Kingoonya
Kingoonya likes to say they're in the middle of "somewhere", a remote town with big character. The town boasts a hotel and caravan park, along with full Telstra coverage and Wi-Fi.
The Kingoonya Hotel was built in 1936 and has a long history of association with the Trans-Continental Railway. It is also a third-generation family-run hotel, with John & Julie Brett being the current licensee. Make sure you pop in and say g'day for a feed and a cold drink. If you happen to be around for Easter you can't miss their annual pink cricket match for the McGrath foundation! In 2023 they raised $13,276.10, while having an absolute hoot.
If you're looking for somewhere to camp for a few nights, Kingoonya Caravan Park offers powered and unpowered sites.
Kingoonya is also the northern gateway to the Gawler Ranges National Park. Whether you're looking for sightseeing, 4wding or even a chance to enjoy a remote bush camping experience, you'll want to have Gawler Ranges National Park on your list! The Gawler Ranges National Park is famous for its stunning Organ Pipes, a natural wonder that was formed over 1500 million years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions. For those people travelling with a drone, you won't want to miss the birds eye view of this incredible work of Mother Nature.
North of Kingoonya, you'll also find Lake GairdÂner, Australia’s third-largest salt lake. In some parts of the lake, the salt layÂer can be up to one meter thick! If you're lucky, you may get to see Lake Gairdner while it's dry, experiencing the glistening salt flats. Unlike Lake Eyre, Lake Gairdner isn’t fed from a river system, it’s purely surface water only.
Travelling from Adelaide, you’ll find Kingoonya 43km from Stuart Highway at Glendambo. Coming from Coober Pedy? Turn onto Gosses Road to save about 100km. On the way from Ceduna to Kingoonya, you’ll travel the road via Wirrulla, passing through some beautiful country and the Gawler Ranges. Or, when you’re finished doing Googs Track (a fantastic 4WD adventure), turn right to find the charming outback town.
The railway line is ideal for trainspotters and passes through town before it diverges to head north and toward Western Australia.
