Cactus Beach, Point Sinclair

Just past the Penong Hotel is a left turn just before the primary school. A 20 minute drive on unsealed but easily manageable road and you reach the camp site with Point Sinclair a few minutes further. There's over 20-30 pitches around the 860 h camp site and although there's no electricity the loos are fine and there's a central 'A Frame' with a couple of showers and sinks to wash dishes and clothes. There's no connectivity unless you have Telstra (as per 2018) and even then you have to go to the Seat to get it. Not for the precious, most campers are surfers from all parts of the world but you don't have to be a surfer to enjoy Cactus - but you do have to be able to turn off. Oh...and you can't book, you just have to turn up and hope there's somewhere free. If not, there's a caravan park in Penong.

History (copied from information available at the camp site)

"The Point Sinclair area has a long history of human habitation. The Wirangu Aboriginal people lived here for thousands of years and their middens are still visible near Caves. The area was explored by the Dutch in the 1600s and Matthew Flinders and Nicholas Baudin sailed past the area in 1802. Edward John Eyre walked through here in 1840 on his way to Western Australia.

"Pioneering South Australian surfer Wayne Dale brought film-maker and original owner Paul Witzig here in 1969. At that stage Cactus was only known to a few surfers and there was no facilities. Living conditions became 'feral' and the fragile environment was being damaged. In 1976 Coastal Protection officer and surfer Jeff Edwards drew up the plans on which the current camp is based. Ron Gates has been owner manager since 1986."

Surfing Reserve

In 2012 the area was declared a National Surfing Reserve because it is a place considered sacred by the national surfing community and the bay provides three breaks, Cactus (left and right), Castles (left) and Caves (right). The areas is also protected under the South Australian Government Heritage Agreement as a Coastal Protection Reserve.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome but should be on a lead and under owner control. However, you'll often see a dog on the beach waiting for master to come in from the surf.

Water

Bore water is available for washing and showering but you need to bring your own drinking water.

Rubbish

Rubbish bins are emptied daily.

Attractions

If you're not a surfer there's a beach for lazing around, cliffs to walk on and fish from and Long Beach, north of the camp site is a long sweeping sandy beach of a number of Ks. Magnificent sun sets from the Seat over looking the surf.

Penong

The local town Penong has everything you might need...a pub, a shop and a garage. Beware the speed trap, though...it's 50 kms through the village!

Camp Fees

As per Christmas 2018 camping is $15 per person per night with kids 5 to 15 just $5. Cash only!