Top Camp Spots: From Forest to Coast

✍🏽 By Janice Platt

Be inspired time and time again with endless camping opportunities studded across diverse Great Southern landscapes.

From admiring the canopy of whispering forests to hearing the raw power of crashing waves, wake up to the sounds of nature after a night under the stars in the Great Southern.

The options to feel at one with your scenic surrounds are abundant here. Whether you prefer basic camping in nature, or the comforts of a scenic caravan park shaded by trees, here are a few of our favourite spots to inspire.

This peaceful and beautifully maintained property is a slice of paradise, set to a backdrop of the majestic Porongurup Range. It beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts with an irresistible blend of awe-inspiring landscapes and unparalleled tranquillity. At the heart of Porongurup Range Tourist Park, you’ll discover a peaceful camping having where you can pitch your tent or park your caravan under a canopy of ancient trees. For greater creature comforts, stay in a delightful self-contained chalet where everything you need is within reach.

As day turns to night, be prepared to be awestruck by a dazzling display of stars in the unpolluted southern hemisphere sky, a celestial spectacle that city dwellers can only dream of. Settle in with a cosy camp kitchen meal and eat next to the warming fire in the cooler months, or dine in at Maleeya’s Thai Café nearby. Maleeya’s serves truly authentic Thai food in a unique and seemingly remote setting. It’s quite the surprise walking in at lunch to find people have flocked from far and wide to fill the isolate venue.

The scenic Porongurup Tourist Park itself is worth exploring for a dose of serenity before embarking on one of the many trails around the range, or visiting one of the several boutique wineries or distilleries studded throughout the region.

For hikers and explorers, Porongurup National Park is a dream come true. The Porongurup Range boasts a network of trails that cater to all levels of fitness and experience, each leading you deeper into the heart of this natural wonderland.

Whether you’re scaling the famous Castle Rock for panoramic vistas from the Granite Skywalk or wandering through serene bushland filled with wildflowers, every step is a journey into the sublime. Wildlife enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise here, as the park is home to a diverse range of native animals and bird species.

If you’re looking to climb the tallest peak in the Great Southern, Stirling Range Retreat is the base camp of choice. Nestled in the footholds of the majestic Stirling Range National Park, the retreat offers a range of accommodation options from self-contained cabins to caravan and camping spots with unfettered views of the mountains.

Wander the range of trails that surround the retreat to discover native wildlife and enjoy the burst of colour as wildflowers bloom throughout the year. Pick up the native bird booklet from reception and tick off the birds you spot as you go – you can hear and see them all around.

Relax after an exhilarating day of exploring the local trails. Feel the aches fade away while lazing in the seasonal swimming pool or make new friends around the communal camp-fire pit. The sun’s rays will transform the sky into a myriad of colours while it gradually dips below the horizon to the west, before coming alive again with a spectacular display of glittering stars on a clear night.

Whether you’re seeking adventure on the hiking trails, tranquillity in nature, or a romantic getaway under the stars, Stirling Range Retreat promises the opportunity to reconnect with your natural surroundings and yourself in a meditative setting.

Albany is a beautiful seaside city steeped in history, surrounded by beaches and endless rugged coastlines. Enjoy the dappled shade provided by the peppermint trees and be lulled into relaxation from the sound of gentle waves when staying at BIG4 Emu Beach Holiday Park, an idyllic holiday destination in Albany.

Set up your tent or camper amid the cluster of shady trees, or book into one of the park’s, luxury self-contained chalets set just 100 metres from the water, with a patio, barbecue and ample modern amenities.

Families will be charmed by the variety of activities for the little ones. Get lost in the nature playgrounds, cook up a feast on the barbecue, experience sheer delight on the jumping pillow or engage in friendly competition over a game of mini-golf. If that’s not enough, watch the kids’ faces light up when they spot the brand-new splash park complete with water slides and giant tipping buckets! It’s a major attraction for the park that will bring joy to all who experience it.

Enjoy a coffee at the scenic Emu Point Café around the corner or grab some fish and chips from the Squid Shack to eat on the beach and watch as the sunset paints another stunning show across the sky. In summer, Big4 Emu Beach organises pop-up food vans, bringing added vibrancy to the community and tasty food to feast on.

Sheltered by the calm waters of King George Sound (Mammang Kort), BIG4 Middleton Beach Holiday Park is a serene getaway located just a short drive from Albany, Western Australia. This award-winning park boasts 500 metres of immaculate beachfront, ideal for a variety of water activities from gentle swims to exhilarating kite surfing. Accommodations range from luxurious three-bedroom beach houses with stunning ocean views to cosy cabins and expansive caravan and camping sites. Park amenities, including a solar-heated pool, indoor hydro spa, and a mini-theatre, ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. With its direct beach access and close proximity to local dining and cultural spots, BIG4 Middleton Beach (Binalup) offers an idyllic coastal retreat.

If you like staying by the beach, there’s no better place to set up camp than at Cheynes Beach Caravan Park. Just a short walk from the white sands of Cheynes Beach, this caravan park offers cabins, chalets, and spacious camping sites for caravans and tents all within their stunning 15-acre property.

Wake up to majestic views of the ocean, traipse down to the turquoise waters of the protected cove and see if you’re lucky enough to glimpse the gentle giants of the sea, humpbacks and southern right whales, on their migration to warmer waters during the months of June to October.

A true paradise for nature lovers right by sandy white beaches and vibrant national parks, spend your days out on the water fishing, swimming or on your paddleboard. Lace up your boots and take to trails to explore the inlet and unique rock formations of the area and admire wildflowers in abundance following winter rains.

Admire the azure blue waters of Bremer Bay, beckoning you to dive in, when staying at this four-star boutique park. Offering easy access to eight pristine beaches, the otherworldly beauty surrounding Bremer Bay Beaches Caravan Park is endless. Even spot orcas in the wild from the vantage point of Bremer Bay Canyon, where you can jump on a tour during the season from January to April to learn about this apex predator.

With Bremer Bay being the ‘gateway to the Fitzgerald River National Park’, expect pristine wilderness at your fingertips. The national park is regarded as one of the most diverse botanical regions in the world. ‘Beaches’ is the ideal base to return to after a day spent soaking up the sun on secluded beaches or wandering breathtaking walk trails.

The Great Southern region is home to countless camping spots, inviting explorers to pitch a tent and experience a night under a blanket of stars.

Shelley Beach is the only place in West Cape Howe National Park accessible by 2WD vehicles, making it a popular choice for beach-loving campers. Wind through lush hills and come out to a wide sweep of beach, with dazzling blue waters enclosed at either end by huge boulders. Pitch a tent at Shelley Beach campground and enjoy sheltered coves for swimming and fishing. Note this campground is for tents only and is unsuitable for caravans or RVs.

Looking for a campground in the Great Southern that also allows for your furry friend to come for the ride? Parry Beach Campground in William Bay National Park is dog friendly, offers spectacular views, and makes for a great base to scope out the surf. Minutes away from beloved spots like Green’s Pool and Elephant Rocks, spend the day scrambling over rocks, and slip into the crystal-clear waters of William Bay.

One of six nature-based campgrounds located within City of Albany coastal Reserves, Cosy Corner is a sheltered beach perfect for swimming and whiling the days away. Situated between Albany and Denmark, set up in this campsite surrounded by shady peppermint trees and coastal heath. Located 35 kilometres west of Albany townsite and currently $15 per site/night (2 x adults and 2 x children), Cosy Corner East is accessible by 2WD and is also suitable for caravans.

Head inland and camp out by the largest lake in the Shire of Cranbrook, the beautiful Lake Poorrarecup. Situated close to Frankland River, make your way to the wineries and sample nature’s pantry, or be at one with the water and spend the day on the lake swimming, skiing or boating.