Best campsites in Western Australia with kids

The best campsites in Western Australia for families

Australia harbors life to hundreds of amazing campsites all over the country. When road tripping through Australia you get the chance to camp out at beaches, right at the edge of a gorge, sometimes totally free and mostly off the beaten path. And almost all of the campings are great for a family stay. I’m not exaggerating when I say that Australia offers some of the best camping in the world. And lots of these top campsites can be found in Western Australia (WA). WA is blessed with beautiful scenery and there’s no better way to discover WA than by (4WD) camper, caravan or tent.

Camping in Western Australia is an adventure your family will never forget. That’s one of the reasons why I wrote up this list of the best campsites in Western Australia with kids. The other being that there is so much to do in Western Australia that you need to know where to stay when checking out all of the amazing things to do in Western Australia with kids.

Before we get to the good stuff I want to start with some basic info.

Camping spots for 4wd cars

Not all of the sites on this list are accessible for 2wd cars or campers. Some of them are only reachable if you have a 4wd. That will give you more freedom to camp out off the beaten track. You can sleep in the bush, next to the ocean and at the more remote campsites in National Parks. Back to basics with only the well known camping showers (aka cleaning yourself with baby wipes).

But it won’t matter if your road trip through Western Australia isn’t done by 4wd, because there are dozens of incredible campsites accessible to all types of cars. And lots of them can be found on this list.

Staying overnight in a National Park

We bought ourselves a National Park pass for the parks in WA. It saves you from the hassle of having to purchase separate tickets at every NP and it’s also cheaper. You can buy it from the website of The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), print it out and display it visibly in your vehicle. Depending on how long you’re staying and how many NP’s you’re visiting you can choose the best card for you and your family.  Some of the top things to do in Western Australia with kids take place in Western Australia’s National Parks.

If you’re staying in a National Park overnight you’ll have to drop off a fee in one of the letter boxes at the entrance of the parks or at their visitors center, if there is one.

Campfires

On some of the pictures below you’ll spot us having a campfire. Please note that campfires aren’t allowed everywhere. And sometimes only in communal pits. Especially when fire restrictions are in place at times where the risk of bushfires is higher than usual. Always comply with instructions and respect the rules and regulations.

Mixing it up for the kids and parents

This list of the best campsites in Western Australia is especially interesting for families. All of these popular camping spots are great for parents as well as their children. They offer an encounter with nature that both parents and their kids will surely enjoy. Camping with kids can be tough, but if you mix it up enough for everyone to enjoy, it’s surely rewarding.

We advise you all to switch it up to keep it fun for every member of your family. Your kids will want to play with peers and that’s when it’s time to hit up one of the family campsites on this list. But after a long hike with kids, whom may or may not have been walking just a tad too long, it’s surely convenient to have your mobile home right in the heart or at the edge of the park you were hiking in. And what about some quiet family time? Isn’t it great to stay at a beach, just you and your family? With our recommendations you’ll be able to mix it up just as you please while on your ultimate road trip through Western Australia.

Prices

All prices mentioned in this article are applicable to high season based on caravans and campers, not on tents.

Henry White Oval Campground

in Yanchep National Park

Hanging out with kangaroos

First on this list is a true family favorite. It’s Henry White Oval Campground. A campsite in Yanchep National Park. This park is located about 50 km’s north of Perth. It’s a simple but sweet campsite. Only about 20 pitches, grassy and well kept, spread out over a large field. The pitches are large, divided by low timber fences and the views are magnificent. Why you ask? Well, your neighbors are kangaroos. They will hop around the site all day long. They won’t come to close, they’re still shy, and will only come at times when it’s not that busy. Kids will love it and so will their parents.

Koala boardwalk

Kangaroos aren’t the only Australian locals you’ll meet while in Yanchep National Park. You’ll get a chance to meet some koala’s. Not as wild as the roos (you gotta love Australian slang), because they’re kept in a sanctuary. But still a bonus that makes sleeping at Henry White Oval Campground all the more appealing. Add the possibility of visiting caves in this NP and I guess it’s time for you all to pack your bags and head on out to this campsite. It truly deserves a spot on this list of best campsites in Western Australia with kids.

What else?

I already mentioned that the first campground on this list of best campsites in Western Australia with kids is a simple one. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any facilities. Let’s start with the basics. You can take a hot shower and use the flushing toilets. There’s a camp kitchen ready for you to use with 240v power outlets and gas bbq’s. This campground is accessible to all types of cars.

Costs

Your stay here will set you back about 9 euro per adult and about 6 euro per child (ages 5 to 16). Make sure you book your stay online in advance (fyi: we did it on the parking lot, one hour before checking in). They won’t accept you as a guest if you didn’t prebook.

Tip: make sure to come early. You won’t be able to pick a pitch yourself. The best spots are allocated to early birds.

Anchorage Caravan Park

right next to Kalbarri National Park

Starting point for your hikes through Kalbarri NP

The Anchorage Caravan Park is located about 3 kilometers from the Kalbarri National Park headquarters. The starting point for your hikes in this beauty of a NP. Be sure to add this NP to your road trip through Western Australia. It’s one of the best things to do in WA with kids. And if you want to spend a day or two in this park and stroll along the beach and the Murchison River this caravan park is an ideal base to explore this area of Western Australia.

Fun in and near the water

Located on the banks of the above mentioned Murchison River and within walking distance of the ocean, staying here will give you and your kids the chance to fish, swim or chill at the beach.

What else?

This is a place that I advise you to book ahead of your stay. It’s a popular family campground and is also used by fishermen and -women. In high season it will be difficult to get a pitch on arrival.

This caravan park has a lot to offer. A swimming pool, a large kitchen area with bbq’s and of course hot showers and flushing toilets. Add washing machines and a mobile bakery van that drives by all the campers, caravans and tents in the morning with fresh bread to this list and you know you’ll be able to relax a bit and charge your batteries in between all the exploring.

Since we lost our camera battery somewhere during the evening. We only bought a new one after checking out of this caravan park, so we only have one pic of this place. A dark one, as you can see. But don’t fret, google images will show you lots more pics and at the caravan parks website you’ll also find lots of pictures of their place.

Costs

Because of all on offer here this isn’t the cheapest campsite, but it’s worth the price. An unpowered site will cost you 24 euros per 2 guests per night, 19 euros per 1 guest per night. For a powered site you pay 26 euros per 2 guests per night and 23 if you’re the only adult. On top of that you pay an extra 4,50 euros per child, ages 5 to 16.

Herald Bight

in François Peron National Park

Camping out on the beach

Next up on this list of best campsites in Western Australia is a place that’s is absolutely in our top 5 of best places to stay, globally speaking. Not only as a camping spot, but including all the other types of accommodation we stayed at. Hotels, hostels, B&B’s and AirBnb’s included. Because, well, what can beat sleeping on a beach, spotting dolphins in the sea (granted, not as close up as at nearby Monkey Mia, but still) and hearing the waves while lying in your bed?

François Peron National Park offers more than one campsite to their visitors. This park deserves an overnight stay. We chose Herald Bight.

Only accessible by 4wd

The only part of this NP accessible to 2wd is the road that leads up to Peron Homestead. After that it’s 4wd only. At the start of the sandy roads there’s a spot where you can change your tyre pressure. This is also where you fill up an envelope with the amount that’s due for your stay in your park and camping out there. More on that later. For info about the other camping options within this NP check out the page dedicated to François Peron National Park on the website of the Parks and Wildlife Service. Now let’s get back to camping at Herald Bight.

History of Herald Bight

After you’ve reduced your tyre pressure you follow a rough sandy track and at the end of the track you’ll find Herald Bight. It used to be a pearling camp in the late 1880s and if you’re lucky you’ll find some old pearl shells on the beach.

What else?

You have a huge chance of sleeping at this campsite alone. Aside from the fact you can only get here by 4wd, some are put off by the lack of facilities. There’s nothing here except a toilet (non-flush).  You don’t even have to book. It’s first come first serve and believe me, because of its remoteness you’ll have the beach pretty much to yourselves.

Costs

I promised to get back to you about the prices. It’s 7 euros per adult per night and 2 euros per child per night (ages 5 to 16).

People Park Coral Bay

in Coral Bay at Ningaloo Reef

Choosing Ningaloo Reef

Ningaloo Reef is often one of the reasons for people to visit Western Australia. And rightly so. Its famous counterpart at the east coast, Great Barrier Reef, is hugely overcrowded and also, sadly enough, not in the best condition. That’s why more and more people opt for a visit the reef at the west coast of Australia.

Most campsites in the area of Ningaloo Reef are located in Coral Bay. The majority of them directly located at the beach. One of them is Peoples Park Coral Bay. Right next to the gorgeous turquoise water of Coral Bay. You can snorkel and see fish anywhere of the beach with amazing sunsets at your daily disposal.

Family caravan park

While you will spot the occasional grey nomad or shared campers with backpackers in them, most of the visitors of this campsite are families. One of the best features is that there’s no WiFi. That applies to almost all of Coral Bay, by the way.

I loved it, because the whole family is very present and will enjoy the beach, the sea, the reef and all the activities on offer with minimal digital disturbance. The park doesn’t have a pool or playground, but who needs those when the beach is right next door? There are large grass areas spread out over the campsite where there’s room to play.

Our biggest pet peeve as parents is the fact that at large caravan parks like this one there’s often lots of noise until midnight. Either from the guests or from the entertainment on offer. But I must say that that wasn’t the case here. No noise after 10pm and that’s also the moment that the lights at the facilities go out. Everyone applied to the rules and we all got a good night’s sleep.

Small shopping area

Just outside the entrance of the campsite you’ll find a small shopping area. We were really happy with that, because you can buy bags of ice cubes there, gas bottles and other things you might need for your camper or caravan. Shower amenities, laundry detergent and other things you might need to fill up on can also be found here. The kids can buy everything they need here to built their sandcastles with or get a snorkel to spot some fish of the bay.

Last but not least, you’ll find tour companies here that can book all kinds of reef tours for you. We recommend Coral Bay Eco Tours, they make sure that your encounters with wildlife are done ethically. I wrote more about our experience with them as part of the 10 things to do in WA with kids list and also as part of the ultimate road trip guide from Perth to Darwin.

You won’t find a restaurant here or on site itself, but you’ll find plenty of child friendly restaurants at a short walking distance.

What else?

The campsite is divided in two main areas. Both areas have their own block with hot showers, flushing toilets, baby baths and laundry facilities. Spread out over the park are four bbq areas with dishwashing facilities and large stone picnic tables. In addition to that there’s one large airconditioned open area kitchen with fridges and freezers. And also a lounge area with a tv.

All in all enough reasons to add this campsite to this list of best campsites in Western Australia with kids.

Costs

There are a few unpowered sites on a field in the back. Large pitches, no view of Coral Bay. We stayed there and we never missed it. The unpowered pitches cost 3 euros less per person. The powered pitches are 36 euros per 2 adults per night and 6 euros per child per night (again: ages 5 to 16). This park is one of only two caravan parks in Coral Bay. Make sure to book in advance if you arrive here during high season.

Tom Price Tourist Park

in Tom Price

Mining town

Adding this campground to the list of best campsites in Western Australia with kids is not because this camping in itself is fantastic. It’s added because it’s a good quality campsite, but more so because of its ideal location.

Let’s start with the location. Tom Price is a mining town that is worth a short visit. They mine iron ore here. It’s interesting to learn more about mining, and most kids will be impressed by the large trucks they’ll see there and the magnitude of it all. Tom Price Tourist Park will help you arrange any and all tours you might be interested in.

Mount Jarndunmunha and Karijini NP

The campsite is located at the foot of Australia’s second highest mountain. Mount Jarndunmunha, aka Mt Nameless, that you can climb to get fantastic 360 degrees views of the region. If you’re lucky you’ll get a glimpse of the endangered rock wallabies. The last reason why people stay here, solely based on location, is its near vicinity to Karijini National Park. But to be honest, I wouldn’t base myself from here. Karijini deserves more than a days visit. Read further along for a more fitting place to stay when visiting Karijini.

What else?

We told you all about the location, but there’s also lots to mention about the campsite itself. The highlight for us as parents was the amazing view of Mount Jarndunmunha. You can see in our picture that we woke up to a stunning view in the morning. For the kids the highlight was the swimming pool. After hiking in the heat, there’s nothing better than to cool down in the pool. Just make sure to rinse off all the red sand first. It tends to end up everywhere, in all the places you can think of.

Furthermore you can take hot showers here, use the flushing toilets, wash your clothes in the laundry room and use the bbq in the kitchen area. There’s also a playground for the kids.

Costs

There are 28 unpowered and 42 powered sites on offer. They’re all very spacious and well kept. A powered site will set you back 26 euros per two adults per night, drinking water included. An unpowered site is 10 euros per person per night.

Dales Campground

in Karijini National Park

Sleeping in Karijini NP

I promised to offer you a better place to stay from where to explore Karijini National Park. And here it is: Dales Campground. It’s located on the eastern edge of Karijini NP. And it’s the ideal campsite if you want to explore Dales Gorge, circular pool, fern pool and Fortescue Falls.

There’s only one other option for an overnight stay in the park and that’s Karijini Eco Retreat (unpowered only), but we skipped that one, so it wouldn’t be fair to add it to this list of best campsites in Western Australia with kids.

Back to Dales Campground. We loved the fact that this campground is at the starting point of multiple hikes that will get you to all the highlights I mentioned already. It’s very back to basics here. Only unpowered sites, but the first of the five campgrounds does allow the use of generators, so be sure to mention it if you want to use yours.

The ground is very hard. We didn’t have to use pegs, but we did see a few people struggling to use theirs. Ask the groundkeeper if there are spots available that are more peg friendly.

What else?

There are no showers, but if you want to take a shower you can take one at the visitor’s center. It will cost you 2,50 euros per shower. We choose to take a morning swim at the natural pools. Bush toilets are available and spread out all over this camping.

Fresh water is available as well as a drop off for rubbish.

Lastly I think it’s useful to know that the nights are very cold up here. Layer up before you hop into bed.

Costs

Camping will cost you 7 euros per adult per night and 2 euros per child per night (ages 5 to 16).

Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park

at the beachfront in between Port Headland and Broome

Time for a short beach vacay

If you are road tripping from Perth to Darwin, like us, then you’ve had your fair share of hikes the last couple of days. And what could be better than resting those legs at a beachfront camping? Not much, I suppose.

In between Port Hedland (ideal to stock up on supplies and groceries) and Broome you’ll find Eighty Mile Beach. And at the start of those miles, if you’re coming from Port Hedland, you’ll find Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park. A true gem! But a known one. It’s a very chill and friendly campsite, but it is pretty crowded. This large caravan park has got a great and diverse atmosphere. You’ll find families here, as much as grey nomads and backpackers and also lots of fishermen (didn’t spot any fisherwomen here).

Mini market

Because there aren’t any nearby shops it is really nice that you can shop at the campsites’ Mini Market. Get your morning bread here, stock up on frozen food, snacks and drinks or invest on some much needed sunscreen. They even sell souvenirs here.

What else?

You’ll find 150 powered and 50 unpowered sites. They are generous ones. So even though it’s crowded, you won’t feel like a packed sardine. Most of the pitches offer some shade and they’re all on grass that’s well kept. There are hot showers here and flushing toilets.

But facilities aside, that are already great in itself, there’s another reason why this is one of the best campsites in Western Australia to visit with kids. It’s that it’s right next to the beach. From opening your door or unzipping your tent it is a minute walk to the beach. A great selling point, right? But what will this cost you?

Costs

With all that this caravan park has to offer it isn’t a surprise that this isn’t a cheap one. But it is value for money. We are talking about 28 euros per two persons per night for a powered site and 21 euros per two persons per night for an unpowered one. Kids are an additional 5 euros per child (ages 3 to 16).

Cable Beach Caravan Park

in Broome

You can almost smell Cable Beach

One of the main reasons that people visit Broome is because of Cable Beach with its Stairway to Heaven and weird, and slightly unethical, camel rides. Cable Beach Caravan Park is located about 5 minutes of Cable Beach by foot. Although it’s much more fun to drive onto the beach with your 4wd car or camper, but that’s another highlight you can read about in our list of 10 things to do in Western Australia with kids.

Another caravan park as part of this best campsites in Western Australia with kids listing. But it really deserves a spot on this list. The staff is very welcoming and at the reception/cafe you can get the best pies. The Australian kind, I mean. We really loved the fact that the reception isn’t only a check-in or out, but you can also book excursions here and sit down at a table to enjoy earlier mentioned pies, sandwiches and quiches of Millie’s Cafe. Bonus points if you ask my family.

What else?

As you can see in the picture there’s a large, shady swimming pool to enjoy yourselves in. In the scorching heat a swim in the shade is a true blessing. Add the fact that you can play under a cascading waterfall and it will be hard to get the kids out of the pool. The majority of the pitches themselves are also shady. Because of the good facilities and the short distance to Cable Beach this is a popular and busy campsite. Make sure to book in advance!

Costs

Powered sites will cost you 40 euros per two adults per night and unpowered ones 38 euros per two adults per night. On top of that you pay 3 euros per child per night, no matter if you stay at a powered or unpowered pitch.

Bandilngan Campground

in Bandilngan (aka Windjana Gorge)

Windjana Gorge

After a few caravan parks and enough relaxation it is time for another meeting with nature. Serenity, gorges, wildlife and campfires. Windjana Gorge is a place where you can do a relatively short loop walk through the gorge and meet freshwater crocodiles, endemic to the northern region of Australia. You can can get real close, without being afraid they’ll bite you. Just be respectful and don’t annoy them and come too close.

In hindsight I believe that I personally came to close. If you look at the pic of me below, you’ll see me standing about two meters of the croc. Maybe he’s unfazed, but you’ll never know. Traveling is learning, and in this case my lesson was that as fun as this encounter was, I should be more aware of the animal’s wellbeing. But, I’m derailing. This isn’t a post about Windjana Gorge, but about the best campsites in Western Australia with kids. So, let’s get back to that.

Campfires and stars

Windjana Gorge is known as Bandilngan in the Bunuba language. That explains the name Bandilngan Campground. It’s located near the entrance to the gorge at about a minutes walk. This gives you the opportunity to wake up, have breakfast with a view of the gorgeous limestone walls of the gorge and after that you start walking the loop route. After your hike your kids will love collecting wood for the wood bbq’s. You are not allowed to bring your own firewood. But there’s a limited amount provided on site. When we were there it was scattered around and kids had fun collecting them.

What else?

You might not expect it while setting up camp here, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, but the facilities are amazing. You can take a hot shower and use the flushing toilets. Picnic tables are availably to eat at or play a board game on. There are no powered sites available, but generators are permitted within a designated section of this camping in Northern Australia. Don’t worry you’re still in Western Australia. Northern Australia is the unofficial term for parts of Queensland, WA and all of the Northern Territory.

Costs

Aside from the NP fee you’ll pay 11 euros per adult and only 2 euros per child for a night’s stay.

Caroline Pool

next to Hall’s Creek

Unknown hidden gem

I’ve written about our stay at Caroline Pool before. So if you’ve read any of my other posts about WA, you’ve heard about this spot before. Caroline Pool is a free campsite just outside of the town of Hall’s Creek. In the Jaru language this place is called Wimirri. Not much to do in Hall’s Creek to be honest, so we wanted to stay somewhere just outside of town. A local mechanic filled us in about Caroline Pool and we were happy that we listened. What a gem!

Caroline Pool is a natural waterhole and can be used for a relaxing swim. Please note that the waterhole is known to dry up completely in dry season. But you’ll still be able to camp there. I do think a dried up waterhole takes away from the magic, though.

You can only get up close to the waterhole via an unsealed road. That’s why a 4WD is highly recommended.

What else?

You really go back to basics here. There’s nothing here, no toilets, no showers, no fresh water. You have to byo fresh water and take a camping shower. Remember those babywipes?

The best thing is that you’re allowed to start a campfire here. We roasted some marshmallows near the fire with Caroline Pool in the background. Such a peaceful experience, since there’s space for about 4 or 5 other campers. There aren’t any designated spots here, just pick a spot yourself and make sure you leave room for others.

There aren’t any bins here, so please take your rubbish with you to keep this spot clean.

Costs

Nothing!

Kurrajong Campground

in Purnululu National Park

Bungle Bungle fun

Another family favorite. Purnululu National Park is known for the bee-hive shaped bungle bungles. A NP you can’t miss while on a road trip through Western Australia. It’s a large park and you can find two campings only accessible with a 4WD, as most of the park is. At the beginning of the road into this park there’s a campsite that you can access by 2WD. More about that one later. The two campgrounds further into the park are Walardi Campground and Kurrajong Campground. Pretty much the same facilities and looks, but we believe Kurrajong Campground is the winner here. They say traveling is more about the journey than the destination. And while the destination is great in itself, the journey is stunning and exciting.

To get here you have to drive your 4WD through puddles, over small boulders and make sharp turns for about an hour. It’s a great adventure getting there. The surroundings are stunning so make sure to really enjoy the journey. What a scenic drive!

The campsite is located near Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms Gorge. Two spots that you shouldn’t overlook. Which lots of people do by only checking out the Bungle Bungles and Cathedral Gorge.

What else?

You’ll find bush toilets here. Generators aren’t allowed. Which is the biggest advantage of Walardi Campground. So if you need to use your generator head out there. Fresh water isn’t available at both campgrounds. So make sure to bring enough fresh water with you.

Costs

Besides the park fee you have to pay a camping fee to stay here. Adults will pay 8 euros per night and children 2 euros per night (ages 5 to 16).

Bungle Bungle Caravan park

right at the entrance of Purnululu National Park

End your stay in Purnululu in comfort

Last, but certainly not least on this list of best campsites in Western Australia with kids, is the fancy camping option in Purnululu NP. Unlike the basic campgrounds, Kurrajong and Walardi, Bungle Bungle Caravan Park will make sure you’re stay is greatly facilitated. You can eat at their restaurant or have a drink at the bar (or heck: both), while you wait for your laundry to finish.

What else?

After one or more nights at Kurrajong you can take a hot shower and flush the toilet after your visit. There’s a large bbq area right next to the communal fire pit, where you can have dinner with your family and exchange your travel stories with other travelers cozying up around the pit.

This area of the park is accessible with a 2WD. To facilitate those visitors who can’t drive further into the park, there’s an option to take a helicopter flight over the Bungles. You can arrange a date with a chopper at the reception desk. The flight leaves near the entrance of the caravan park.

Costs

The last campsite of this list ends with a banger of a price. But it’s worth it, especially if you’ve stayed at one of the other campgrounds in the park and in dire need of clean clothes and a clean body. You’ll pay 32 euros per two adults per night at a powered pitch and 22 euros at an unpowered one. Kids, ages 5 to 16, pay 4,50 euros. No matter the type of pitch.

That’s it. You’ve read all about the best campsites in Western Australia with kids. If you haven’t camped in WA, then you definitely need to visit! Have you been camping in WA with kids? Or is it a wish waiting to come true?

Are you anxious to go on a road trip through Western Australia with your family? Go pack your bags and afterwards, please let me know if you agree with my tips. I appreciate your feedback. If you know of any other great camping spots that aren’t on my lis, then please let the readers and me know, by dropping a comment below.

Lastly, when camping please leave no trace, and keep these great places open for everyone to enjoy. Happy camping!

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