Pildappa Rock in South Australia’s Gawler Ranges is currently closed completely to visitors as major upgrades to the facilities are carried out at the iconic destination.
The big news though is that when the Pildappa Rock Recreation Reserve re-opens on April 1, camping will no longer be allowed, with authorities saying they want to better preserve the site.
The upgrades and the idea of the site transitioning to a day-only facility is understood to better protect the natural environment of the reserve and the rock as a natural asset.
The Travel & Tour Publication says the move reflects a growing trend in tourism management, prioritising the conservation of natural sites while accommodating increasing visitor numbers.
The facilities at Pildappa Rock is being upgraded. PIC: Bec Smart Photography / Wudinna District Council
The idea is that this approach ensures that Pildappa Rock remains a sustainable and attractive destination for future generations.
Pildappa Rock boasts wave formations that rival WA’s famous ‘Wave Rock’. PIC: Bec Smart Photography / Wudinna District Council
However, Wudinna District Council says that – while there will no longer be camping at the reserve – there is a private landowner who is preparing a site for travellers which only be a short walk from the Rock. It is hoped that this will be available to campers around the same time as Pildappa Rock access reopens.
The council says its draft management will guide the future of Pildappa Rock Recreation Reserve. Features of the plan include:
The granite outcrop – located 15 kilometres off the National Highway One – boasts wave formations that rival the famous ‘Wave Rock’ in Western Australia.
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Loved our visit out to the rock, climbed all over it, took a squillion photos. We had planned to camp out at Pildappa Rock many years ago, we started to set up the caravan when hubby remembered it was State of Origin night (Qld v NSW rugby league). We set up the TV, alas no reception. We ventured a bit further west to the next town and watch the footy at the local pub.
We have camped with friends in our Motor home & the only issue was very unfriendly & very rude campers
Spent a few nights there over the years, most recently 6 months ago. Hardly overrun with day trippers or campers and the facilities were more than adequate to cater for everyone. Guess the council aren’t broke if they can afford to spend scarce money where it isn’t needed
Another beautiful SCV night camp gone, the opposite of tourist attraction. The night sky here is staggering, but who’s gunna see it? There are heaps of wonderful big rocks in this area – better than Uluru, you can climb them (for now!). But the roads to them are poor and unsealed and unsuitable for any serious tourism, like most SA attractions, so only those of us who know these treasures bother. Fix this Tourism SA, WA is roads ahead
Have stayed there three times and intended to again later this year on our way from WA to FNQ and again on return. May have to revise that thought.
We’ve camped there twice on our 18 yrs of Fulltime Caravanning around the country and it’s never been crowded at all.
A certainly beautiful place to stay over a few nights with our self contained van and will be sadly missed.!
It’s sad to hear yet another freedom camp shutdown because of trumped up ideas from councils and other groups.!
How coincidental that after the closure to camping, there just happens to be a farmer willing to offer camping at a price.!
What cost will that be for a piece of dirt.!
Since finishing our FT travels in March 2020 I’ve heard and read of so many similar campsites being shutdown because of bureaucratic red tape from local councils, environmental and cultural issues.!
We camped there in April 2015.
Lovely region.
I made a video of our trip; including the Organ Pipes. Link on YouTube below:-
https://youtu.be/zE_VkA6ADx8?si=0F_REGh8aVfnJGGc
I decoupled the Geist van & left it in front of the police station in town, before steering our Nissan Navara to the Pipes.
It’s been awhile since we were that way (1917), but we camped at Tcharkuldu Rock, around the back near the hut. I wonder if this is still available. It was a donation camp when we were there. We drove to Pildappa just for a look as we’d been there before.
Same
We stayed there once, and found it very interesting.
I’m sure we paid our accomadation being a NP.
Camped there a few years ago .Lovely camp very few people there .Facilities where sufficient and the area natural .So now it needs to be butchered does it?
Butchered is the right word.
Camped there 10 months ago – glad we did before it’s spoiled by updating/modernisation
We stayed overnight in about 2014. Loved it. A lot of what made it magical was the remoteness and lack of obvious human intervention. Me thinks preservation has nothing to do with it. Its Just a way of commercialising a natural attraction ruined to make a few dollars. Because of course it will become exactly like Wave Rock in WA. that we never bothered to visit because of the cost. I wonder if it will be forbidden to climb it.