Lawrie Park
- Dogs
- Welcome
- Size cap
- No cap
- Where
- Nelshaby, SA
- Policy checked
- 2026-06-11
What visitors mention
Pet policy
Yes. Lawrie Park in Nelshaby, SA, allows dogs to stay overnight, but primarily in a self-contained camping capacity. Based on its status as a free/low-cost campsite for self-contained RVs, caravaners, and campers: - Accommodation Type: Dogs are permitted in the designated self-contained camping area, usually a grass field. - Pet Policy & Rules: Dogs must be kept on a lead. - Fees: Typically free for camping, though travelers should check. - Accommodation Restrictions: As it is a bush/freedom camp, there are no "rooms" or "cabins" in the traditional sense, so pets stay in your own vehicle, tent
Lawrie Park is a free camping and rest area on Flinders View Drive in Nelshaby, in the Southern Flinders Ranges about 7 to 8 kilometres from Port Pirie, South Australia. It is a simple, no-cost base for self-contained travellers, and the draw for dog owners is that dogs are explicitly permitted overnight, on a lead.
Dogs at Lawrie Park
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead during your stay, a rule listed on camping directories for the site. There are no cabins or rooms: your dog stays in your own van, motorhome or setup. Bring your own drinking water for both of you, since there is no dedicated pet water station, and leash up near other campers and on the adjoining reserve trail. As a free site with no booking system, it is first in best dressed.
Max: A lead rule at a free camp is there for a reason. Bush camps mean wildlife, stock and other dogs in close quarters, so bring tie-out gear and do not assume the grass is fenced.
The vibe
The park is listed as a 48-hour RV rest area for self-contained vehicles, with grassed space for caravans and camper trailers, flushing toilets, a camp kitchen, undercover BBQs and fire pits. Sunset views over the ranges and the Spencer Gulf beyond are the reason people stop, and phone reception is reasonable. It suits self-sufficient travellers who want a free overnight base with the dog rather than a resort stay.
Getting there and parking
Nelshaby sits off the Augusta Highway side of the Southern Flinders foothills, about 10 to 15 minutes' drive northeast of Port Pirie. Access is on standard roads suitable for caravans. Fires are restricted to the provided fire pits and are banned during the fire danger season, so check the seasonal notices.
Close by with the dogs
The camp sits at the start of the Nelshaby Reserve story walking trail, a gentle 2.3-kilometre loop around an 1879 reservoir with Spencer Gulf views, where dogs on lead are welcome. In Port Pirie, the Frank Green Park dog exercise area on Halliday Street offers a fenced off-leash run with separate large and small dog areas. If you need a powered or cabin option instead, the Travelway Motel and Hillsview Cabins and Caravan Park in Port Pirie are the closest alternatives.
See more dog friendly stays in SA or plan a trip around Nelshaby with your dog.
Policy verified 11 June 2026 Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
