Travel & Touring | Camping & Caravanning
By: Tatum Stafford
One of the best things about living in Perth is how close we are to the water - and we're not just talking about your local beach.
There are plenty of spots, both inland and along the coast, where you can pitch your tent right by the water, all within an easy drive of the city. So if you want to enjoy a waterside campsite without the long drive, check out some of these options.
RELATED:
10 of the best campgrounds within two hours of Perth »
1. Lake Leschenaultia Campsite, Chidlow
Located on 168 hectares of bushland, Lake Leschenaultia is a popular camping destination for families. The 22 sites are well positioned around the campground's namesake lake, and provide easy access for swimming, canoeing and kayaking on the water. The three kilometre walk around the lake offers the chance to spot kangaroos, possums and echidnas – and if you’d like a longer stroll, there are an additional 12 kilometres of walking and mountain biking trails within the area.
Bookings can be made through the website. Some sites are unpowered and don’t include onsite parking spaces, so be sure to specify your requirements at the time of booking.
- Distance from Perth: 50km, just under an hour's drive.
- Amenities: Ablution block, barbeques, washing machines, camp kitchen and a nearby café.
- Cost: Fees vary by season. $20 - 48 per site per night (for two people). Fees apply for extra adults and children under 17 per night.
- Pet-friendly: No.
2. Guilderton Holiday Park
Positioned just a few metres away from the beach at the mouth of the Moore River, the Guilderton Holiday Park has more than 100 powered and unpowered camping sites on offer. This a great spot for families with young kids, as there's a large foreshore kids' play area they can enjoy after a dip at the beach. For a more luxurious stay, the park also offers a glamping experience for couples.
You’ll need to book your stay in advance online.
- Distance from Perth: 93km, 1hr 10 min drive.
- Amenities: Camp kitchen, ablution block, laundry facilities, sheltered BBQs with seating.
- Cost: Fees vary by season. Unpowered sites $32 - 34 per site per night (for two people). Powered sites $40 – 55 per site per night (for two people). Fees apply for extra adults and children under 17 per night. Glamping $155 – 210 per night (for two people).
- Pet-friendly: No.
3. Martins Tank Lake Campground in Yalgorup National Park, Preston Beach
The Martins Tank Campground is nestled amongst Peppermint and Tuart woodland on the banks of Martins Tank Lake. With easy access to the tranquil Yalgorup National Park, the 33-site campground has spots for swags and tents, as well as caravans.
This is a truly unplugged experience—the whole site is unpowered and there is no running water. To access the site, you'll also be travelling some unsealed roads, so be sure to check the weather ahead of your trip.
You can book your site online, or there is a self-serve booth when you arrive.
- Distance from Perth: 126km, 1hr 25min drive.
- Amenities: No-flush pit toilets, gas and electric barbeques, picnic tables, dishwashing facilities with seasonal rainwater.
- Cost: $15 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
- Pet-friendly: No.
4. Nanga Mill Campground in Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup
There are nine separate campgrounds within the expansive Lane Poole Reserve in Dwellingup, but the reserve’s largest open-style campground is at Nanga Mill. This beautiful spot by bank of Nanga Brook is unpowered and allows you to set up wherever you like, so you can truly get back to nature. There are many versatile sites in the area suitable for tents, caravans and camper trailers.
The sites are close to a safe swimming area, so are a popular spot for families and larger groups. The two kilometre Nanga Brook Walk Trail is another attraction; following the brook from the Mill to the Nanga Townsite.
Be aware there's no running water at Nanga Mill Campground and sites can't be pre-booked. If you'd prefer to plan ahead, check out Lane Poole Reserve's other bookable campgrounds.
- Distance from Perth: 121km, 1hr 30 min drive.
- Amenities: Toilets and picnic tables.
- Cost: $15 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16. Park entry fees to Lane Pool Reserve also apply.
- Pet-friendly: Yes.
5. Logue Brook Campground, Hoffman
The Logue Brook Dam campground is located within the Lake Brockman Tourist Park, and features 126 unpowered campsites. The campground is a great base for adventures on the water, as access to the dam for swimming, fishing and launching canoes and kayaks is available at a number of spots around the shore. The on-site café sets this campground apart—with easy access to caffeine and freshly baked scones, parents can easily refuel to keep up with the kids.
Note there is no drinking water at Logue Brook Dam campground.
If you're chasing amenities like drinking water and power, Lake Brockman campsite is just next door.
- Distance from Perth: 134km, 1hr 30 min drive.
- Amenities: Longdrop toilets, gas and electric barbeques, a playground and the Lake Brockman Tourist Park café.
- Cost: Unpowered sites at Logue Brook Dam $15 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
- Pet-friendly: Dogs are permitted, but must be on a leash at all times.
Enjoying this article? Check out:
12 best beach camping spots in WA »
10 unique day trips from Perth »
6. Yarragil Campground, Lane Poole Reserve
Located a stone's throw from the tranquil Murray River, Yarragil Campground is the smallest campgrounds within Lane Poole Reserve, consisting of just two sites. It's particularly popular with canoeists, as it sits beside the entry point for the epic 11.5-kilometre trail to Nanga Road Bridge.
There is no treated drinking water, and sites must be booked online.
- Distance from Perth: 124km, 1hr 40 min drive.
- Amenities: Toilets and picnic tables.
- Cost: $15 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16. Park entry fees to Lane Pool Reserve also apply.
- Pet-friendly: Yes.
7. Belvidere Beach Campground, Leschenault
Nestled on the edge of the Leschenault Estuary, there are 28 camping sites at the picturesque Belvidere Campground. As part of the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park, the campground is a stone’s throw from Belvidere Beach, as well as The Cut, a walking trail that leads through the park’s Tuart and Peppermint trees.
Be prepared to take your own drinking water as there is no running water available. Bookings cannot be made in advance, and sites are allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
- Distance from Perth: 153km, 1hr 40 min drive.
- Amenities: Longdrop toilets, wood barbeques and picnic tables.
- Cost: $15 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
- Pet-friendly: No.
RELATED:
Lesser-known beaches south of Perth »
8. Potters Gorge Campground, Worsley
Situated on the shore of the Wellington Dam, Potters Gorge boasts 59 individual campsites that cater to freestanding tents or swags, campervans and camper trailers. Set amongst shady Jarrah and Marri trees, this campsite is famed for its mountain bike track, bushwalking trails, fishing spots and ideal conditions for canoeing.
This is a basic bush camping experience—the site is unpowered and there's no drinking water. But it's a great spot for first-time campers thanks to the kiosk at Wellington Dam, a quick 5-minute drive away, in case you forget any of the essentials.
You’ll need to book your site in advance online.
- Distance from Perth: 193km, just under two hour's drive.
- Amenities: No-flush pit toilets, double-gas barbeques, picnic tables, cold water dishwashing facilities, dump station and an info shelter.
- Cost: $20 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
- Pet-friendly: No.
9. Honeymoon Pool Campground, Worsley
The popular Honeymoon Pool Campground features 20 campsites for tents on the banks of the Collie River. This campsite is nestled deep within the trees, so is only suitable for swags and tents. Depending on your site, you could be sleeping just 15 metres from the river’s edge, so it’s a great spot for an authentic lakefront experience. Activities such as fishing, bushwalking, canoeing and mountain biking are popular around the campground.
There is no treated drinking water, and the sites can be pre-booked online.
- Distance from Perth: 192km, 2hr drive.
- Amenities: Flush toilets, gas barbeques and picnic tables. Facilities are shared with daytime visitors to Honeymoon Pool.
- Cost: $20 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16.
- Pet-friendly: No.
10. Stockton Lake Recreation Area Campground, Collie
For a truly unique camping experience, set up camp just metres from the water at Stockton Lake. This artificial lake was once an open-cut mine, which has been transformed into a popular camping area.
There are 50 unpowered campsites in the area, which is perfectly stationed on the shore of the crystal blue lake. During warmer months, activities such as waterskiing, kayaking, and swimming are popular on the lake. Just be aware that the lake's mining origins mean the water is slightly acidic—something to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin.
There is no drinking water at this site. The campsite is also not bookable, so it's first-in, first-served.
Update: The boat ramp is currently closed because of a collapsed bank.
- Distance from Perth: 208km, 2hr drive.
- Amenities: Toilets and wood barbeques.
- Cost: $15 per night for adults, $5 per night for children aged between 5 and 16. Note that fees are collected daily and must be paid in cash.
- Pet-friendly: Yes.
RELATED:
The ultimate guide to Collie »
Prefer comfort over camping? RAC members get exclusive discounts at our nine holiday parks and resorts in iconic locations across WA.* *Terms and conditions apply. RAC member discount not applicable on already discounted rates. Discounts available on direct bookings only made online or via phone. Visit our Parks & Resorts website for more information.
Last updated: February 2024
