After a day at Monarto Safari Park, we drove 20 minutes up into the hills to Pymbroke Camp, a Hipcamp on the Bremer River at Rockleigh, and found the safari wasn’t quite over. Alpacas wander the property, grazing between the gums right next to the sites, and galahs perch in the trees above the sites. With only three sites on 79 acres, it’s about as private as booked camping gets near Adelaide.
What we like
- Alpacas wander through camp
- Only three sites on 79 acres
- Big, shady site among the gums
- $37 a night
- 20 minutes from Monarto
What we don’t
- Rocky, steep track in
- No water or showers
- No pets
About Pymbroke CampAbout
Pymbroke sits in the rocky outcrops of the Bremer Ranges, with the Bremer River running through, and the land was once an overnight yard for drovers moving sheep. Rodney, the host, keeps it simple: three big bush sites, a few long-drop toilets shared between them, and a few hand-painted signs with the rules. You book through Hipcamp, and the directions come with your booking. We paid $37 a night for Site 1, The Gums. Check-in is from midday and check-out by 11 am.
Quick facts
- AddressRockleigh SA 5254, Australia (directions after booking)See on the trip map →
- FacilitiesToiletsFire PitsCampingParkingNo Drinking WaterNo ShowersNo PowerNo Bins
- Good to know3 sites on 79 acresRocky track inNo pets
- Fees$37 a nightfirewood $20 a bag
- 8.0/10Overall rated
- Book your site
Getting There
Pymbroke is about 20 minutes from Monarto Safari Park, on sealed country roads most of the way. Once you’re through the gate, the property track drops down into the valley. The host describes it as narrow, rocky and steep, so take it slowly: in the dry it’s fine with care, but it gets tricky for small cars after rain.
On the way down, look out for the hand-painted weather report hanging in a tree. It lists what it means if the bonnet is wet, shaking, brown, dry, black or gone, the bush version of a forecast.
The Campsites
The three sites are well apart. Site 1, The Gums, is where we stayed: a big, flat patch of red dirt among small gum trees close to the river, with a hand-painted sign at the entrance, a fire extinguisher on a tree and plenty of room for the Prado, the awning, our table and chairs, and a hammock between two of the gums. It’s the most popular of the three and has room for a big group. Site 2, The Carobs, sits further back from the river under carob trees, and Site 3, The Sticks, is tucked in behind the scrub with tight access that suits tents and swags better than vans.
Facilities
Facilities are basic. The long-drop toilets, in little corrugated-iron sheds, are shared between the few sites, so bring your own toilet paper and close the lid after use. There’s no drinking water, no showers, no power and no bins, so bring all your water and take your rubbish home. Dogs aren’t allowed.
The rules board at the shed spells out the rest: no collecting firewood, no burning rubbish and no disturbing the animals. When fires are allowed, use the portable fire pits, not the ground, and tip your ash into the ash pit. Firewood is for sale at $20 a bag, and you can hire a gas heater for cold nights. Fire danger season starts on 1 November out here, so in summer plan on cooking with gas.
Alpacas Among the GumsAlpacas
The best surprise at Pymbroke is the alpacas. A small herd wanders the property, and in the morning they were grazing among the gums right beside our site, then strolled down the track as we packed up. Keep your distance and let them be, as the rules ask. Look up, too: there were galahs in the gums right above our site.
Things to Do NearbyThings to do
Monarto Safari Park is the obvious day out, 20 minutes away, with rhinos, lions and elephants on the plains and a hop-on, hop-off bus. Hahndorf and the rest of the Adelaide Hills are a bit further back towards Adelaide.
Summary
Pymbroke Camp is a quiet bush camp in the hills with only three big sites on 79 acres, alpacas wandering through and long drops for facilities, 20 minutes from Monarto for $37 a night. Take the rocky track in slowly, bring all your water and a gas stove, and leave the dog at home.
A quiet bush camp with alpacas for neighbours.
Only three big sites on 79 acres of gums and dry hills, with alpacas grazing past the tent, galahs in the trees and long drops for facilities, all 20 minutes from Monarto for $37 a night. Take the rocky track in slowly and bring all your water.
- 4WD tourers
- Families
- Groups
Yes. $37 a night gets you a big, private site among the gums with alpacas wandering through, on a property with only two other camps.
Recommended Gear for Pymbroke Camp
There’s no water on site, so carry plenty in good water containers, and cook on a gas stove like the Dune single burner when there’s a fire ban. The gums are perfect for a camping hammock, and with no showers, a portable camp shower is worth packing.
