Western Australia has the largest coastline of any Australian state, which means it has plenty of opportunities for camping by the beach. Here’s a list of Julia’s top 10 beach campsites in WA.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands and waters for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

 

10 Best Spots for Beach Camping in WA:

1. Hamelin Bay Holiday Park
2. Martins Tank Campground
3. Burns Beach Sunsets Village
4. Cliff Head
5. Conto Campground
6. Lucky Bay & Le Grand Beach campgrounds
7. 3 Mile Camp
8. Banksia Camp
9. Cosy Corner Campground (East)
10. Gnoorea Point

 

Western Australians have got it good when it comes to beach camping. Possibly a bit too good if that’s possible. With nearly 13,000km of untapped coastline, the options of where to pitch a tent, watch the sunset over the ocean, and doze off to the sounds of waves crashing, are almost endless.

It all sounds so dreamy, right? Well it’s time to make dreams a reality! We’ve rounded up our top 10 spots to go beach camping in WA, and they’re definitely worth the road trip.

Also Read:

Beach Camping in WA 

 

1. Hamelin Bay Holiday Park

Location: Hamelin Bay
Distance / Time from Perth: 309km south / 3 hours 17 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered and powered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: BBQ facilities, showers, toilet block, kiosk, campfires 

Enjoy a different kind of peak hour with camping at Hamelin Bay. The southwest beach is famous for its returning resident stingrays that are frequently spotted cutting laps up and down the coast. Ngari Capes Marine Park makes for top-notch wildlife viewing, with stingrays appearing like hovering black diamonds just metres from the shore. Besides ray spotting, Hamelin Bay’s turquoise waters are also perfect for swimming; just be mindful of the barbs! 

 

 

There are 120 Hamelin Bay camping sites available to make the most of WA’s famous peak hour at your own desired pace.

MORE INFO

 

2. Martins Tank Campground

Location: Preston Beach
Distance/Time from Perth: 127km south / 1 hour 24 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: Camp kitchen, BBQ, toilet, picnic tables

Camping at Preston Beach is a favourite pastime for city slickers who want to escape to the wilderness without effort. Although camping on Preston Beach itself isn’t permitted, you can still get your wake-up-near-the-water fix opposite Martins Tank Lake at Martins Tank Campground just 8km away.

The preferred Preston Beach camping spot has 29 campsites surrounded by Peppermint trees and Tuart forest. It’s also moments away from other scenic spots like, Myalup, Tims Thicket, and Lake Clifton, the home of ancient living rock organisms, the thrombolites.

Read more: 8 Things I Learnt Not To Do On A Camping Trip Where Nothing Went Right

MORE INFO

 

Photo thanks to Louis-Jean Albert

 

3. Burns Beach Sunsets Village

Location: Burns Beach
Distance/Time from Perth: 34km north / 30 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered and powered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: Camp kitchen, BBQ, toilets, showers, laundry, restaurant/cafe

Want to visit Perth but not stay in the thick of it? Burns Beach Sunsets Village is the perfect combo of access to the hustle and bustle of Perth and beach retreat. Beach camping in Perth couldn’t be more convenient. 

Burns Beach itself is just a 55m walk from the campground, but if you’re wanting to venture further afield, Mindarie Marina, Whitemans Park, and Lakeside Joondalup are all within easy reach.  

MORE INFO

 

Photo thanks to Mark Adams

 

4. Cliff Head

Location: Cliff Head
Distance/Time from Perth: 313km north / 3 hours 30 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: Undercover area with sink and tables, toilet 

Neighbour limestone cliffs and inviting blue waters at this popular Dongara campsite, located just 37km south of the town along Indian Ocean Drive.

Cliff Head is separated into three camping areas so you can take your pick of scenery: Cliff Head North, Cliff Head Central, and Cliff Head South, the smallest out of the three. Besides swimming and fishing, you can also take to the slopes and go sandboarding for something different.

MORE INFO

 

5. Conto Campground

Location: Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Distance/Time from Perth: 298km south / 3 hours 11 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: Toilet, picnic tables

Nestle yourself under shady Peppermint trees at Conto Campground in Boranup, 19km south of Margaret River. This much-loved southwest campground is nearby Conto Springs Beach, so you can combine an enchanting forest stay with convenient ocean dips – win! If you want to stretch your legs, there’s also access to nearby hiking trails, including the Cape to Cape Track.

If you’re feeling adventurous and keen to explore more of the area, there are plenty of 4WD tracks nearby, including a rocky ride to Kilcarnup Beach. 

Conto Campground has 116 campsites, and it’s highly recommended to book in advance.

Read more: Road tripping WA’s South-West Corner

MORE INFO

 

 

6. Lucky Bay & Le Grand Beach campgrounds

Location: Cape Le Grand National Park
Distance/Time from Perth: 755km southeast / 8 hours 10 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: BBQs, toilet 

Experience one of WA’s most iconic sights: relaxing ‘roos at the beach.

Lucky Bay Campground is just footsteps from its namesake Lucky Bay, also known as Australia’s whitest beach and home to lounging kangaroos on its sands.

This stunning postcard locale also affords million-dollar views of rising granite peaks and translucent blue waters. Beach camping in WA simply does not get better than this.

Missed out on a Lucky spot? Thankfully, Le Grand Beach campground is just 12km away, so you can still make the most of Cape Le Grand’s beach camping perfection.

MORE INFO

 

 

 7. 3 Mile Camp

Location: Gnaraloo Station
Distance/Time from Perth: 1034km north / 10 hours 56 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: Toilets, showers, sinks, shop, campfires

Bring it all – snorkel, surfboard, jet ski – you name it! Cause Gnaraloo Station’s 3 Mile Camp is the ultimate WA beach camping site to get wet and wild.

What makes the 90,000-hectare working merino sheep station so appealing is its remote, off-grid location along 65km of unspoilt coastline. Better yet, the pristine Ningaloo Reef is right on its doorstep (or metres from your tent), making exploring the reef’s colourful universe part of your new daily ritual.

It’s recommended to travel with a 4WD to access all the good bits – world-class surf spots, secluded beaches, and rugged landscapes – across the ‘desert meets sea’ adventure playground. Trust me, you’ll find it hard to leave.

There are 65 unpowered sites, including primo spots metres from the coast, so get in early to catch the sunset.

MORE INFO

 

8. Banksia Camp

Location: D’Entrecasteaux National Park
Distance/Time from Perth: 408km south / 4 hours 41 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: Toilet, picnic tables, rainwater

If you want a true sense of escapism, head to Banksia Camp, a hidden gem located in Broke, 23km west of Walpole. You’ll need a 4WD to access the small campground, with seven secluded campsites surrounded by peppermint woodlands.

There’s not much to do at the campsite itself other than enjoy the simple life – not that it’s a bad thing. Go for refreshingly cool dips along the spectacular coastline and take advantage of the great fishing opportunities from the coast’s large boulders. Bliss.

Most campsites are out in the open, so it’s best to bring a shade cover or try and nab a spot under the Peppermint trees for sun protection.

MORE INFO

 

 

9. Cosy Corner Campground (East)

Location: Kroknup
Distance/Time from Perth: 437km south / 4 hours 45 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: BBQ, toilet, picnic tables, RV dump point

Now let’s get into the best of WA’s free beach camping options because who doesn’t like saving some coin?

Cosy Corner Campground (East) is located 29km west of Albany. As the name suggests, things are cosy in this greenlit campground with 36 campsites positioned closely across two areas.

The sheltered campground is only a hop, skip, and jump to the beach and is positioned along Bibbulman Track, one of Australia’s great walking trails. Hike, swim, sleep, and repeat!

Read more: Granite Skywalk – Climb This Massive Boulder in WA’s South West

MORE INFO

 

10. Gnoorea Point

Location: Gnoorea
Distance/Time from Perth: 1484km north / 15 hours 25 mins
Camping type: Tent (unpowered), camping trailer site, camping beside vehicle
Facilities: No amenities

Being far-flung and lacking in amenities hasn’t stopped Gnoorea Point from being one of WA’s top free beach camping spots, located 65km west of Karratha. Also known as 40 Mile, this Pilbara campground will tempt you to be the master of self-sufficiency with good fishing on offer

If fishing isn’t your thing, there’s enough wind protection to have a relaxing swim in calm waters and enjoy an authentic beach camping experience in WA – just make sure to bring plenty of supplies.

Please note: Camping fees apply at Gnoorea Point from 1 May to 30 September.

MORE INFO