Western Australia (WA) – The True Frontier

WA is huge. You don't just "pop over" for a weekend. Camping here requires preparation—you need extra water, extra fuel, and reliable gear. But the reward is untouched coastline and red earth that looks like Mars.

☀️ Best Time to Visit

Verdict: Spring (Sept-Nov). The wildflowers are blooming and the flies haven't taken over yet.

Summer (Dec-Feb)
18°C - 32°C - Hot & Dry

Autumn (Mar-May)
14°C - 26°C - Great for North

Winter (Jun-Aug)
8°C - 19°C - Wet in Perth

Spring (Sep-Nov)
12°C - 23°C - Wildflowers!

⚠️ Watch Out: The Wind. The "Fremantle Doctor" (afternoon sea breeze) hits hard. Secure your awning.

Why Go Camping Here?

The South West: Margaret River and Albany offer world-class wines, tall timber forests, and stunning cold-water beaches.
The Coral Coast: Where the desert meets the ocean. Ninja-red rocks contrast against turquoise water at places like Exmouth and Coral Bay.
The Kimberley: The final frontier. Rugged 4WD tracks, waterfalls, and heat. It’s difficult to get to, but unforgettable (think El Questro and the Gibb River Road).
Esperance: Famous for the whitest sand in Australia and water so clear it looks fake.

Must-Do Camping Activities

Swim with Whale Sharks: Camp at Cape Range National Park (Exmouth) and take a boat out to swim with the gentle giants of the ocean (Mar-July).
Camp at Lucky Bay: Located in Cape Le Grand National Park. The kangaroos here sunbathe on the beach. It’s the ultimate Instagram shot, but actually worth the hype.
Climb the Gloucester Tree: Near Pemberton, you can climb 53m up a giant Karri tree on metal spikes. Not for the faint-hearted (or those with vertigo).
Explore Karijini Gorges: Karijini National Park offers slot canyons and swimming holes carved out of ancient red rock. Fern Pool is a refreshing reward after a hot hike.
Beach Camp at Quobba: Stay at the "Blowholes" campsite. It’s rugged, windy, and raw—perfect for hardcore fishermen and surfers.

WA Gear Essentials

WA is big country. Distance is your enemy and durability is your friend.

Water: Carry Jerry Cans. Never rely on the next town having water.
Shelter: A Canvas Swag is best—dust-proof and quick to set up on the move.
Recovery: MaxTrax (or generic tracks) for the soft sand.

The Golden Rule: Two is one, and one is none. Always carry backup water and fuel.

🏆 Our "Add to Cart" Recommendations:

Best Swag: Darche Dusk to Dawn – Bombproof canvas that handles the red dust.
Essential Recovery: Maxtrax MKII – Don't go off-road without them.

Campsites in Western Australia

Latest Posts

The “Pay-to-Play” Cheat Sheet: Understanding National Park & Hut Fees (AU & NZ)
Transparency Note: Pack and Pitch is reader-supported. While this guide is purely informational, our site contains affiliate links to gear we love. If you click one and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This keeps the lights on and the campfire burning. The Problem? It’s Not…
The Critter Defense Guide: Best Camping Insect Repellent & Tactics (2026)
There is a specific sound that haunts every Australian camper. It’s not the howl of a dingo. It’s the scritch-scratch of a possum trying to open your Esky at 2 AM. Or worse: it’s the silence of waking up, pouring a bowl of Nutri-Grain, and realizing the “raisins” are actually 500 meat ants swarming your…
Why I Finally Ditched the Supermarket First Aid Kit (And What I Bought Instead)
Don’t be a statistic. That sounds dramatic, I know. But if you’ve ever tried to find a pair of tweezers in a $20 supermarket first aid kit while your 6-year-old screams about a splinter, you know that panic is the enemy. Most of us treat first aid kits as a “tick box” item. We chuck…
Ultimate Sleeping Bag Guide: Down vs. Synthetic for Aussie & Kiwi Campers
There you are, staring at a wall of nylon sausages at your local camping store. Some are tiny, some are the size of a beer keg. Some claim they will keep you alive on Everest, while others look like they wouldn’t survive a sleepover in the lounge room. And the price tags? They make no…
5 Best Camping Stoves for Families (That Actually Simmer)
The “Hangry” Prevention Guide We need to talk about the wind. If you test a $20 camping stove in your backyard on a sunny Sunday, it works perfectly. But the second you take that same stove to a coastal campsite with a stiff 15-knot breeze, it becomes a paperweight. I have stood over a cheap…