10 of the best Margaret River camping spots

Monique CeccatoBy Monique Ceccato
hero media
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

Discover the best restaurants in Margaret River

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.
See all articles
Margaret River Glamping
Margaret River

The most incredible places to go glamping in Margaret River

Camping, but make it chic: from sleeping among olive groves to hitting the hay in a geodesic dome, here are six of the best places to go glamping in Margaret River.

Read more
Djurapin Spa Margaret River
Margaret River

6 amazing Airbnbs to book in Margaret River

Whether you want to bed down by the beach or book a stay at a secluded country cottage we’ve rounded up the best Airbnbs in Margaret River.

Read more
A photo of a white building and a swimming pool surrounded by trees and a river viewed from above.
Margaret River

The best accommodation in Margaret River

From oceanview apartments to wine country lodges and forested national park caravan sites, these are the breakout stars of Margaret River’s accommodation scene.

Read more
hero media

The ultimate Margaret River road trip itinerary for food & wine lovers

    Monique CeccatoBy Monique Ceccato
    Continue
    Time your visit to Margaret River just right, and you can spend the ultimate weekend wining, dining and exploring the region with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

    Wine, world-class produce, surf, sun and beaches: it’s an alluring combination. And the reason so many pin the Margaret River region high on their travel hit-lists. There’s drawcard after drawcard to the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and the Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover food and wine festival showcases the best of it over the course of one weekend in November. It’s never been easier to sip, see and savour the Margaret River region.

    In partnership with Pair’d Margaret River Region, Range Rover invites you on a seven-day itinerary of refined adventure, where luxury and exploration go hand in hand. It’s the perfect WA road trip, and there’s no better way to do it than in a Range Rover.

    Day 1

    the pool at Pullman Bunker Bay
    Check into Pullman Bunker Bay.

    There’s no more popular West Australian road trip route than that between Perth and the Margaret River Region. It’s an easily digestible, three-hour drive, with worthy pit stops along the way.

    Make the first of them one hour and 15 minutes in, at Lake Clifton. Here, find a 2000-year-old living thrombolite reef. Drive for a further 40 minutes and chance meeting some of Bunbury’s dolphin population at Koombana Bay.

    Pullman Bunker Bay is the final stop, just over three hours south of Perth. This beachfront, five-star resort is the ultimate base for exploring the Margaret River Wine region.

    Day 2

    After a leisurely morning breakfast with an ocean view, start your Range Rover and head towards the Dunsborough town centre. Browsing the decidedly coastal-themed goods of the town’s many independent boutiques is a great way to while away the hours, breaking up the sartorial with an artisan gelato snack stop, or some good old-fashioned Australian bakery fare.

    Leave room; you’ll need it for the Good Natured Gathering  dinner at Wayfinder. Indulge in a four-course feast by chef Felipe Montiel, which uses produce from the winery’s market garden to enhance a selection of sustainably sourced seafood and meat. But food is just the support act. It’s organic wine that’s the star of the show, generously poured and expertly paired to each dish.

    Day 3

    Settle in for cabernet at Cape Mentelle Winery.

    With a grand total of 20 wines from vintage 2022 to try, it’s a good thing Cape Mentelle’s International Cabernet Tasting kicks off early. Make your way to the estate for a 10:00 AM start, where a global selection of wines will be poured blind, before a long lunch by Tiller Dining is served.

    Given that the Margaret River is responsible for more than 20 per cent of Australia’s fine wine production, it’s only right to delve into it while in the area.

    Continue exploring the region via taste and terroir aboard Alison Maree, a whale-watching catamaran, as you cruise Geographe Bay . Admire the rolling green hills and crisp white beaches of Quindalup in sunset’s golden light, all the while sipping through the Clairault Streicker catalogue and dining on canapes.

    For a more substantial dinner, venture into Busselton for a seven-course British x Australian mash-up , courtesy of Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion) and Oliver Kent (Updown Farmhouse, UK). They’ll be putting their rustic yet refined spin on the likes of local marron, wagyu and abalone – championing the simple beauty of the world-class ingredients.

    Day 4

    Pair'd Beach Club
    Elevate your dining experiences at Pair’d X Range Rover Beach Club.

    Wrap your fingers around a wine glass and wiggle your toes into the sand at Pair’d Beach Club x Range Rover on Meelup Beach. Sit down to an intimate wine session with sommelier Cyndal Petty – or a four-course feast by Aaron Carr of Yarri – and revel in the open-air beach club, bar and restaurant’s laidback coastal vibe. It’s a whole new way to experience one of the region’s most renowned beaches.

    Follow up a day in the sun with a casual Italian party at Mr Barvel Wines . Purchase wines –including the elusive, sold-out Nebbia – by the glass and enjoy canapes with the towering Karri forest as a backdrop.

    If you’d prefer to keep it local, head to Skigh Wines for the New Wave Gathering , where the region’s independent wine makers and their boundary-pushing wines will be on show. Street-style eats, a DJ and complimentary wine masterclasses complete the experience.

    Day 5

    pair'd Grand Tasting
    Taste your way through Howard Park Wines. (Image: C J Maddock)

    Spend the morning at your leisure, driving the winding roads through the Boranup Karri forest in your Range Rover. Soak in the views at Contos Beach, and call into the small cheese, chocolate and preserve producers along the way.

    Make your next stop Howard Park Wines for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines . Numerous wine labels will be pouring their catalogues over four hours, accompanied by food from chefs Matt Moran and Silvia Colloca, with live opera providing the soundtrack.

    Cap off a big weekend with one last hurrah at Busselton Pavilion. Six ‘local legends’ – chefs Brendan Pratt (Busselton Pavilion), Mal Chow (Chow’s Table), Aaron Carr (Yarri), Ben Jacob (Lagoon Yallingup), Corey Rozario (Dahl Daddies) and Laura Koentjoro (Banksia Tavern) – will be preparing a dish each. Dance the night away as vinyl spins and the sun sets on another day.

    Day 6

    Ngilgi Cave western australia
    Head underground. (Image: Tourism WA)

    After a busy few days of wining and dining, it’s wise to observe a rest day. There’s no easier task than unwinding in the Margaret River Region, also famous for its high concentration of world-class beaches.

    Relax on the grassy knoll as you watch the region’s most experienced surfers braving the World Surf League break at Surfer’s Point, or don your own wetsuit and try out one of Gracetown’s more beginner-friendly waves. Swimmers will find their Eden at Meelup Beach, Eagle Bay, or Point Piquet, where the sand is brilliantly white and the water as still as a backyard swimming pool.

    Not into sun, sand, and surf? Head underground at Mammoth Cave, just one of the region’s many stalactite-filled caves.

    Day 7

    Burnt Ends event at Pair'd
    Farewell the Margaret River.

    Pack up your Range Rover with new favourite wines and newfound memories, ready for the three-hour journey back to Perth.

    Prebook your discovery journey through the south-west corner of Western Australia with Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover.

    Pair’d Margaret River Region is proudly owned by the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA.