Is there anything better than glamour camping? You get the peace and tranquility of nature without having to pitch a tent or endure your air mattress deflating in the middle of the night. And Hillocks Drive on the Yorke Peninsula is the perfect spot for glamping it up. At this place of beach bliss, native scrub and rugged beauty, you can stay at an ‘Ocean Pod’ with comfy beds, ensuite and kitchen.

We travelled to Hillocks Drive to explore the area and stay overnight. The two pods are perched on the hilltop with spectacular views of the coastline. Looking out into the ocean you can see Kangaroo Island and the Althorpes Islands in the distance.

“This is an amazingly pristine part of the world’ says Pam Bennett, manager at Hillocks Drive.

She says the pods were designed with a strong focus on protecting the biodiversity of the area. For example, they have a small eco footprint, using solar and wind power for most of their energy.

This conservation focus helps wildlife and humans to happily co-exist. There are many native animals around including hooded plovers, kangaroos and cute pygmy possums. In winter, you may be lucky enough to see southern right whales cruising by on the way to their breeding grounds.

At the beach, we went for a walk along the squishy sand with the water lapping at our feet. You can also swim, fish, or try skimboarding, which is similar to surfing but uses a smaller board with no fins. From the shore you skim out into the water and glide back on a wave.

Further down the beach is a large rockpool. Here you can admire starfish and rare, floating coral in the clear water. And people can swim and snorkel in this secluded, natural pool.

In the evening we watched the pinky, orange colours of the sun setting behind Hillocks Point. It was a cool night so I was glad to be inside the cosy pod. Later, I drifted off to sleep to the sound of the waves.

This is a place to swim, play and breathe the fresh, ocean air. So if you need a break from your everyday routine, immerse yourself in nature and camp in comfort at Hillocks Ocean Pod.

For more information go to: http://www.hillocksdrive.com

By Carolyn J Wild