Travel & Touring | Camping & Caravanning
By: Tatum Stafford
Camping is a great way for locals to escape the bustle of the city – and luckily for dog owners, there are a few campgrounds that will let you bring your furry friend along.
There are plenty of dog-friendly camping spots across WA, but if you’re a Perth local searching for a nearby getaway, these are the spots you should know about.
Remember, unless you're in a designated off-leash area, always keep your dog safely restrained and stay away from areas with 1080 baits. These poisonous baits are lethal for domestic pets. Look out for signs warning about baits, ticks (that could lead to ehrlichiosis) or other harmful objects in the area - and also, check the location of vets nearby so you know where to go in an emergency.
1. Logue Brook Campground, Hoffman
The spacious Logue Brook Campground is a great base for a range of water activities, including swimming, fishing, water skiing and launching canoes or kayaks. Nestled amongst peaceful state forest, there are 126 powered and unpowered campsites and plenty of amenities on offer – making this a great camping spot for those who’d prefer to not sacrifice the small luxuries.
- Distance from Perth: An hour and a half on State Route 2 and South Western Highway.
- Amenities: Long drop toilets, gas and electric barbeques, a playground and the Lake Brockman Tourist Park café.
- Cost: $10 per night for adults, $2.20 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
RELATED: 10 of the best Perth campsites by the water »
2. Banksia Tourist Park, Hazelmere
The powered pet sites at Banksia Tourist Park are ideal for a break from the city, at under an hour from the CBD. The park is situated amongst tranquil bushland at the base of the Perth Hills, and offers plenty of amenities, spacious sites and plenty of recreational areas to unwind at.
Doggy day care is available at the park for $20 per day if you’d like to explore the surrounding national parks (which are not pet-friendly). And if you’re searching for a peaceful spot to walk your pup, the off-lead Greenslopes Dog Park is a short stroll from the park.
- Distance from Perth CBD: 30 minutes on National Highway 94.
- Amenities: Ablution and laundry facilities, and an off-lead dog exercise area.
- Cost: $38 per site per night.
3. Woodman Point Holiday & Caravan Park, Cockburn
If you’re keen to take your pup seaside, book a cabin or site at the dog-friendly Woodman Point Holiday & Caravan Park. The vibrant park is jam-packed with amenities and fun activities for the kids, and is a great base if you’re eager to explore the neighbouring coastline, the Woodman Point Ammo Jetty or any of the dog-friendly cafes, beaches or even bars in the city of Fremantle.
- Distance from Perth CBD: 35 minutes on State Route 2.
- Amenities: Activity room, barbeques, camp kitchen, a kiosk, laundry, playground and swimming pool.
- Cost: $22 per night for an unpowered site, or $32 per night for a paved, powered site.
4. Nanga Mill Campground, Nanga Brook
Once a jarrah saw mill, Nanga Mill is now a spacious campground with space for 55 large tents, camper trailers or caravans. There are mountain bike trails, bush walking trails and 4WD tracks nearby, and the Murray River is within walking distance – making it a popular spot for families during school holidays and warmer months.
Bookings are not available, so sites are first in, first served. There’s also no running water, so you’ll need to bring water with you.
- Distance from Perth: An hour and a half on State Route 2.
- Amenities: Picnic tables, barbecues, fire pits and long-drop toilets.
- Cost: $11 per night for adults, and $3 per night for children aged over 5 and under 16 years.
5. Perth Central Caravan Park, Ascot
The Perth Central Caravan Park is the closest holiday park to the Perth CBD - and with plenty of dog-friendly sites and cabins on offer, it’s a great spot for a quick escape from the city. The park itself is filled with amenities, including a deluxe outdoor kitchen and large swimming pool with sun lounges. And when it’s time for walkies, the nearby Ayres Bushland, Garvey Park or Claughton Reserve are great spots for your pup to burn off some energy.
- Distance from Perth CBD: 15 minutes on National Highway 94.
- Amenities: Barbeque kitchen, ablution block, laundry facilities and a fire pit.
- Cost: From $38.50 per night for a powered site. A $50 pet-friendly booking deposit applies, and is fully refundable at the end of your stay if there are no disturbances related to your pet.
6. Charlie's Flat, Dwellingup
The quaint Charlie’s Flat campground is nestled within the picturesque Lane Poole Reserve, and features 16 campsites suitable for tents, campervans or camper trailers. Situated right on the banks of the Murray River, the campsite is the ideal spot to pitch a tent under the reserve’s jarrah and marri trees – and is perfect for those who enjoy swimming, kayaking, canoeing and fishing.
Bookings are available online, and drinking water is not available, so you’ll need to bring your own.
- Distance from Perth: An hour and a half on State Route 2.
- Amenities: Picnic tables and no-flush pit toilets.
- Cost: $11 per night for adults, and $3 per night for children aged over 5 and under 16 years.
7. Marrinup Townsite Campground, Holyoake
The 100 camp sites on the grassy Marrinup Townsite Campground are an idyllic spot for a quick getaway from the city. Situated a few kilometres from Dwellingup, these camping grounds previously catered for Italian and German prisoners of war – and today, you can take your dog on the 4.5-kilometre walking trail which connects the campsite to remnants of buildings from this period of history.
Sites can’t be pre-booked at this campground, and you’ll need to bring drinking water with you.
- Distance from Perth: One hour and 20 minutes on State Route 2.
- Amenities: Picnic tables, wood barbeques and longdrop toilets.
- Cost: $8 per night for adults, $3 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
8. Stringers Campground, Nanga Brook
If you’re hoping for a more secluded camping experience, pitch your tent at one of six sites at the tranquil Stringers Campground. Situated on the banks of the Murray River, this picturesque campground is a great base for water activities such as kayaking, mountain bike riding, swimming and fishing (which you’ll require a license for). There are also plenty of interconnected bushwalking trails that can be explored by you and your furry friend.
- Distance from Perth: An hour and fifty minutes on State Route 2.
- Amenities: Picnic tables, wood barbeques and toilets.
- Cost: $11 per night for adults, $3 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
9. Pinjarrah Holiday Park, Pinjarra
Situated on picturesque farmland, the Pinjarrah Holiday Park offers 70 dog-friendly grass sites and plenty of amenities for campers. The lower 100 acres of the property is an off-lead area for dogs; making this a popular destination for larger dog owners who require plenty of space for exercise.
Other animals you may find at the park (and on the park’s working farm) include the owners’ cows and horses, and a few native red-tailed black cockatoos, kangaroos and rabbits.
- Distance from Perth: An hour and five minutes on State Route 2.
- Amenities: Onsite laundry, camp kitchens with gas barbeques and campfires (in-season).
- Cost: $12.50 per night for adults, $7 per night for children.
RELATED: 13 of WA's best farm stays »
10. Baden Powell Campground, Dwellingup
The Baden Powell Campground is situated within Lane Poole Reserve and hosts 42 camp sites. As the Murray River flows through the reserve, the campground is the perfect base for recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, and even white-water rafting. The campground is particularly popular with families, thanks to its large range of amenities and variety of activities on offer. Bookings can be made online.
- Distance from Perth: An hour and a half on State Route 2.
- Amenities: Camp kitchens with gas barbecues, picnic tables and no-flush pit toilets.
- Cost: $15 per night for adults, and $3 per night for children aged over 5 and under 16 years.
Make sure your furry friend is protected
Our trusted pet insurance covers up to 80%* of vet costs, less any relevant excess up to $12,000*.
Disclaimer: *Illness and injury cover – covers up to 80% of eligible vet bills, less any relevant excess, up to $12,000 annually. Conditions, limits & exclusions apply. RAC Insurance Pty Limited is authorised by RACQ Insurance Limited (ABN 50 009 704 152, AFSL 233 082) as an agent to issue Pet Insurance. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the PDS, SPDS (where applicable) and TMD at rac.com.au before making any decision.
