Camping Near Perth; the perfect weekend locations

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7 of the best camping spots near Perth

Looking for a great Campsite near Perth? Here’s 7 that are between 3 – 5 hours

60 of the best camp sites near Perth

I’ve done a lot of camping over the years, and often driven hundreds of kilometers away to get to the destination. However, Perth has plenty of camp sites that are under a 3 hours drive, meaning that you can easily get away with a weekend without having to pack everything and the kitchen sink.

Regardless of what you want to do, there are a lot of places that you can spend a few days to relax! I know a lot of people want to know more about Camping Near Perth, which is where this post comes in. If you have any locations that you would like to share please leave a comment below, and I will add them!

Camping on the Coast near Perth

Wilbinga

EDIT: Technically you are not allowed to camp at Wilbinga.

Wilbinga is probably the closest camping spot to Perth, on the beach. You can get there in less than 40 minutes, and there is a variety of camping spots ranging from right on the beach, behind a few dunes or off some of the tracks. There are a number of camping spots that are enclosed by rocky formations that stick out, meaning you will never have four wheel drives going passed on the beach.

Guilderton

Guilderton, or Moore River is a very popular camping location. There is a Caravan Park which you can camp at, and I wouldn’t advise camping outside of this in the area, or you risk a fine from the ranger. Alternatively, you can camp at Moore River Ranch, which is spectacular. Moore River has some good fishing, both in the river and where the river meets the ocean.

There is plenty of four wheel driving on the beach and through various tracks too. Guilderton gets very busy during peak times; it’s not the best place to go for some peace and quiet! To drive to Guilderton, it only takes about an hour. Of course, if you want you can drive from Wilbinga along the beach.

Ledge Point

Ledge Point is a small town just south of Lancelin. As with Guilderton, you cannot legally camp outside of the Ledge Point caravan park without risking a fine from the ranger. 

You can drive south from Lancelin and get near Ledge Point, but they have blocked it off with rocks right near Ledge Point.  Ledge Point has some good fishing, plenty of four wheel driving and is well known for the many shipwrecks that you can dive on.

Lancelin

Lancelin is one of the more popular places to visit if you own a four wheel drive. Again, you can only camp at one of the Caravan Parks. Gone are the days where you could camp legally along the beach towards Wedge Island; it’s all been banned.

Wedge Island

There have been a number of changes to this great location. Please read Changes to Wedge Island for more information. In essence though, you are no longer allowed to camp in the area. Wedge Island is a great place just north of Lancelin. Just recently the inland track has been closed by the defence force. You are allowed to drive to Wedge Island on the beach when the firing range is not in action, but otherwise you must take the track from the new Indian Ocean Drive.

Wedge Island has a number of shacks that were built by residents from Lancelin, who visit them on weekends to relax. It has great fishing and snorkelling, and a lot of people take their boats there. Off road motorbikes used to be allowed at Wedge Island, but have been banned due to the high number of serious accidents involving them. The ranger now issues on the spot fines if you are driving one around!

Grey

Grey is similar to Wedge Island in many ways. Again, there are many shacks that have been built, which people live in from time to time. To get to Grey, you simply drive north of Wedge Island along the beach or the inland tracks. Please note, camping is not technically permitted here; its only those who have shacks that are allowed to stay in the area.

Cervantes

Cervantes is a great little coastal town, which is well known for its Stromatolites and Pinnacles. You are restricted to camping at the Caravan Park here though, as beach camping has been banned.

Sandy Cape

This is one of my favourite destinations, run by a caretaker right on the beach. The fishing is fantastic, the beaches are great and there are plenty of 4WD tracks in the area.

Martin’s Tank

Martin’s Tank is located near Preston Beach, some 110km south of Perth. It is right on the bank of Lake Yalgorup (which has varying water levels depending on the seasons). It has a camp kitchen, gas BBQ’s, dining & picnic tables, and 30 individual camp sites. 9 of these will suit caravans or camper trailers, and 4 sites are set up for ‘group’ camping.

Camp fires are permitted in season, and generators are allowed too (except in the small tent sites). The area is popular for bush walks, bird viewing, easy access to Preston beach and be sure to check out the Thrombolites.

Belvidere

If you are looking for a quiet camp site not too far away from Perth that has it all, I’d highly recommend Belvidere. This is located in between Leschenault Inlet and Belvidere Beach, and is located in the trees. Fire wood is provided (and fires are allowed in between 6PM and 10AM during the fire season).

You can drive onto Belvidere Beach, or head north to Buffallo Beach, and even continue further on to Binningup. There are two sets of toilets, a number of different sized sites that would suit caravans and the camp sites are well spread apart. Pets are not permitted. The wildlife is great here, ranging from kangaroos through to a whole range of birds.

The Cut

The cut is located right on the Leschenault Peninsular, where the inlet meets the ocean. Access to the cut is only via boat or walking (and I believe you can bike ride there too!). There are toilets, picnic and BBQ facilities. Bird watching, fishing and crabbing are popular here.

White Hills

White Hills is a beach located south of Perth, just passed the Mandurah Cut. From Perth, it takes around an hour to get to the beach. You are not allowed to camp too close to any town ships, or in the dunes, but a lot of people still camp there. White Hills has some good fishing and diving, and is a very popular destination for a day trip.

Camping Inland near Perth

Avon Valley National Park

Avon Valley National Park has a number of camping spots throughout it. The Avon Valley has a number of four wheel drive tracks, which are fun to play around in. You can camp at Bald Hill, Drummonds, the Valley or the Homestead.

Walyunga National Park

Walyunga National Park is like a cross between Serpentine and Dwellingup; its well worth a stay for a few nights, or just a day trip!

Farmstay in Jarrahdale

If you are looking for a cheap camp site very close to Perth, this might be it. For only $10 per night (and children are free) you can stay on a private property just out of Jarrahdale, enjoying the seclusion amongst the Jarrah trees.

Mundaring Powerlines Track

The Mundaring Powerlines Track is located about 45 minutes east of Perth, and takes about 5 hours to complete. People will camp on (or slightly off) the track from time to time.

It is not really the ideal camping location though, because people go through the track at all times of the day (night runs are not uncommon on the weekend). However, if you want to spend a few days on the track then it is worth camping over. See the Mundaring Powerlines Track for more information.

Waroona

Waroona Dam is a popular place to camp, and it is only a good hour’s drive from Perth. You have to pay to camp around the Dam, but it is worth it. The dam is primarily used for water skiing, so if you have a boat it is a great place to go.

However, be prepared to be woken at the crack of dawn to a V8 ski boat warming up! The dam is fresh water, and is great to swim in. Waroona Dam is also very popular for fishing – fresh water fish are regularly caught, ranging from Red Fin Perch through to trout.

Wedge Tailed Eagle Retreat

Located just out of Boyup Brook is a quiet farmstay that will take you into another world. The farm is home to a huge variety of animals that you can get up and close to. Fishing is great in the Blackwood river, and you can catch yabbies in the local dam. Camping fees are $20 per night.

Logue Brook Dam

Logue Brook Dam is very similar to Waroona, but it takes a bit longer to get there. A lot of people camp around Logue Brook Dam and water ski all day long. It is quite a nice dam, and is well worth a look.

Dwellingup

Dwellingup is one of my favourite camping locations near Perth. In fact, it’s only an hour’s drive from the city. Dwellingup has become that popular today that you have to book most of the sites (which is handy given that it is packed over any long weekend!). There are quite a few camping grounds within the national park, and you pay a small fee to stay there.

Most camp sites have a drop toilet, and are within a few hundred metres of the river. Dwellingup is well known for canoeing down the rapids, four wheel driving, Downhill Mountain biking, tyre swings into the water, hiking trails, fresh water fishing and some good swimming. The temperature changes considerably in Dwellingup – in winter it is very cold, and in summer very hot.

The camping locations in Dwellingup are Baden Powell, Charlies Flat, Chuditch, Tony’s Bend, Stringers, Yarragil and the Captain Fawcett Track.

Harvey and Brunswick Junction

The area in between Harvey and Brunswick Junction has a huge number of four wheel drive tracks, and plenty of places to camp. In many ways, this area is like Dwellingup, except not as many people visit and there is a much greater variety of camping locations. There is a fair bit of private property around the place though, so you need to be careful where you are driving.

The Brunswick Junction area is great for camping, catching Marron, four wheel driving and motorbike riding. If you want somewhere that is a bit quieter than Dwellingup, then it’s a good place to visit. Take a look at Brunswick Junction for more information.

Honeymoon Pool

If you are after a peaceful camping location not too far away from Perth, Honeymoon Pool is it. Honeymoon Pool is one of the better camping locations; it’s quiet, right next to the river and is the perfect weekend getaway. The nearest four wheel driving tracks are near Brunswick Junction, which makes it the perfect base camp.

Nannup Lavender Farm

This farm is another of the south west’s hidden gems, and is set up as an adult only camp ground. The scenery is stunning, being close to Carlotta Creek Valley and the Munda Biddi Trail. The birds are alive here, and for $20 per night you can have your own piece of paradise.

Potters Gorge

Potters Gorge is a gorgeous camp site located right next to Wellington Dam. The area is open, with no individually marked camp sites. Fires are permitted (in season) and swimming, bush walking and kayaking are popular.

Stockton Lake

Stockton Lake is an old open cut mine that has been filled with water, to form an artificial lake. The camp site has toilets, but no individually designated camp grounds.

Congelin

Congelin is another DEC camp site located in Dryandra, near Williams and Narrogin. This place is popular for wildflowers and the viewing of animals. Bandicoots, wallabies, boodies, bilbies and rufus hare wallabies breed here in a compound that protects them from predators. There are fire pits, toilets, room for Caravans or camper trailers but no drinking water is provided.

Westways Wildflowers

If you are into wildflowers, there is no better place to see them than on this private farm stay in WA. The farm consists of 1900 hectares of active farm land, and at only 200km north of Perth it is readily accessible. Camping is available at a designated campsite, which has benches, shade and a dry toilet.

Lake Navarino

Lake Navarino is primarily known for its water skiing lake, but is also popular for mountain biking, hiking, horse riding and fishing. It is located on private property in between Dwellingup and Waroona, and is pet friendly too.

I know that I have only covered a small portion of the places for camping near Perth. I would love to hear more about your favourite spots; please leave a comment below.

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