10 Off The Beaten Track Camping Destinations

Your Autumn nature escape has been taking on shape, colour, and urgency in the back of your mind for months. And now that the COVID-19 wall is starting to come down you can start planning that next family adventure in earnest – and Nature Play WA is here to help.

From May 18 Western Australians will be able to travel between some regions. You can see the detail of where you can travel, including a map of the regions, here. For people in the Perth and Peel regions it means we can visit the South West, the Wheatbelt and the Great Southern.

And what a great time for that to happen. Autumn, or Djeran in the Noongar seasons (April/May), is arguably the best time of the year for getting out into nature. The cooler weather is more comfortable and the new season rains are making the plants sing and the animals more active during the day. There is simply no better time to reap the physical and mental health benefits of getting outdoors in nature.

And here at Nature Play WA we want to encourage WA families to take this re-opening of intrastate travel (albeit limited) as an opportunity to explore new places in the regions. Rather than all of us flocking to the same spots, let’s expand our horizons, take the road less travelled, and discover a new favourite spot where we can enjoy nature and take part in outdoor recreation activities like trail walking, mountain biking, kayaking and more.

Not only will that reduce the toll on the tourism hotspots and lessen the likelihood of new restrictions being brought into play in response to overcrowding, but it is also a great incentive to find that new favourite spot and spread the love to towns that don’t always see the full benefit of tourism.

To get you started we’ve picked ten off the beaten track camping spots that are great examples of WA’s amazing outdoors. But that is just the start. You can find hundreds of fantastic places to stay and be the launch pad for your regional adventure.

A few tips

Look beyond the tourism ‘hot spots’
Be considerate of locals and be sure to social distancing guidelines
Make sure you book before you go
Be patient when booking (spaces at most sites are limited)
Do your research and try these great websites to find your next favourite spot:

https://www.caravanwa.com.au/parks/
https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park-stay
https://youcamp.com/
https://farmstaycampingaustralia.com.au/

Our picks to get you started

PERTH

Lake Leschenaultia (Chidlow)

A great campsite close to the city with a wide range of activities for families. Lake Leschenaultia Campground is located int eh Leschenaultia Conservation Park and is within a 30 minute drive of three of Perth’s prize areas for bushwalking, mountain biking and nature immersion. See more info at the Shire of Mundaring website.

Distance from Perth – 49km
Facilities
- Powered sites
- Fire pits (seasonal use)
- Gas BBQs
- Camp Kitchen
- Sandy beaches
- Toilets

Notes
- Activities
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Swimming
  - Mountain biking
  - Bushwalking
  - Canoeing
  - Birdwatching
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Mundaring State Forest
  - John Forest National Park
  - Avon Valley National Park

Bald Hill Campground (Moondyne)

A beautiful bush campsite close to Perth. A slightly challenging site for families with young children (some steep walks close to camp) but a great place to feel the freedom of bush camping and near a favourite hideout of the infamous colonial bushranger Moondyne Joe. There are no bookings at this site. See more info at the Explore Parks website.

Distance from Perth – 72km
Facilities
- Fire pits (seasonal use)
- Picnic tables
- Camp Kitchen
- Sandy beaches
- Toilets
Notes
- Activities
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Bushwalking
  - Birdwatching
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Avon Valley National Park

PEEL

Lake Navarino Holiday Park (Waroona)

Nestled into jarrah forest a short drive (1 hour) from Perth, Lake Navarino is a great spot to unwind as a family. For now, the park only has its caravan facilities open, but usually has tent camping, glamping, cottages and motel style units. See more info at the Lake Navarino website.

Distance from Perth – 72km
Facilities
- Powered caravan sites
- Fire pits (seasonal use)
- BBQ
- Picnic tables
- Dogs allowed
- Toilets
Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Caravan camping (fees payable)
  - White water rafting
  - Mountain biking
  - Horse riding
  - Bushwalking
  - Birdwatching
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Waroona Dam
  - Wineries
  - Langford Riding Farm
  - Trees Adventure – Lane Poole Park
  - Nanga Brook

Nanga Mill (Dwellingup)

Nanga Mill Campsite is one of a suite of camping options in the beautiful Lane Pool Reserve just out of Dwellingup. It is great entry level camping with access to a great range of recreational activities. See more info at the Explore Parks website.

Distance from Perth – 121km
Facilities
- Fire pits (seasonal use)
- Picnic tables
- Dogs allowed
- Toilets

Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Kayaking
  - Mountain biking
  - Bushwalking
  - Fishing
  - Birdwatching
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Chudditch Trail
  - Nanga Brook Walk Trail
  - King Jarrah Walk Trail
  - Trees Adventure – Lane Poole Park

SOUTHWEST

Honeymoon Pool, Collie

Collie is one of WA’s best kept secrets when it comes to outdoor recreation and camping. The hills, river, and forest of Wellington National Park are truly beautiful. With three separate camping areas, this is a great spot to take the family and connect with nature. More info at the Explore Parks website.

Distance from Perth – 121km
Facilities
- Fire pits (seasonal use)
- Picnic tables
- BBQs
- Toilets

Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Kayaking
  - Mountain biking
  - Bushwalking
  - Fishing
  - Bird watching
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Wellington Dam
  - Collie township
  - Black Diamond Lake
  - Wellington State Forest

Kambarang – Bush Camping area (near Donnybrook)

Privately managed camping area with 10km of mountain bike trails. The site has tent and caravan camping options, great amenities and range of activities and courses available. See more info at the You Camp website .

Distance from Perth – 208km
Facilities
- Fire pits (seasonal use)
- Picnic tables
- BBQs
- Free firewood
- Shower
- Toilets
- Mountain bike hire
Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Mountain biking
  - Bushwalking
  - Bicycle maintenance course
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Mumbalup
  - Wilga State Forest
  - Donnybrook

WHEATBELT

Congelin Campground, Dryandra Woodland (Williams)

The Congelin Campground is a great spot for campers in the amazing Dryandra Woodland. The facilities are basic, but the Woodlands are home to some amazing wildlife including the bilby and quenda, and a great place to soak up a unique WA landscape. Find more info at the Explore Parks website.

Distance from Perth – 208km
Facilities
- Fire pits (seasonal use)
- Picnic tables
- BBQs
- Free firewood
- Toilets

Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Nature emersion
  - Bushwalking
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Gnaala Mia Nocturnal Wildlife Experience
  - Lol Gray State Forest

Granite Woodlands and Discovery Trail (Hyden – Norseman)

This isn’t a campground, but it is a must do/see in the Wheatbelt. A two-day self-drive experience that starts at Wave Rock in Hyden and ends in Norseman, with a night at the Breakaways Campsite and 16 interpretative sites along the way that introduce you to the ecology, geology and heritage of this amazing area. See more info at the Wheatbelt Tourism website.

Distance from Perth – 297km (Wave Rock), 302km on the trail
Facilities
- Interpretive sites
- Camping facilities
Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Nature emersion
  - Bushwalking
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Wave Rock
  - Hyden and Norseman

GREAT SOUTHERN

Coalmine Beach Holiday Park, Walpole

Be surrounded by five National Parks and only meters from the calm waters of the Nornalup Inlet. This is a great place to explore the South Coast. See more info at the Coalmine Beach website.

Distance from Perth – 415km
Facilities
- Tent and caravan sites
- Chalets
- Cabins
- BBQ area
- Campers kitchen
- Outdoor cinema
Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Nature emersion
  - Bushwalking
  - Mountain biking
  - Kayaking
  - Fishing
  - Bird watching
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
  - Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk
  - Walpole township
  - Bibbulmun Track
  - Mundabiddi Track

Cosy Corner (Albany)

Quintessential WA beachside camping. Protected by sand dunes and coastal peppermint trees, this campground is simple but a treat for those looking for the Storm Boy experience. More info at the Explore Parks website.

Distance from Perth – 438km
Facilities
- Toilet
- 2WD access
Notes
- Activities (check availability with park)
  - Camping (fees payable)
  - Nature emersion
  - Bushwalking
  - Fishing
- Nearby (within 30 mins drive)
- Shelley Beach
- The Gap
- Torndirrup National Park

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE

Download our 10 OFF THE BEATEN TRACK CAMPING DESTINATIONS Resource, and be sure to share your photos and videos of your adventures to our Facebook or Instagram, using the hashtags #natureplaywa #natureasmedicine

Be sure to keep up to date with information about COVID-19 at the official Australian government website – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert and the Western Australian government website – Coronavirus: COVID-19

10 Off The Beaten Track Camping Destinations