Beach Camping WA; 23 of the best spots
The saying goes ‘West is Best’, and a lot of that stems from the coastline that we have in Western Australia, which is truly next level. You know what’s better than the best coast around though? The best beach camping WA that you can camp at!
There are hundreds and hundreds of different beach camping options in WA, and you won’t go wrong with most of them. However, there are a couple that stand head and shoulders above everything else, and that’s what this post is about; 23 of the best beach camping in WA.
We start off with camp sites on the South East of WA, and work our way around through the South West of WA, then the Coral Coast, Ningaloo Region and finally the Pilbara and Kimberley. It’s a huge state, and you won’t be ticking them all off in a hurry, but they are all absolutely worth a stay.
Duke of Orleans Caravan Park
Everyone knows about Esperance. It’s got some of the best beaches in the world, but the best parts of the coastline are not in Esperance itself, but a bit of a drive further out.
You’ll find the Duke of Orleans Caravan Park about 90km East of Esperance, tucked away in some of the nicest beaches in the country.
The caravan itself backs onto Duke of Orleans Bay, and if you have a 4WD there are more bays, beaches and nooks and crannies than you could explore in a week. Big Wharton and Little Wharton are spectacular, and the drive out to the Hammerhead will reward you with some of the best views around.
The Caravan Park is basically its own little community, with its own fuel and grocery store, fires permitted in season and powered and unpowered sites. We seriously rate this place.
- Amenities – The usual caravan park setup; hot showers, toilets, power (if you pay for it), washing machines etc.
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes, but in their stoves which you have to hire
- Cost – $30 – $40 per night (depending on power/peak/on peak) plus $10 per night for extra people.
- Suitable styles of camping – All types
- How to book – online on their website, or ring 9075 0033
Fitzgerald River National Park
For the whale lovers, there’s no better coastal camp in WA than St Mary Inlet. The entire Fitzgerald River National Park is one world class destination in itself, but being able to camp just back from a beach that hundreds of whales migrate past every year is nothing short of spectacular.
Roll out of bed in the morning and have a quick walk down to the beach to watch the whales jumping, or stroll across to Point Ann to watch them from on high. With the spectacular beaches of Bremer Bay in the backyard, and a huge array of wildflowers to enjoy in the national park you can’t go wrong.
That’s not it though. You get two for one here; the East side of the National Park is beautiful too, with Four Mile Camp being a short stroll to incredible beaches too.
Hopetoun is an amazing place, and there’s a heap of 4WD tracks and hiking trails to do in the surrounding area. The Fitzgerald River National Park is probably the most under-rated National Park in WA.
- Amenities – Drop toilets
- Dog friendly – No
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – $11 per adult, $7 per concession and $3 per child between 5 and 16. A National Park permit is also needed.
- Suitable styles of camping – Anything up to 4WD and off road van size. Yes, they are permitted in as long as the road is in good condition. Contact the ranger for up to date information
- How to book – No bookings; first come, first serve.
Bremer Bay
I’m honestly not sure that there are any better beaches in Western Australia than Bremer Bay. You’ll need a 4WD to get to all of the beach camp sites, but there are a huge number of amazing places to roll out your swag, or even to pull a camper trailer or caravan into.
The more popular camp sites include Reef Beach, Stream Beach, Doubtful Bay and House Beach. You need to be completely self sufficient to use these camp sites, and leave nothing but footprints; that means take all of your rubbish out with you! These are hot contenders for the best beach camping in WA.
- Amenities – None. You need to be 100% self sufficient, unless you are at House Beach which has a toilet
- Dog friendly – Yes, outside of the National Park
- Fire friendly – In season
- Cost – Free
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD only (or hiking/motorbikes)
- How to book – No booking possible.
East Bay Albany
Some of the beaches around Albany have international recognition for their beauty, and Little Beach is one of them. Turquoise water, white sand and some of the best scenery around means its no wonder people from all over flock to these great places.
However, just around the corner lies East Bay, which is a small camp ground that is hugely popular.
It is completely free thanks to the Shire of Albany but has no amenities. There is enough room for around 5 – 8 campers, but it really depends on the size of their rigs.
The beach is 4WD accessible, wide and small waves roll in throughout the day. It is a spectacular place to spend the day, or a couple of you snag a camping spot!
- Amenities – Drop toilet and rubbish bins
- Dog friendly – Yes, on a leash
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – Free
- Suitable styles of camping – Tents and camper trailers. Caravans are not permitted (despite the one in the photo!)
- How to book – First come first served.
Cosy Corner
Another truly amazing free camp on the South Coast is Cosy Corner, which is significantly bigger than East Bay. Located roughly half way between Denmark and Albany and big enough to take at least 30 groups of campers, its a very popular place to spend a few nights.
A short walk will have you on a beautiful beach with a tiny freshwater stream running out. The fishing is great, and exploring the nearby West Cape Howe National Park is a serious treat. Head to the top of Shelly Beach and watch the hang gliders and paragliders do their magic, or into Albany/Denmark to explore more.
- Amenities – Toilets, dump point, rubbish collection and picnic tables
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – Free
- Suitable styles of camping – All types of campers
- How to book – First come, first served
Sandy Cape
For many years, Sandy Cape has been king of the coastal camping near Perth. Located just north of Jurien Bay, or around 237km from Perth is a huge, shire run camp ground that caters for everyone.
There are a couple of main camp grounds with good access for all types of vehicles, or you can head north and south for quite a distance in a 4WD and find yourself a more private location.
On a busy weekend there are probably 200 campers out and about enjoying Sandy Cape, but its only really the main camp ground that seems to be extremely busy. With about 7km of coastline to camp on you can usually find a private spot near the many beaches, and kick back.
Sandy Cape is $20 per vehicle per night.
- Amenities – Toilets and rubbish bins in the main camp only
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes, in season
- Cost – $20 per site per night, plus $3 for extra adults and $2 for extra children between 3 and 16
- Suitable styles of camping – All types in the main camp. 4WD only north or south of that
- How to book – First come first served
Milligan Island
A bit further north of Sandy Cape lies Milligan Island, which is similar in many ways, just far less busy. The camp sites are designated, non bookable and all within a short walking distance to the beaches. You can drive your vehicle to a number of different locations, and onto several beaches.
- Amenities – Toilets, BBQ’s, picnic tables and shelters, rubbish bins and a defibrilator
- Dog friendly – Yes, on a lead
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – $20 per site, per night in cash only
- Suitable styles of camping – All types
- How to book – First come, first served
Cliff Head
37km south of Dongara, right on the coast lies Cliff Head in its North and south Camp grounds. There’s a heap of room, beach front views and its accessible for all types of vehicles.
The sunsets here are nothing short of amazing, and its a great place to pull up for an overnighter, or a few days. It now costs $20 per vehicle per night to camp, but its still well and truly worth it. There are toilets near the main camp ground, but no other amenities.
- Amenities – Toilets, rubbish collection and picnic tables with shelter
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes, in season
- Cost – $20 per vehicle, per night
- Suitable styles of camping – All types
- How to book – First come, first served
Little Bay, Horrocks
Horrocks is a little gem of a town that so many people don’t know about. At the northern end lies a beautiful beach called Little Bay, and there are a couple of camp sites that you can stay at.
You need a 4WD to get here as the sand can be quite soft, but you’ll be rewarded with beach front camping in a calm and quiet bay, amazing fishing and perfect sunsets every afternoon.
There is a toilet available, with no other amenities.
- Amenities – Drop toilet
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes, in season
- Cost – $15 per car per night for up to 5 nights
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD only
- How to book – First come, first served
Francois Peron National Park
The way the sun lights up the red sand at Francois Peron National Park is an experience we’ll never forget. You’ll find this amazing place north of Shark Bay and Monkey Mia, and in our opinion its the best camping around Denham by a country mile.
The national park has a huge range of camp sites, with some being 2WD accessible and the majority of them needing a 4WD.
- Amenities – Drop Toilets, Camp kitchens in some, picnic tables and shelter
- Dog friendly – No
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – $11 per adult per night. $7 concession and $3 per child between 5 and 15. You also need a national parks pass.
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD only. Camper trailers and some smaller vans can be taken to the tip but the track can be soft and rough
- How to book – No bookings possible. First come first served
Shelter Bay, Steep Point
If you want remote, beach front camping with some of the best fishing in the world you can’t go past Shelter Bay out at Steep Point. This calm bay is family friendly, and has about 20 camp sites scattered along the coastline.
You need a 4WD and plenty of fuel to get here, and to be prepared for average corrugations and occasionally a difficult sandy hill climb. The reward is well and truly worth it though, and thousands of people make their way out every year to enjoy it.
You need a national parks pass, to have booked sites online well in advance and there are a number of toilets set up for use. Bring everything else with you, so you are self contained and comfortable.
- Amenities – Drop Toilets
- Dog friendly – No
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – $11 per adult per night. $7 concession and $3 per child between 5 and 15. You also need a national parks pass.
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD only. Camper trailers are permitted. Caravans are not.
- How to book – On the DPAW website, well in advance as it books out super fast.
Dirk Hartog Island
Across the ditch from Steep Point lies Dirk Hartog Island, the most westerly point of Australia. The east coast is covered in incredible beaches like the below, and the west coast has huge cliffs and blow holes that feel like they would pick you up and send you flying into the air.
Dirk Hartog Island is one of our favourite locations in WA. Its stunning, remote, has very limited numbers and takes a fair bit of effort to get to.
You need to drive out to Steep Point with a booking on the barge, and on a good day it will take you across to the Island. It’s not cheap, but there is no where else in WA you can have a similar experience, and we think its well and truly worth it.
- Amenities – Toilets, showers and drinking water at the homestead. If camping in the National Park, zero amenities.
- Dog friendly – No
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $20 to $26.50 per adult per individual camp site, plus the barge transfer which is around $360 – $680 plus passengers and trailers.
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD or boat only. You can take trailers, up to a total length of 10.6 metres including the vehicle.
- How to book – On the Dirk Hartog Island website
Bush Bay
There’s some pretty amazing camping near Carnarvon, and Bush Bay is one of our favourites to go. It’s cheap, there’s plenty of room and the coastline is nothing short of incredible. At only 30km south of Carnarvon itself, its close enough to stay for some time with supplies not too far away.
- Amenities – A dump point, and that’s it
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $5.50 per adult per night. $4 for seniors
- Suitable styles of camping – All types, but it is a gravel road on the way in
- How to book – First come, first served
Warroora Station
The Ningaloo Reef is one of the most special places in the world, and we are hugely lucky to be able to camp along a massive portion of the coastline.
Warroora Station is one of the most popular camping locations along the Ningaloo Reef, and its not hard to see why. There are a range of camp sites you can stay at, including 14 Mile, Maggies, Sandy Point and plenty more.
You can actually drive right into Coral Bay from Warroora Station, and the beach access here is divine.
- Amenities – Dump points, and nothing more
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $8 per adult per night
- Suitable styles of camping – Most sites require a 4WD but you can get SUV’s into some (track condition dependent). Big vans are OK in many sites too
- How to book – Online on the DPAW site.
9 Mile Camp, Bruboodjoo
Roughly 25km north of Coral Bay lies another amazing camp site on the Ningaloo Reef, perhaps less well known than many of the others. It’s shire run, and despite a fairly narrow and sometimes rocky track in we saw a number of big busses, caravans and everything else in between. Bruboodjoo is a ripper of a spot.
- Amenities – Dump point and rubbish bins. No toilet facilities
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $10 per adult, per night
- Suitable styles of camping – Anything with some clearance. The track in is rocky and quite narrow in places
- How to book – First come, first served
Cape Range National Park
The most accessible camp sites on the Ningaloo Reef can be found within Cape Range National Park, and accessed via Exmouth.
You’ll need a national parks pass, but there are a huge number of camp sites that can be booked which are all accessible to any type of vehicle, and run by the DBCA (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions).
All sites have toilets, and generally some shelter and tables, but nothing more. Osprey Bay is one of the most popular camp sites, but you can camp at sites between Yardie Creek and Neds.
Please know that these camp sites are some of the most popular in WA, and you will need to book well in advance. In peak season they literally go within seconds of being released, in the middle of the night!
- Amenities – Drop toilets, camp kitchens
- Dog friendly – No
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – $11 per adult per night. $7 concession and $3 per child between 5 and 15. You also need a national parks pass.
- Suitable styles of camping – All types
- How to book – Online on the DPAW website, but know these sites are extremely popular in peak season and book out almost immediately at midnight.
40 Mile, Gnoorea
Moving around to the northern coast of Western Australia, there are some camp sites you’d be happy to kick back at for weeks at a time. 40 Mile Beach, or Gnoorea Point is a huge camping area roughly 65km West of Karratha that is popular for all types of vehicles.
There’s a well maintained gravel road on the way in, and you can camp near the beach, around Gnoorea Point or heading south along the mangroves for a huge distance. We really enjoyed our stay at 40 mile, backing onto the Mangroves and exploring the area.
- Amenities – Toilets, boat ramp and dump point. You can get drinking water on the way in at the gas plant
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $8 per adult per night.
- Suitable styles of camping – All types, but it is a gravel road on the way in
- How to book – Online
Cleaverville
One of our first camp sites on the Pilbara Coastline was Cleaverville, and we’ve been back many times. There’s plenty of room to camp, great fishing and the coastline is nothing short of stunning.
It’s only a 39km drive back into Karratha too, where you can top up with water and get any supplies that you need. There are no amenities (the toilets are meant for day use campers), except bins, so you need to be self sufficient.
- Amenities – Dump point and day use toilets
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $8 per adult per night, and free in the off season
- Suitable styles of camping – All types, but it is a gravel road in and some camp sites require a 4WD
- How to book – First come, first served
Cossack
If you are chasing quiet, beach front camping you can’t go wrong with Settler Beach at Cossack. There are only 4 camp sites, and they need to be booked online a long time in advance, but its an incredible place to spend a couple of nights.
- Amenities – None, and you must contain grey water
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – $15 per couple per night
- Suitable styles of camping – All types, up to a large bus size
- How to book – Book online at cossack.org.au
Barn Hill Station
There’s a lot of great places to camp between Port Hedland and Broome, and we’ve done most of them. Barn Hill Station was one of our favourite destinations in this area, and we’d head back in a heartbeat.
Located on some of the best coastline around, its got fantastic beach walks, amazing facilities for the kids, rock pools, great diving and fishing and incredible views.
The amenities are older, and a bit rustic, with camp sites not overly well designated but we absolutely rate it.
- Amenities – Full caravan park facilities
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – No
- Cost – $30 per night for an unpowered site. $38 for a powered site. Kids are $4 per night
- Suitable styles of camping – All types, although the road in is sandy/gravel
- How to book – No bookings possible. First come first served.
Pender Bay
It seems the further north you go, the better the camp sites get, and Pender Bay on Cape Leveque is probably the most picturesque camp site we’ve ever had the privilege of enjoying. With private, well spaced camp sites on the red cliffs overlooking amazing beaches, you really can’t get any better.
This was our favourite camp site on Cape Leveque, and that’s a pretty big call as the entire area is nothing short of incredible.
- Amenities – Toilets and showers at the entrance. You must be self sufficient at camp
- Dog friendly – No
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $20 per person per night
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD only, and suitable for large caravans
- How to book – Ring them on 0429 845 707
James Price Point
If you want amazing views for $0 per night, James Price Point is the place to go. The road in is a bit rough, but its a camp site we won’t forget for a long time. Camp right on top of the big red cliffs, or at the bottom, or on the beach if you are prepared to let your tyres down.
The scenery around James Price Point is world class, and its completely worth the effort to get there.
- Amenities – Nothing. You need to be 100% self sufficient
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – Free!
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD only, although we did see some 2WD vehicles go in but the road is rough as
- How to book – No bookings, and almost an endless amount of room
Honeymoon Bay
Last, but not least lies a remote beach off the Gibb River Road, right at the top of Western Australia. Honeymoon Bay is raved about by many, and as of right now we haven’t managed to get there, but we will, one day!
- Amenities – Toilets and showers
- Dog friendly – Yes
- Fire friendly – Yes
- Cost – $20 per person per night
- Suitable styles of camping – 4WD only, with some full size vans suitable
- How to book – Ring 9161 4378
