The Most Beautiful Campsites In Western Australia

Let’s face it, Western Australia has an abundance of picture-perfect spots where you can doze under a canopy of stars.

From the dramatic Kimberley region in the north to the talcum-white beaches of the South West, you’ll be spoiled for choice in this 2.6-million-square kilometre open-air playground.

To help you on your way, we’ve compiled a list of WA’s most beautiful camping spots that’ll have you driving to your local camping store quicker than you can say ‘eureka’.

You can also follow along on the map below.

1. Osprey Bay Campground

Ningaloo Reef

Forget paying top dollar to sit around at the nearby exclusive safari camp: your own slice of paradise awaits at Osprey Bay for just $11 a night. Locals call this place ‘the aquarium’ and we promise you – it lives up to its nickname.

Situated above a rock-shelf shoreline, this campsite couldn’t boast a dreamier view: turquoise waters lapping at squeaky-clean sand. While away the time snorkelling, swimming, kayaking – or snoozing in the hammock. If you visit between late March and late June, you have the opportunity to swim with whale sharks.

Site facilities are basic – bush toilets and picnic tables. There’s no water or showers, so make sure you’re well stocked (and washed) before you arrive.

Cost: $11 adult per night, $3 child per night.

A slice of paradise awaits at Osprey Bay.

2. Dales Campground

Karijini National Park

With over 6000 square kilometres of natural real estate, the Pilbara’s Karijini National Park really knows how to make the adventure seeker blush: a medley of gorges, massive mountains rising out of flat valleys and 2500-million-year-old rocks.

Situated 1200 kilometres from Perth, the park is about as remote as you can get – it won’t suit those who can’t live without mobile phone coverage. Dales Campground is one of two locations in the park where you can stay overnight. Site facilities are basic – bush toilets, barbecue sites and a small kiosk at the visitor’s centre.

From the campground you can walk to Dales gorge, where you can swim in the Fern Pool, stand under Fortescue Falls or hike to Circular Pool. Visit the park over the cooler months (between June and September).

Cost: $11 adult per night, $3 child per night.

3. Kooljaman at Cape Leveque

Dampier Peninsula

Kooljaman at Cape Leveque is the oceanic host with the most! Situated on the Dampier Peninsula, 220 kilometres north of Broome and accessed via the partially unsealed Cape Leveque Road, Kooljaman is one of those magical WA coastal spots where red rock meets turquoise water.

Set up camp beneath a wooden shelter with palm-frond walls, ditch the shoes and watch the swoon-worthy stretches of sand and turquoise water as you poke the campfire.

With no mobile reception there’s no possibility of scrolling social media – instead spend your days swimming, fishing or reading a good book.

Cost: $50 unpowered campsites, $120 camping beach shelter.

Kooljaman at Cape Leveque is your ocean host with the most.

4. Lucky Bay Campground

Cape Le Grand National Park

Within 45 minutes’ drive of Esperance, Cape Le Grand National Park oozes white sandy beaches voted the best in Australia. You’ve probably seen those Tourism Australia photos of chilled out kangaroos that pose with tourists on the beach at Lucky Bay. Now you know where to get your own selfie with a roo.

The Cape Le Grand Campground has shared kitchen facilities, barbecues, picnic tables, solar-heated showers and flushing loos. Spend your days swimming, fishing or hiking.

The park’s rolling heathlands are home to pygmy possums and an array of wildflowers. Top tip – don’t miss the great coffee van on the beach over the peak Christmas season.

Cost: $15 adult per night, $3 child per night.

5. Elachbutting Rock Campsite , near Westonia

The Wheatbelt

Situated four hours east of Perth, the bewitching Elachbutting Rock is a tad smaller than the more well-known Wave Rock near Hyden but it’s still super impressive – and well worth the drive. Plus Elachbutting has the added intrigue of a 30-metre tunnel, Monty’s Pass (which was caused by one helluva rock slide).

Plan your visit during wildflower season (mid-July to late October) and you’ll get to see the brilliant wildflowers – as well as the beauty of this multi-coloured granite rock.

Campsite facilities at the rock are basic – barbecues, fire pits, picnic tables and a bush loo. And best yet? It’s all for free.

Cost: Free

Camp in the shadow of Elachbutting Rock.

6. Mitchell Falls Campground

Mitchell River National Park

Situated 560 kilometres from Kununurra, getting to the Mitchell Plateau takes time, a 4WD and dedication. It’s an adventure in its own right, and it’s well worth the effort. The thundering Mitchell Falls are among the most photographed attractions of the rugged Kimberley region.

This is no-frills camping suited to the most adventurous of travellers – there are bush toilets, but no showers. The four-tiered falls are a six-kilometre walk from the huge Mitchell Falls camping area, which is separated into a generator and a quiet area.

In the Kimberley, prime travel time is from June to August where temperatures hover around 30°C and there’s not a cloud in the sky.

Cost: $11 adult per night, $3 child per night.

Mitchell Falls campground puts you right among the action.

7. Hamelin Station

Near Shark Bay

On the doorstep of Shark Bay World Heritage area, Hamelin Station offers a taste of Aussie history, stunning landscapes and distinctive adventures.

Conveniently located on World Heritage Drive (the only road into and out of Shark Bay, nearby you can investigate the ancient stromatolites at Hamelin Bay or take a day trip to Denham and see the Monkey Mia dolphins.

At the Station, a 202,000-hectare property set on 32 kilometres of Shark Bay coastline, you can sleep in the comfy shearers quarters or pitch a tent (all sites have fire pits and are separated by nature corridors).

Camping facilities are top-notch and include camp kitchens with gas burners and barbecues, modern showers and laundry facilities (also includes disabled facilities).

Cost: $14 adult for camping, $6 children, Station Stay accommodation range $80-$180

Stromatolites at Hamelin Pool, south east of Denham — Take a short drive from Hamelin Station to see the stromatolites at Hamelin Pool. Photo: Tourism Western Australia.

8. Conto Campground

Near Margaret River

You’ll find this gem just outside Margaret River, a region known globally for its wine and beaches, all tucked away in Australia’s south-west corner.

Conto Campground is not far from the stunning Conto Springs Beach, a popular place to take a dip in the ocean, bodyboard, surf or just slap on the sunscreen and relax. From here you can also walk a portion of the 135-kilometre Cape to Cape track that runs between the lighthouses of Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.

With 116 campsites nestled among the coastal peppermint woodland, the campground had an upgrade in 2015. There are several different areas you can camp in and they all have different facilities. Some of the areas have washing up areas, barbecues and each camp area has long-drop toilets.

Cost: $15 adult per night, $3 child per night.

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Livistona palms soar out of chasms the colour of Valencia oranges. Shady waterholes beckon travellers daring to venture off the bitumen. From the air, fruit farms give way to vast plains that meet rolling hills and fascinating geological formations centuries in the making. The East Kimberley is one of Australia’s most treasured wilderness areas, but don’t be fooled by its rust-coloured roads. This north-eastern corner of Western Australia is home to some of Australia’s most iconic stays by Discovery Resorts that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

A group of people enjoy an intimate dining experience at El Questro Homestead. — Dine in the heart of nature.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

With rolling hills that glow amber at sunrise and glassy water that reflects the Kimberley’s bright blue sky, a visit to Lake Argyle is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As Australia’s second-largest man-made freshwater lake, travellers flock here to soak in the views from boats, helicopters and Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle .

The latter is a lakeside oasis, a resort where travellers crossing from Western Australia into the Northern Territory (or vice versa) converge. Fifty minutes’ drive south of Kununurra, the property is perched atop a cliff overlooking the sprawling Lake Argyle.

Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle was originally built in the late 1960s to provide accommodation for builders of the Ord River dam, which formed Lake Argyle. In the decades that followed it had several owners, until a Kununurra local took the reins in 2004 and reinvented the property with luxury villas and its now world-famous infinity pool. The iconic property was added to the Discovery Resorts portfolio in 2021, undergoing a major upgrade that took the resort from a beloved campground to an all-encompassing resort with premium waterfront villas.

A boat glides across the expansive waters of Lake Argyle, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Kimberley. As part of the Discovery Holiday Parks experience, this unforgettable journey offers adventure and relaxation. — Glide across the vast, shimmering waters of Lake Argyle.

The rooms

A lakeside resort like no other, Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle offers something for everyone, from campsites to villas and cabins . The Deluxe Lakeview Cabins have views of the opposing cliff and are surrounded by bush, ensuring plenty of privacy, while both the Deluxe and Standard Cabins are ideal for families, with contemporary furnishings and one, two or four bedrooms. The campsites also come in a variety of sizes.

The facilities

There’s no doubt the biggest drawcard to Discovery Resorts – Lake Argyle is the lake, 20 times the size of Sydney Harbour. One of the best ways to experience it is on the Kimberley Durack Sunset Explorer Cruise , during which you’ll see freshwater crocodiles nesting along the banks (it’s home to 30,000 freshies) and even get the chance to swim in their waters. The cruise also takes in Mt Misery, towering above the original and now submerged Argyle Downs Homestead.

If you have young children who need to get to bed early, a great alternative is the three-hour Lunch Explorer Cruise . You’ll tour around the lake’s bays as you learn about the local wildlife before stopping at a remote island for a swim.

Refuel between adventures at the onsite pub-style eatery, The Lake Argyle Cafe. The cafe is the heart of the resort, bringing together friends new and old over a steak, cold beer and live music. Hours vary with the seasons, but rest assured you’ll be able to enjoy a good feed year-round, with a well-stocked general store also open during the day.

Cool off from a day of exploring in the striking infinity pool with some of the best views in the country (you’ll find sweeping views of the lake below). Or enjoy a flight with HeliSpirit, or clear your mind during a yoga class on the lawn.

Two people unwind in an infinity pool, overlooking stunning Lake Argyle at Discovery Holiday Parks. — Take a dip in the infinity pool and soak in breathtaking Lake Argyle views.

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

One of the most famous stays in Australia is El Questro . A former cattle station, it’s evolved into one of the country’s most recognisable tourism destinations over the past 30 years, and is now embarking on a new chapter to elevate the region’s rich First Nations culture.

The property draws travellers seeking to reconnect with nature and the beauty of this country. Wild in spirit but immaculate in style, El Questro is a 283,000-hectare property like no other; surrounded by dramatic gorges, impressive mountain ranges, thermal springs, secluded waterfalls and even rainforest, it’s the perfect base for adventurous souls.

A person floats leisurely in the river at Discovery Holiday Parks, immersed in nature’s tranquillity. — Float along Zebedee Springs and immerse in nature.

The rooms

Across the sprawling El Questro are three properties catering to the wide variety of travellers who journey this way. The most impressive is the luxurious Homestead , where 10 suites perch at the edge of a burnt-orange cliff, with cantilevered bedrooms over the peaceful Chamberlain River. The adults-only, all-inclusive Homestead is a member of the prestigious Luxury Lodges of Australia collection and offers a backdrop of thick bushland; riverside, you’ll find an immaculate lawn and a shaded pool that lures guests out of their rooms.

At Emma Gorge , travellers will be immersed in the beauty of the Cockburn Ranges, falling asleep to the sounds of wildlife in safari-style tented cabins. This is where you come if you want to completely connect with your environment while retaining a few creature comforts. The Emma Gorge Tented Cabins sleep three or four people and feature private ensuites and ceiling fans.

Families also love The Station , home to simple yet comfortable air-conditioned rooms, as well as a large, leafy campground. Sitting by the Pentecost River, The Station is open from April to October and has a range of accommodation, from unpowered and powered campsites to air-conditioned tents for two people and a Gardenview Family Room for five.

Two people stand beside a suite perched on the edge of a striking burnt-orange cliff, gazing out over the serene Chamberlain River below. — Take a breather with stunning views of nature all around.

The facilities

Located in the heart of the Kimberley, El Questro retains its strong connection with its Traditional Owners, the Ngarinyin people. A highlight of a stay here is the Injiid Marlabu Calls Us experience ; over two hours, guests are immersed in the soul of Country by witnessing ancient healing rituals, listening to generational stories and learning about the land’s ancestral heritage.

Other experiences include bird watching, cruising through Chamberlain Gorge, hiking through Emma Gorge, horse riding, four-wheel-driving and soaking in Zebedee Springs. At the properties, you can also cool off in the pools, and relax in the restaurants or at private dining locations. A bonus of staying at The Homestead is the exclusive service of El Questro’s dedicated reservations team, who will craft a bespoke itinerary tailored to your travel tastes.

A group of people stand beside a tree, with a car parked nearby, taking in the surrounding natural beauty. — Experience thrilling nature activities.

Book your East Kimberley adventure today with Discovery Resorts.

The most beautiful campsites in Western Australia

Let’s face it, Western Australia has an abundance of picture-perfect spots where you can doze under a canopy of stars.

1. Osprey Bay Campground

Ningaloo Reef

2. Dales Campground

Karijini National Park

3. Kooljaman at Cape Leveque

Dampier Peninsula

4. Lucky Bay Campground

Cape Le Grand National Park

5. Elachbutting Rock Campsite , near Westonia

The Wheatbelt

6. Mitchell Falls Campground

Mitchell River National Park

7. Hamelin Station

Near Shark Bay

8. Conto Campground

Near Margaret River

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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

The East Kimberley should be on every bucket list, and here’s why.

Your guide to Lake Argyle

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities

Your guide to El Questro

The backstory

The rooms

The facilities