Free camp at Dry Creek on the Glenelg River
Dry Creek is a small settlement on the bank of the Glenelg River near Donovans, just inside the South Australian side of the SA/Victorian border.
The edge of the river is lined with shacks and small tin boat houses with a boat ramp and small jetty in the middle. It’s a good fishing spot, ideal for launching a boat or canoe and an great place for a swim if it’s a hot day.
Just back from the river is the Dry Creek Campground, a free camping area that has a shelter, barbecue and flushable toilets.
The Dry Creek camping area is the grass that’s spread along the side of the track leading down to the Glenelg River. Campers can set up in a long row, between the track and a steep forest covered hill behind the grass.
It’s a great spot for a free night of camping that’s close to plenty of other decent places.
A short drive down the road is Donovans, a beautiful riverside settlement that’s perfect for a picnic and also great for swimming, it has a much larger jetty to fish from than the plastic one at Dry Creek. Past Donovans at the Glenelg river mouth is Nelson with stunning beaches, heading the other direction from Dry Creek on the river is Princess Margaret Rose Cave and plenty of other river side picnic areas to call into.
Mount Gambier and the Blue Lake, Mount Shank, Little Blue Lake, Ewens Ponds, Piccaninnie Ponds and Port MacDonnell are all with-in a 30 minutes or so drive.
Dry Creek Campground Facilities
There are flushable toilets between the camping area and the river.
Further past the toilets from the river is a shelter with a barbecue and a few small sitting areas can be found around the place.
For a shower, drive (or swim) over to Donovans Landing.
Fires are not permitted all year round.
Getting to Dry Creek
From Nelson, head towards South Australia in the direction of Mount Gambier. Right at the SA border, turn right at Border Road and follow it to Donovans.
The road changes name at Donovans from Border Road to Dry Creek Road, follow this (the continuation of the same road) and just under 3 kms past Donovans is the Dry Creek turn off on your right, the river and camp ground is a short distance later at the end of the road/track.
When coming from Mount Gambier, head for Nelson and take the left turn for Donovans. Head past Donovans until you reach the Dry Creek turn off on your right.