salmon or humpback, southern wright or killer whales.

Want some variety? You can mix your accommodation bookings to spend time in different locations on the island.

Flinders Ranges and Outback

Boasting fantastic bushwalking and camping Mount Remarkable National Park, located in Mambray Creek, offers two cabins for hire.

Alligator Lodge, located on a hillside in Alligator Gorge (Wilmington), sleeps up to 10 people in three bedrooms and is well located to explore the park’s scenery, bushwalking trails and gorges.

The lodge offers visitors lovely views of the surrounding bush and blue gums from its floor to ceiling windows.

Situated in the main campground Mambray Creek Cabin sleeps up to four people and offers a more rustic camping experience. But you’ll want to know your camping buddies quite well – the cabin is open plan with no bedrooms. Bring everything with you except cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery which is provided, but leave your hairdryer at home as there are no power points.

(Main photo: Engineers Lodge, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park)

This story was originally posted in September 2016.