Set in the middle of the beautiful Australian outback, 12km from Broken Hill, is the Living Desert State Park, a unique 2400 ha reserve.
The park includes a flora and fauna sanctuary, a sculpture site (which is incredible at sunset!) and many hiking trails.
It is possible to camp within the park, at the Starview Primitive Campground. You can explore the park during the day and then, after the sun has set, get an epic view of the milky way, far away from light pollution.
The campsite is definitely not “glamping”, but after spending three years in campsites all over Australia, we don’t think it should be named “primitive” either.
There are well-maintained amenities such as bathrooms (with flushing toilets, sinks and hot showers - hardly primitive!), a large shelter (great for shade during
summer as it gets incredibly hot out here) with free electric BBQs, picnic tables and bins.
There are 15 unpowered van sites that are separated by bushes for a bit of privacy, as well as an area for tents.
There is only very patchy mobile reception, and no pets or campfires are allowed, but there are recliners where you can relax and enjoy the view of the stars.
There is also a clearly marked spot which is best for viewing the spectacular outback sunsets and sunrises.
It's cold, even in summer, so bring a sleeping bag when you are looking at the stars!
The road in is fully sealed, so accessible for all vehicles.
An one-off entry fee covering your whole stay at the campsite is required to enter the Living Desert, payable at the pay bay (Tap'n'Go only), located at the entrance to the park:
Adult - $10
Concession (pensioners, students, senior cards, groups) - $7
Child (under 5 years) - free
Family with children - $22
Additional camping fees apply and need to be paid at the here prior to arrival:
Adult (age 16+) - $12 per night
Child (age 6-15) - $5 per night
Child (under 5 years) - free
Keep in mind that there aren’t any supplies available in the park, so you will need to bring all the food, water and gear that you’ll need for your stay, although it is a short drive back into Broken Hill if you forgot anything.
One negative was that we couldn't find a walking track to get us up to the sculptures to watch the sunset. The road is closed to pedestrians and as there is no phone reception out there, we couldn't look for walking maps. As we are in a campervan, this meant packing everything up to drive up to the sculptures, which was really frustrating.
It would be great to have a detailed map in the shelter area, showing all the hikes, and including one from the camp directly to the sculptures.
The Starview Primitive Campground in Broken Hill is an incredible place to camp for nature lovers, stargazers, and anyone who wants to disconnect and get away from it all in the great Australian outback.