13 of the most beautiful camping spots near Perth

Kirsty PetridesBy Kirsty Petrides
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If you’ve found yourself in Perth and want to sleep under the stars (but not have to drive for hours and hours) you’re in luck.

Thanks to Perth being the most isolated capital city in the world, it’s filled with some of the country’s most bountiful landscapes – many of which are accessible a short drive from the city centre. There are a plethora of free and low-cost camping spots near Perth to unwind, unplug and get amongst the great outdoors. Here are 13 of our favourites.

1. Lake Leschenaultia, Perth Hills

Lake Leschenaultia camping
Lake Leschenaultia offers a picturesque escape for outdoor enthusiasts.

Distance from Perth: 55 minutes

Best for: Families and first-timers

Perth’s hills might surprise you, as the city’s coastline often steals the spotlight. However, camping at Lake Leschenaultia  immerses you in native bush, wildflowers and gentle valleys. It features a lakebed beach, canoe hire, and sheltered BBQ spots. Nearby Chidlow town adds to the charm with its bakeries, shops, and pubs. The campground itself offers 23 campsites spread across three distinct areas: Tent Campground, Main Campground, and Group Campground. Each area has its own bathroom, while BBQ, playground, kitchen, and kiosk facilities are shared. A three-kilometre walk around the lake provides opportunities to spot kangaroos, possums, and echidnas. For those seeking a longer adventure, an additional 12 kilometres of walking and mountain biking trails are available. Bookings can be made online, with some sites being unpowered and lacking onsite parking, so specify your needs when booking.

2. Perth Hills Discovery Centre at Beelu National Park

Distance from Perth: 40 mins

Best for: Families with young kids

Just a 40-minute drive from the Perth CBD, the Perth Hills Discovery Centre  is perfect for first-time campers and families with young children. The site offers twelve shady tent sites, fire rings, outdoor picnic tables, and high-quality amenities including an ablution block, picnic tables, and a camp kitchen with electric barbecues. It is surrounded by popular walking and cycling trails and is close to iconic attractions like the Mundaring Weir and the Bibbulmun Track. The nearby Kookaburra Open Air Cinema  screens movies on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from December to April.

3. Henry White Oval at Yanchep National Park

the lush grounds of Yanchep National Park
The site is surrounded by tuart and banksia woodlands. (Image: Getty/Paola Giannoni)

Distance from Perth: 45 mins

Best for: Families and first-time campers

Henry White Oval Campground , nestled in Banksia and tuart woodlands, is a purpose-built campground ideal for families and first-timers. It features nine hard sites, ten grass sites, a large group camping area, an ablution block, a sheltered barbeque area and a communal fire pit that is open seasonally. However, there is no running water, so you’ll need to bring your own. Located within Yanchep National Park, it’s just a few hundred metres from the park’s renowned wetlands, adventure climbing courses and animal sanctuaries. The Yanchep Lagoon, a great spot for swimming and sheltered snorkelling, is only a ten-minute drive away.

4. Bald Hill at Avon Valley National Park

the campground at Bald Hill at Avon Valley National Park
Spend a couple of nights off the grid surrounded by nature. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

Distance from Perth: 90 mins

Best for: Serene bush views

Avon Valley National Park spans nearly 5,000 hectares of lush bushland with panoramic views over the valley, a diverse range of flora and fauna and four campgrounds. Among these, Bald Hill  is one of the busiest. Situated atop its namesake hill, this spacious campground provides stunning views of the entire park and is well-equipped with facilities including picnic tables, fire rings, toilets and water. There are excellent bushwalking and cycling trails that meander through and around the campgrounds. Bookings cannot be made in advance, however, with spots designated on a first-come, first-served basis – so aim to arrive early.

5. Honeymoon Pool, Wellington National Park

the campground at Honeymoon Pool, Wellington National Park
Sleep among the shady peppermint trees. (Image: Jacki Baxter)

Distance from Perth: 2 hours

Best for: Beautiful lakeside views

Nestled on the banks of the serene Collie River, Honeymoon Pool  offers 20 campsites scattered among shady peppermint trees. Thanks to its waterside location, you can enjoy kayaking, swimming, and bushwalking. It’s conveniently 2WD friendly, and has picnic, BBQ and toilet facilities on site.

6. Potters Gorge Campground, Wellington National Park

the Potters Gorge Campground, Wellington National Park
The campsite is located on the shores of Wellington Dam. (Image: Kevin Smith)

Distance from Perth: 2 hours

Best for: Tranquility and relaxation
Potters Gorge Campground , situated on the shore of Wellington Dam, offers 59 individual campsites suitable for freestanding tents, swags, campervans, and camper trailers. Nestled among shady jarrah and marri trees, this campsite is renowned for its mountain bike track, bushwalking trails, fishing spots, and ideal conditions for canoeing. This is a basic bush camping experience, as the sites are unpowered campers need to BYO drinking water. However, there are no- flush pit toilets, double-gas barbecues, picnic tables, cold water dishwashing facilities and a dump station. There’s also a cafe at Wellington Dam, just a quick five-minute drive away, in case you forget any essentials. You will need to book your site in advance online.

7. Sandy Cape Recreation Park, Jurien Bay

Distance from Perth: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Best for: Beach camping

Sandy Cape Recreation Park  offers a quintessential beach camping experience in an unbeatable location with breathtaking views. This affordable camping spot is nestled beside a pristine beach, so you can wake up to the soft sands and turquoise water of Jurien Bay. Little ones can spend their days sliding down sand dunes and splashing in the water, while adults can indulge in fishing, snorkelling, kayaking, or scenic hike to the peak. You do need to be fairly self-sufficient, as the only facilities are longdrop or compost toilets – no BBQs or power (although you can BYO generators.)

8. Nanga Mill Campground in Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup

the Nanga Mill Campground in Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup
Head to Nanga Mill Campground for a well-deserved off-grid escape. (Image: DBCA)

Distance from Perth: 1 hour 40 mins

Best for: Campers with furry friends

Lane Poole Reserve  in Dwellingup features nine separate campgrounds, but Nanga Mill  is the largest open-style campground. This picturesque spot by the bank of the brook is unpowered, allowing you to truly reconnect with nature. The sites are suitable for tents as well as caravans and camper trailers, and the campground has a swimming area, a two-kilometre Nanga Brook Walk Trail and is also dog-friendly. Amenities include toilets and picnic tables, however, there is no running water. You also cannot book ahead, so if you prefer not to wing it, try one of Lane Poole’s bookable campgrounds.

9. Baden Powell Campground at Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup

view from the tent at Baden Powell Campground at Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup
Wake up to foggy mornings at the Baden Powell Campground. (Image: Rachel Hutton)

Distance from Perth: 1 hour 40 mins

Best for: Hikers and water-sports lovers

Ideal for families, the Baden Powell Campground  boasts 42 campsites and three undercover camp kitchens equipped with gas barbecues and rainwater taps (though you’ll need to bring your own drinking water) an ablution block and dining benches. The Murray River, a highlight of the reserve, is a great spot for canoeing, fishing, white-water rafting, and swimming during the warmer months. The Bibbulmun Track also runs through the reserve, providing a great hop-on, hop-off hiking experience. Pets are welcome at this one, too.

10. Martins Tank Campground in Yalgorup National Park, Preston Beach

a tent setup on Martins Tank Campground in Yalgorup National Park, Preston Beach
The entire site is unpowered, allowing you to disconnect from your gadgets. (Image: Kevin Smith)

Distance from Perth: 90 mins

Best for: A real unplugged experience

Martins Tank Campground  is nestled among peppermint and tuart woodland on the banks of Martins Tank Lake, offering easy access to the tranquil Yalgorup National Park. The 33-site campground accommodates swags, tents, and caravans. This is a real unplugged (and self-sufficient) experience, as the entire site is unpowered, lacks running water and is accessible via some unsealed roads. However, there are amenities such as no-flush pit toilets, gas and electric barbecues, picnic tables, and dishwashing facilities with seasonal rainwater. You can book your site online, or use the self-serve booth upon arrival.

11. Logue Brook Campground, Lake Brockman

the Lake Brockman within Logue Brook Campground, Perth
This campground by the lake is a great base for water adventures. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

Distance from Perth: 90 mins

Best for: Watersports

The Logue Brook Dam campground , located within the Lake Brockman Tourist Park, features 126 unpowered campsites. It’s a great base for water adventures, offering access to the dam for swimming, fishing, and launching canoes and kayaks at various spots around the shore. Plus it’s a short walk to a cafe at neighbouring Lake Brockman Tourist Park, serving coffee and freshly baked goods. Amenities include long-drop toilets, gas and electric barbecues, a playground – and pet-friendliness. There is no drinking water available at the campground, so campers need to BYO or head to the tourist park next door. 

12. Belvidere Campground, Leschenault

a tent setup on Belvidere Campground, Leschenault
The campground is nestled within the lush tuart forest of Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

Distance from Perth: 1 hour 40 mins

Best for: Bushwalkers

Belvidere Campground , nestled on the edge of the Leschenault Estuary, offers 28 picturesque camping sites. As part of the Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park, the campground is within walking distance to Belvidere Beach and The Cut, a walking trail that winds through the park’s tuart and peppermint trees. Amenities include long-drop toilets, wood barbecues, and picnic tables. There’s no running water available, so campers need to BYO drinking water; and bookings cannot be made in advance, with sites allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

13. Stockton Lake Recreation Area Campground, Collie

the Stockton Lake Recreation Area Campground, Collie
Set up camp by the blue waters of Stockton Lake. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

Distance from Perth: 1 hour 40 mins

Best for: Waterfront camping

For a truly unique camping experience, you can set up camp just metres from the water at Stockton Lake . This artificial lake, once an open-cut mine, has been transformed into a popular camping area with 50 unpowered sites on the shore of the crystal blue lake. During the warmer months, activities such as waterskiing, kayaking, and swimming are popular (however, be aware that the lake’s mining origins mean the water is slightly acidic, which is something to consider if you have sensitive skin.) Amenities include toilets and wood barbecues, and you can bring your pet along too. There is no drinking water available so be prepared to BYO, and you cannot book in advance – sites are designated on a first-in-best-dressed basis.

Kirsty Petrides
Kirsty Petrides is a writer, wine-lover and cheese enthusiast. Whether she’s hunting down the best restaurant in Albania, foraging the Marrakech markets for spices or camping in the middle of Patagonian wilderness, she loves to seek out the authentic side of the places she visits, and share that with readers through her writing.
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The best walks and hikes for an active day in Perth

    Kirsty PetridesBy Kirsty Petrides
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    From coastal boardwalks to wildflower-rich bush trails, Perth offers hikes to suit both casual walkers and experienced adventurers.

    Whether you’re craving a gentle stroll to spot wildflowers or a lung-pumping climb for panoramic views, there’s a walk or hike for every mood and fitness level. Lace up your hiking boots, pack water and get walking. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best hikes and walks in Perth.

    In short

    If you only do one serious hike, make it the Eagle View Trail in John Forrest National Park for waterfalls, wildflowers and city skyline and even ocean views. If you’ve only got time for something shorter, hit the Zamia Trail in City Beach for short steep climbs offering sweeping views.

    1. Sullivan Rock to Mount Cooke (Darling Range)

    Sullivan Rock to Mount Cooke (Darling Range)
    Walk to the highest point in the Darling Range, Mt Cooke. (Image: DBCA)

    Distance: 18.4 kilometres return (8 hours)

    Getting there: 1 hour from Perth

    Accessibility: Grade 4; hiking experience recommended due to steep final climb.

    Facilities: Campground, public toilets, shaded rest areas, water access at Mount Cooke.

    This hike begins through creeklined forests of sheoak, banksia, and jarrah, steadily working its way up to the summit ridge of Mount Cooke. The payoff is a sweeping panorama over the Darling Range, especially dramatic at sunrise, and a chance to camp overnight if you want the peace of dusk and dawn.

    2. Eagle View Trail, John Forrest National Park

    a bicycle trail in John Forrest National Park, Perth
    Traverse scenic vistas on two wheels. (Image: Kevin Smith)

    Distance: 15-kilometre loop (56 hours)

    Getting there: 40 minutes from Perth.

    Accessibility: Grade 34; decent fitness required for climbs and undulating terrain.

    Facilities: Picnic spots, public toilets, shaded areas; kiosk closer to Ranger’s Office.

    Winding through valleys and woodlands, this trail delivers a little bit of everything  – from creekbeds and pretty waterfalls to sweeping views to Perth CBD and the Indian Ocean in the distance. The Jane Brook section also blossoms in wildflowers come spring.

    3. Whistlepipe Gully Trail, Mundy Regional Park

    Distance: 3.5-kilometre loop (1.5 hours)

    Getting there: 30 mins from Perth CBD

    Accessibility: Grade 3 – uneven surfaces, some hills

    Facilities: Limited street parking, no toilets on site

    Tracing the course of a gully, this short but picturesque walk takes you past granite boulders and the remnants of an old stone house. It’s particularly beautiful from July to November when the river flows and wildflowers bloom.

    3. Bibbulmun Track: Kalamunda to Mundaring Weir

    the Bibbulmun Track Northern Terminus, Kalamunda
    The legendary Bibbulmun Track winds through Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to Albany on the south coast. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    Distance: 1734 kilometres one-way (or return sections)

    Getting there: 40 minutes from Perth.

    Accessibility: Grade 4; steep sections and loose gravel in parts.

    Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, water access along the track.

    A taste of the legendary Bibbulmun in just a few hours – this stretch leads you through dripping forest, across babbling streams, over wooden bridges and rocky features. It’s not the full multiweek trail, but you’ll feel the essence: remoteness, changing terrain and a satisfying sense of distance. Perfect if you want to push your legs without committing to days.

    4. Zamia Trail, Bold Park

    Distance: 5.1-kilometre loop (1.5 hours)

    Getting there: 15 minutes from Perth CBD

    Accessibility: Grade 3 – compacted limestone, moderate inclines

    Facilities: Carpark, scenic lookouts, rest benches

    This well-marked trail loops through native bushland in Bold Park, offering sweeping views across the Indian Ocean and Perth city skyline. There are several lookout points to pause and take it in, and it’s a peaceful walk year-round.

    5. Kitty’s Gorge, Serpentine National Park

    swimming in the natural pool at Serpentine Falls, Perth
    Swim in the natural pool at Serpentine Falls. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    Distance: 16.5 kilometres return (or 14-kilometre loop depending on route) (46 hours)

    Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

    Accessibility: Grade 3; some steep steps and loose gravel terrains; slippery when wet.

    Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, shaded spots.

    This trail gives rewarding variety – cascading creeks, waterfalls, granite outcrops, dense bushland. There are scenic diversions like Stacey’s Loop, and quieter moments if you start from Jarrahdale. Keep an eye on the time, because returning along steeper ascents can test your legs.

    6. Jorgensen Park Trail, Kalamunda

    Distance: 2.7-kilometre loop (1 hour)

    Getting there: 30 mins from Perth CBD

    Accessibility: Grade 2  – former golf course, easy terrain

    Facilities: Carpark, nearby toilets

    An easy-going loop that follows old Kalamunda Gold Club fairways and weaves through bushland, occasionally intersecting with the Bibbulmun Track. The trail takes you through dense bushland that opens up onto stunning valley views.

    7. Baldwin’s Bluff Trail, Serpentine National Park

    Serpentine Falls from above
    Soak up sweeping views of Serpentine Falls and the valley below. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    Distance: 6-kilometre loop (2 hours)

    Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

    Accessibility: Grade 4; steep in parts, rocky surfaces; best for hikers with good footwear.

    Facilities: Picnic areas and public toilets; same park amenities as Kitty’s Gorge.

    Less travelled than its neighbour Kitty’s Gorge, Baldwin’s Bluff offers solitude. The climb to the summit yields sweeping views of Serpentine Falls and the valley below, framed by jarrah and marri woodland. It’s a compact hike but doesn’t skimp on impact.

    8. Trigg Bushland Reserve Trail

    Distance: 3.4-kilometre loop (40 minutes)

    Getting there: 20 mins from Perth

    Accessibility: Grade 2 – compacted paths, some undulations

    Facilities: Informal parking, trail signage

    Tucked between suburb and sea, this coastal bushland trail is a springtime favourite with wildflower enthusiasts. You’ll be treated to sea glimpses from elevated spots, and the loop’s short length makes it ideal for a brisk walk or an easy nature escape.

    9. Palm Terrace Walk, Forrestfield

    Lesmurdie Falls, Palm Terrace Walk, Forrestfield
    Walk to the spectacular Lesmurdie Falls in the Mundy Regional Park. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

    Distance: 5.5-kilometre loop (13 hours)

    Getting there: 30 minutes from Perth.

    Accessibility: Grade 3; sections of steep climb; some loose gravel.

    Facilities: Public toilets, picnic spots, water access, scenic lookout points.

    An underrated gem in the Perth Hills, this loop delivers views you’ll remember – especially if you take the detour to Lesmurdie Falls. The trail edges past ridges and valleys, through native bush, offering quiet moments away from the crowds. Best when the wildflowers bloom.

    10. Numbat Trail, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary

    th Avon Valley as seen from Numbat Trail, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary
    Take in spectacular views of the surrounding Avon Valley. (Image: Tiff Watson)

    Distance: 12-kilometre loop (35 hours)

    Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

    Accessibility: Grade 3; some steep switchbacks and rough terrain.

    Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas; booking may be required in certain seasons.

    This trail is a rich mix of wildlife, water and elevation. You’ll begin by the lake, climb through White Gum Forest up to a lookout, then wind through woodlands and ridges. In the green season it’s lush, alive with birds and blooms – a real immersive nature escape.

    11. Sixty Foot Falls, Ellis Brook Valley Reserve

    Distance: 2-kilometre loop (1 hour)

    Getting there: 1 hour from Perth.

    Accessibility: Grade 4; steep sections especially on ascent/descent; watch for slippery parts after rain.

    Facilities: Car park, picnic areas, public toilets and lookouts with views.

    Don’t underestimate this short trail – the climb is steep, but the reward is big: views over Ellis Brook Valley, striking falls (especially after rain), and varied terrain that keeps each step interesting. A perfect quick but satisfying hike.