10 of the best Margaret River camping spots

Monique CeccatoBy Monique Ceccato
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Planning to go camping in Margaret River? We’ve got all the information you’ll need before you go.

There’s a lot to love about Western Australia’s Margaret River region: the coastline, the rolling farmland, and the world-class wines and fresh produce. Like most regional areas, driving around Margaret River is the best way to see it, travelling slowly and stopping frequently. While there are plenty of accommodation options around the region, the flexibility and freedom of camping is unparalleled. Use this as your guide to Margaret River camping because in such a diverse region, where you choose to camp matters.

How to get to Margaret River

If you fly into Perth, Margaret River is a three-hour drive south. But, Jetstar also flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Busselton Airport, which is a 45-minute drive from Margaret River.

Permits and regulations

No permits are required to camp in Margaret River. Free camping in the bush, on the beach, or in residential streets is illegal in the region, and all campers must stay in dedicated campgrounds or caravan parks. To book any of the campsites in WA’s national parks, you’ll have to visit Park Stay WA .

National parks and forests campsites

Canebrake Pool

the upper Margaret River within Canebrake Pool Campground
Escape to a secluded bush camping site in the middle of the bush. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

Camp right on the banks of the upper Margaret River at Canebrake Pool Campground . It’s a secluded spot and takes approximately 25 minutes to drive there from the Margaret River township. There are just nine sites here, all unpowered and shaded beneath fragrant Peppy and Marri trees. They’re all a matter of steps from the deep, cool Canebrake Pool, too. Bring your SUP board or kayak for a paddle on the water, or slip in for a refreshing dip. Though there are freshwater fish and marron in the pool, fishing for them is prohibited.

Address: Canebrake Road, Treeton

Price: $15 adults, $10 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

Facilities: Firepit, drop toilets, bins, picnic tables

Accessibility: Limited information

Dog-friendly?: Yes, on a lead

Jarrahdene Campground

the Jarrahdene Campground in Margaret River
Stay in an unpowered campsite in the bush. (Image: Kevin Smith)

Caravans, campers, vans, and tents are all welcome at Jarrahdene Campground , some 25 minutes out of town. It’s one of the larger Margaret River campsites, with 36 different-sized and differently surfaced sites (all unpowered). Jarrahdene was originally a timber mill that opened in the late 1800s and closed in 1913. On the short interpretive walks through the surrounding Marri, Jarrah, and Peppy bushland, you can still find remnants of the old mill to explore.

Address: Jarrahdene Rd, Boranup

Price: $20 adults, $15 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

Facilities: Barbecue, dump point, fire rings, picnic tables, drop toilets, bins, sinks with running water

Accessibility: Varying surfaces mean low accessibility

Dog-friendly?: No

Chapman Pool Campsite

the Blackwood River at Chapman Pool Campsite
Set up a picnic by the river. (Image: Bronwyn Wells)

The Margaret River isn’t the only major river that flows through this region; there’s also the Blackwood River, which opens into the Southern Ocean at Augusta. You can camp right by it at the Chapman Pool Campsite , 25 minutes from town. The nine small sites sit right near where Chapman Brook intersects with the river, separated from the water by an expansive wooden deck perfect for picnicking on. Enjoy swimming, SUP boarding, kayaking, and fishing at the pool, or take the short walking tracks through the surrounding bush.

Address: Warner Glen Road, Warner Glen

Price: $15 adults, $10 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

Facilities: Pit toilets, sheltered gas barbecues, fire rings, tables, benches

Accessibility: Limited information

Dog-friendly?: Yes, on a lead

Boranup Campground

the Boranup Campground, Margaret River
Camp right in Boranup Forest. (Image: DBCA)

Boranup Campground is as close as you’ll come to seclusion while camping in the Margaret River region. There are just seven small sites here on the edge of the Boranup Forest, each big enough only for a tent and a small car or a small camper van. The whole campground is unpowered, and there’s no running water or cooking facilities, so come prepared (just not with generators; they’re not allowed). If you need to pop into town, it’s a half-hour drive away.

Address: Boranup Road, Boranup

Price: $15 adults, $10 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

Facilities: Picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets

Accessibility: Limited information

Dog-friendly?: No

Conto Campground

a tent on Conto Campground, Margaret River
Set up camp on the coastal headland. (Image: DBCA)

Perhaps the most popular site for Margaret River camping is Conto Campground , both because of its unparalleled location and its size. It’s on the coastal headland and within striking distance of Contos Beach, the Boranup Forest, and the famed Cape to Cape hiking trail. A whopping 109 sites are available for campers in unpowered motorhomes, caravans, vans, campers, and tents. You can’t book a specific site, but you can specify which of the eight sections you’d like to stay in.

The 37 sites in the Chuditch and Quenda areas are on a crushed limestone surface, and if you’re in a motorhome, van, or caravan, reverse-in only. The amenities are also great, with sheltered food prep, barbecue areas, and clean pit toilets. Campers in tents can stay in the Wanil area, a fenced-off space specifically for tents and swags, with parking available outside. Gas barbecues are available for use here, too. The remaining areas are mixed-use, all with pit toilets and only some with barbecues.

Address: Conto Road, Boranup

Price: $20 adults, $15 concession, $5 kids (bookings essential)

Facilities: Each area within the campground differs

Accessibility: Parking at all sites is on compact sand, with some paved paths. Bollards at the parking are spaced 1.2m apart to allow wheelchairs. There are some wheelchair-accessible toilets.

Dog-friendly?: No

Farms and caravan/camping parks

Big Valley Campsite

Get a taste of the farm life by setting up camp on one of the Margaret River region’s working sheep farms, ten minutes southeast of the Margaret River township. Big Valley Campsite has space for tents, campers, caravans, or motorhomes on powered or unpowered sites. It’s the perfect stop for families, with kids able to meet the farm animals in a petting enclosure and join in on daily sheep feedings. The nearby walking trails are also a family favourite, while the park’s proximity to the nearby wineries goes down well with the over-18 crowd.

Address: 46 Baronia Road, Rosa Glen

Price: From $40/night (unpowered)

Facilities: Camp kitchen, dump point, power, water, bathrooms, washing machine, barbecues

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Contact for more information

Dog-friendly?: Yes

Fair Harvest Permaculture Campground

Snag yourself a tent, caravan, or motorhome site at the Fair Harvest Permaculture Campground when it’s open to the public—they close annually from mid-June to mid-September for permaculture course guests—and you’re in for a treat. The expansive gardens and surrounding forest make this a picturesque place to stay, and you’ll also get great insight into a more sustainable way of life. Enjoy a hot rainwater shower (on a timer to curb excessive water usage) and the convenience of clean, composting toilets. You can also do your bit to minimise waste with the farm’s comprehensive recycling system. Feel free to marvel at the bountiful fruit and vegetable gardens, but refrain from taking any produce.

Address: 426 Carters Road, Margaret River

Price: From $36/night

Facilities: Fire pit, camp kitchen, cafe, rainwater showers (2), composting toilets (2)

Accessibility: Call for information

Dog-friendly?: Yes, on lead. There is also one designated off-lead paddock

Gracetown Caravan Park

a tent at Gracetown Caravan Park, Margaret River
There are stylish tents available for an elevated camping experience.

A tennis court, an 18-hole mini golf course, and a season of ‘movies under the stars’: the A+ amenities keep coming at Gracetown Caravan Park . With the Margaret River township 15 km away (and Cowaramup Bay 2.5 km), it may be a rural campsite, but it has everything you could ever need. And, because it’s on 13 acres of bushland, each camp and caravan site (powered or unpowered) has plenty of space between them, often separated by a row of trees. It’s the holy grail of Margaret River camping.

Address: 744 Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown

Price: From $35/night (unpowered)

Facilities: Laundry, boat parking, convenience store, free wi-fi, 18-hole mini golf, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, playground, camp kitchen, toilet block, baby bath

Accessibility: Call for more information

Dog-friendly?: No

Hamelin Bay Holiday Park

It doesn’t get much better than setting up the tent, caravan, or motorhome a stone’s throw from the beachfront. At Hamelin Bay Holiday Park , you get just that. Walking down to the protected waters of the park’s namesake bay takes less than five minutes; it’s a favourite for families keen on safe swimming and beach fishing. To throw the line in further out, bring the boat and launch it from the ramp. The bay is also known for its resident ray population that glides through the shallows daily, searching the sandy bottom for a feed. They’re harmless, but giving them their distance is essential when you see them.

Address: Hamelin Bay Road West, Hamelin Bay

Price: From $40/night (unpowered)

Facilities: Fire pits, water (bore), kiosk, camp kitchen, barbecues, boat ramp, ablution block, laundry, playground, power

Accessibility: Call for more information

Dog-friendly?: No

RAC Margaret River Nature Park

the RAC Margaret River Nature Park surrounded by lush greenery
RAC Margaret River Nature Park is tucked away amongst shady trees.

Of all the options you have for camping in Margaret River, RAC Margaret River Nature Park is the closest to the township. But you don’t have to give up nature and seclusion for the convenience. The facility sits within the Wooditjup National Park, surrounded by tall Karri, Marri, and Jarrah trees, which you can ride through on the numerous mountain biking trails. All campsites are powered, big enough for caravans and motorhomes, and on compact ground. If you’re tenting, heavy-duty pegs are needed.

Address: Bramley National Park, Carters Road, Margaret River

Price: From $47/night (powered)

Facilities: Dump point, laundry facilities, water, barbecue area, nature playground, camp kitchen, ablution block, free wi-fi, kiosk, bike hire

Accessibility: Accessible bathroom. Contact the park for more accessibility information

Dog-friendly?: No

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Monique Ceccato
Monique Ceccato is a freelance travel writer and photographer hailing from Perth. Though she now spends most of her time overseas, WA's sandy beaches, jarrah forests and world-class food and wine scene will always feel like home.
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Inspire your senses with these iconic East Kimberley stays

    Jennifer EnnionBy Jennifer Ennion
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    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.