The Mid North region of South Australia has particularly eye catching views in spring, mainly due to it being Canola season. Driving through the region your eyes are assaulted with the most brilliant colours and the whole area looks like it’s been draped in a patchwork quilt of the brightest greens, yellows and purples, thanks to the Salvation Jane growing. As you drive along there are plenty of old stone ruins, bridges and farm houses to see.

This is an area we passed through on our way to the Flinders Ranges and being in no particular hurry we decided to try a stay at a free camp in the town of Yackamoorundie. I’ve always remembered this town as being called Yacka but that was an abbreviation of the Ngadjuri word for the location and they are now referring to it by the full name Yackamoorundie – glad to hear that!

The town which sits on the Broughton River was proclaimed in 1869 and has quite a few of the original buildings to see in the small town. We stayed a night at the camp ground which is next to a green park with a playground for kids and dotted with some very pretty mosaic tiled picnic tables and benches. The mosaic project was created by residents of Yackamoorundie and was funded by Country Arts SA, Northern Areas Council, the Community Development board, the craft association and Yackamoorundie Red Cross. There is also a covered BBQ area to use in the park.

To stay at the campground cost $15 for 1 of 8 powered sites and use of a toilet and shower, there are rubbish bins and there are a pair of converted rainwater tank toilets at the park too. To enter the locked gate you have to pick up a key from the local craft shop which is open from 11am to 4pm Fridays to Sundays. Outside of these times there are phone numbers to call and you are given a mud map of which house to return the key to the next day. There is a $10 refundable deposit for the key. The tip here is to bring a long extension cord and you can hook into power while still being away from other travellers. There is a spot where campfires can be lit in season, dogs on leash are ok and if you stay 6 nights you get the 7^th night for free!

While you’re in the craft shop you can have a browse and buy something local and also pick up a brochure for an historic walk about town. Amongst the historic buildings are the garage which opened in 1925 and was the Holden dealership in town, the Institute building built in 1875, and a store built in 1878.

This camp is ok for an overnight stop but I wouldn’t go out of my way to stay there, it’s clean, feels safe and has decent enough amenities. The nice surprise was all the mosaic tiled tables depicting common scenes of the area, which are a real credit to the community.Happy travels

Glenys