Welcome to the third state/territory in our free and budget camping spots series — this time we’re covering our largest state by far, Western Australia. Keep reading to discover some great bargains and freebies.
If you missed the first part in this series covering the best free and budget camping spots in the Northern Territory, just hit this link to catch up. And if you missed the second instalment covering Queensland, go here to catch up. Otherwise, welcome to part three where we’ll cover the best free and budget campsites of our country’s largest state, the incredibly varied and picturesque Western Australia. Whatever type of camping setting you’re eager to experience, when it comes to natural beauty WA has something that will exceed your expectations.
Exploring Western Australia: Diverse regions and affordable camping spots
Western Australia boasts a mix of climates, stunningly beautiful beaches, world-renowned surfing spots, unique wildlife and the famous Ningaloo Reef — the largest fringing reef on the planet. With a landmass larger than many European nations, WA is divided into five official tourism regions: Australia’s South West, Australia’s North West, Australia’s Coral Coast, Australia’s Golden Outback and Destination Perth. This guide highlights some incredible free and budget-friendly camping spots across these regions.
Camping grounds
Banksia Camp, Australia’s South West
Banksia Camp - D'Entrecasteaux National Park
Nestled in D'Entrecasteaux National Park, this coastal campsite offers breathtaking views at WA’s southernmost point. Located about a six-hour drive south of Perth, this family-friendly spot is ideal for fishing, swimming and surfing. Or simply doing nothing at all.
Facilities include a picnic table and toilet, so campers must bring their own drinking water. A 4WD is necessary to access this site, and fees apply.
Contact: parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au or 08 9840 0400
Alexander Bay Camping Area, Australia’s Golden Outback
This scenic coastal site is about an hour’s drive east of Esperance or an 8.5-hour drive southeast of Perth. Featuring 12 camping bays adjacent to a pristine white sandy beach, it’s perfect for activities such as kayaking, bushwalking, fishing, surfing and snorkelling.
Facilities are basic, offering just a drop toilet and rubbish bins (campers are requested to take their rubbish home). This popular first-come, first-served site charges $15 per night per campsite and is accessible only via 4WD.
Contact: 08 9083 1555
*FREEBIE* Camel Soak Camping Area, Australia’s Coral Coast
Situated a four-hour drive northeast of Perth, this remote campsite is near the historic Camel Soak waterhole, once vital for workers and camels during the construction of the Rabbit Proof Fence (State Barrier Fence). Today, it’s a tranquil escape for nature lovers.
Amenities include a basic barbecue and basic toilet facilities. The site is accessible to conventional vehicles, and campers need to be self-sufficient.
Contact: 08 9973 1002
Caravan parks and station stays
Barn Hill Beachside Station Stay, Australia’s North West
Just a hop, skip and a jump from Broome and 22 hours northeast of Perth by car, this campground offers access to 50km of pristine Indian Ocean coastline. So, there is plenty of space to spread out. Choose from powered or unpowered sites, camping huts or shaded camping shelters.
There are three basic camping huts which can sleep four to five people. The huts have a sink, 240V electricity and a ceiling fan, however they do not have air conditioning. Bring your own bed linen/sleeping bag, and insect netting is recommended.
Amenities include coin-operated washing machines, ablution blocks with hot showers, fish cleaning facilities, rubbish disposal and a kiosk which sells bakery-fresh bread and cakes, as well as toasted sandwiches and pies. Fees apply, and all conventional vehicles can access the area.
Well-behaved dogs on a leash are permitted. Fires are not.
Contact: barnhill.com.au or 08 9192 4975
RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park, Australia's Coral Coast
Located in Exmouth about 13 hours north of Perth by car, this caravan park is close to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park and Cape Range National Park. For travellers heading north along the North West Coastal Highway, take the Minilya-Exmouth Road. For travellers heading south, take Burkett Road to Minilya-Exmouth Road and turn right. Visitors can enjoy water activities such as snorkelling or swimming, as well as 4WD adventures, all within cooee of Exmouth. Accommodation options range from self-contained cabins to powered and unpowered sites. Facilities include ablution blocks, two swimming pools and kids’ wading pool, laundry, dump point, camp kitchen, barbecue facilities, playground, recreation room, kiosk and free wi-fi. Fees apply, and all vehicles can access the park. There is a boat ramp at Exmouth Boat Harbour and another (Bundegi Boat Ramp) about 10km north of town. Contact: parksandresorts.rac.com.au/exmouth/ or 08 9949 1101
Acclaim Swan Valley Tourist Park, Destination Perth
Situated just 30 minutes northeast of Perth by car, this park is a gateway to the 150 or so wineries, breweries, cafés and restaurants which line the Swan Valley Food and Wine Trail. Visitors can stay in tree-shaded cabins or family apartments, and there are powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites. The park features a shaded swimming pool, camp kitchen, barbecue area, playground, tennis court, recreation room and fully equipped laundry, making it a popular choice for families. Fees apply, and the park is accessible to all vehicles.
Contact: acclaimparks.com.au/gallery/perth/swan-valley-tourist-park/ or 08 9274 2828
Swan Valley Tourist Park
Bush camps
*FREEBIE* Peak Charles campground, Peak Charles National Park, Australia’s Golden Outback
This free, ‘first come, first served’ campground (bookings don’t apply) is located in the Great Western Woodlands, the world’s largest temperate (‘Mediterranean climate’) woodland. While there are picnic tables and compositing long-drop toilet facilities, this campground is suitable for swags, tents, camper trailers, campervans and caravans (offroad is recommended for the latter three), and you will need to be totally self-sufficient when it comes to potable water and food. From the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, take the Lake King-Norseman Road. Approximately 4km past the Kumarl-Lake King Road is the Peak Charles Road which will take you to the campground. Dogs are not permitted and nor are campfires. Contact: exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/peak-charles-campground or 08 90832100
*FREEBIE* Willow Springs, Australia’s South West
Not to be confused with Willow Springs Station in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, this campground located on the Warren Blackwood Stock Route in the Shire of Nannup offers a serene escape in the forest for campers. Approximately a three-hour drive from Perth and close to the famous Margaret River region, this is a great place where visitors can enjoy wineries, beaches and surfing nearby.
Facilities include a drop toilet and picnic table. Accessible by all conventional vehicles, this free camping spot is perfect for a weekend getaway.
Other free camping
*FREEBIE* Kwolyin Campsite, Australia’s Golden Outback
This easy-access and free campsite, in the Shire of Bruce Rock near to Kokerbin Rock (Kokerbin Hill), is located on the erstwhile football oval in the locality of Kwolyin. Kwolyin once had houses, a school, community hall, shops and a pub, but nowadays all that is left is the old Church of the Immaculate Conception. Nowadays beautiful bushland replete with wildflowers in season, the former oval is now one of the best free campgrounds available. There are flushing toilets, a camp kitchen, picnic shelters, caravan bays and fireplaces with barbecue plates (fires are not permitted from 1 October to 31 March).
Bookings do not apply.
Overnight rest areas
We include this section with the caveat that Rest Areas exist to help manage driver fatigue, not drive when tired and in doing so, hopefully not add your number to the road toll. Here at A247 Gear, we acknowledge that Rest Areas are not camping areas, so don’t go pulling out all your camping gear.
In Western Australia, a Rest Area signposted as a 24-Hour Rest Area is not intended for camping, and stopping is not to exceed more than 24 consecutive hours. Be sure not to stop in any heavy vehicle rest areas; these are exclusively for commercial heavy vehicles (and no, your motorhome does not count) and it is illegal for general and recreational vehicles to use them.
If you are looking for somewhere to set up for multiple nights, don’t do so in a Rest Area. It is neither designed to be — nor is it capable of being — a camping area or a caravan park on a planned road trip.
Only 24-Hour Rest Areas also displaying an Effluent Dump Site sign can be used to dispose of blackwater.
*FREEBIE* De Grey River Rest Area, Australia’s North West
Around 80km northeast of Port Hedland on the Great Northern Highway, this large free rest area is perfect for an overnight stop. Facilities include public toilets, a dump point and sheltered seating. Accessible to all vehicles, it’s suitable for camper trailers, campervans, large caravans and motorhomes but has a stay limit of 24 consecutive hours. There is a free wi-fi hotspot.
*FREEBIE* Frank Lupino Memorial Park, Destination Perth
Located 45 minutes southeast of Perth (by car) near Whitby, this rest area caters for short stops under 24 hours. Facilities are minimal, with a barbecue, fireplace and picnic table available. Accessible to all vehicles, this spot is ideal for a quick stopover. You will need to bring your own firewood, and you will need to be self-sufficient and self-contained since there is no water availability and no toilets. Consider this to be a 24-hour self-contained RV stop, nothing more.
*FREEBIE* Smokebush Reserve, Australia’s Coral Coast
This free rest area, located two hours north of Perth (by car) between Jurien Bay and Cervantes, is a spacious site for RVs and caravans. With no toilets or bins and only a couple of picnic tables, campers must be self-sufficient. Shade is in scant supply. The site is accessible to all vehicles but has a 24-hour stay limit.
