Rocky Paddock Campground will be closed for the remainder of the 2026 camping season to enable urgent safety works.
All bookings will receive an auto notification via email when your cancellation/refund is processed. Please be patient as we work through the list, there is no need to call.
Rocky Paddock Campground will be closed for the remainder of the 2026 camping season due to urgent safety works.
The plantation pine trees within the campground are now older than 95 years old and increasingly vulnerable to severe weather. By comparison, most plantation pine in the Mount Lofty Ranges is under 40 years of age. Recent tree failures have created an unpredictable safety risk to visitors.
Following assessment, ForestrySA has made the decision to remove the ageing trees and undertake a full redevelopment of the site to ensure it can be safely enjoyed into the future.
What this means for your booking:
โข Your booking at Rocky Paddock will be cancelled and refunded within 72 hours (from 24/6/2026)
โข We encourage you to explore our other campsites at the ForestrySA website,ย the sites within National Parksย or via the Hip Camp website
We understand this may be disappointing and appreciate your understanding as we prioritise visitor safety.
Rocky Paddock has been a much-loved camping destination for generations, and we are committed to restoring it as an improved, accessible and sustainable site for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is ForestrySA closing Rocky Paddock now?
A: The plantation pine trees are now older than 95 years old and have become increasingly unstable. Recent weather events have resulted in tree failures, creating an unacceptable and unpredictable safety risk. By comparison, most plantation pine in the Mount Lofty Ranges is under 40 years of age.
Q: Is the campground being closed permanently?
A: No. The site is being closed for the remainder of the 2026 season to enable safety works and redevelopment. ForestrySA is committed to reopening it as an improved campground.
Q: Why remove all the trees instead of just the dangerous ones?
A: The plantation is over-mature as a whole and subject to widespread failure risk. Targeted removal would not adequately reduce the safety risk across the site.
Q: What will happen to the trees once they are removed?
A: The timber will be processed through local sawmills and manufacturing industries. It will be used for structural timber, pallets that support the transport of goods, and a range of agricultural and service applications.
Q: Is this environmentally responsible?
A: This is a sustainable plantation resource being harvested at the end of its lifecycle. The site will be replanted, improving long-term resilience and environmental outcomes.
Q: Will the campground lose its character?
A: The redevelopment will be designed to retain and enhance the natural setting, with improved layout, accessibility and vegetation planning to create a better long-term visitor experience.
Q: Can I still access the site during works?
A: The campground will be closed to the public due to safety risks associated with tree removal and construction activities.
Q: When will the campground reopen?
A: Reopening will occur after the works and site establishment are complete. Timing will depend on construction, safety and planting outcomes.
Q: What happens to my booking?
A: All bookings will be automatically refunded within 72 hours. School groups will be contacted directly to arrange alternative sites.
