Margaret River is one of the most popular holiday spots in Western Australia, and one of the hardest places to camp for free. The Shire and park rangers sign against it, and the camps that are open are booked weeks ahead in summer. The honest advice is to book a Leeuwin-Naturaliste campground or a holiday park, spend days on the beaches and in the wineries, and find a cheap or free night further inland on your way through the South West.
Why it is hard to camp free here
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has strict rules, and rangers patrol the beaches, car parks and roadsides, especially in summer. The region has a lot of visitors and not many places to put them, so freedom camping is not allowed and fines are common.
The rest areas are for drivers to rest, not to sleep overnight in the popular parts of the region. Look for the sign, and if in doubt, go to a paid camp.
| Where | Cost | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeuwin-Naturaliste campgrounds | Booked fee | Beach and forest camps | Book weeks ahead |
| Holiday parks (Margaret River, Prevelly, Augusta) | Paid | Power, showers, cabins | Full in summer |
| Forest and inland camps | Free or low fee | Cheaper bush nights | Basic facilities |
| Rest areas on the highways | Free | One night on the road | Check the sign |
- No freedom camping
- Rangers patrol in summer
- Fines are common
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
The national park runs along the coast from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin and has several camps, including Conto and Boranup. They are booked and paid through Parks and Wildlife Service, and they are the best value in the region.
Facilities are basic, with a toilet and a tap in some. Bring your own water and cooking gear, and check the park alerts for closures and fire bans before you go.
- Conto and Boranup
- Book through Parks WA
- Check alerts
Holiday parks and the towns
Margaret River, Prevelly, Augusta, Dunsborough and Busselton all have holiday parks with powered sites and cabins. They are the easy way to stay close to the wineries and the beaches, and they cost far less than a motel in the same season.
Book as early as you can for December to February and for Easter.
- Powered sites near the wineries
- Cheaper than motels
- Book early for summer
Free and cheap nights inland
The forests and towns of the South West have cheaper stays than the coast. Nannup, Pemberton and the Blackwood River have bush and council camps with low fees, and the rest areas on the main roads suit a night in the vehicle.
Our South West camping loop guide links the camps and the drives, and our free camping guide explains how the rules work in Western Australia.
- Nannup, Pemberton, Blackwood River
- Low fees inland
- Rest areas for one night
When to go
The region is at its best from September to November and from March to May, when it is warm, wildflowers or whales may be out, and the crowds are smaller. December to February is the peak, with warm water and a full coast.
Winter is wet and windy, and good for the wineries and waves.
- Spring and autumn are best
- Summer is the peak
- Winter is quiet
Plan the South West in AussieCamps
AussieCamps lists 1,838 campgrounds and 745 national parks from the state park agencies, plus 5,552 rest areas from road authorities, with each place's facilities, fees and rules as the agency publishes them. You can filter by cost, save places to a trip and see the driving distance between stops.
Holiday parks and some council camps are not all in the app, so check their own pages for those. AussieCamps runs on iPhone.
- Filter by cost
- Save places to a trip
- iPhone only
Places along the way
Check before you go
Rules and conditions change. Recheck the official source and the page for your exact park or campground before departure.
Common questions
Can you camp for free in Margaret River?+
Not in the town or along the coast, where the Shire and Parks and Wildlife rangers sign against it. The region is a paid-camping area, and the cheapest nights are national park campgrounds and low-cost bush camps inland.
Where can you camp near Margaret River?+
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park has campgrounds such as Conto and Boranup, booked and paid through Parks and Wildlife. Holiday parks in Margaret River, Prevelly and Augusta suit powered sites, and the forests further inland have cheaper bush camps.
Is Margaret River busy in summer?+
Very. From December to February and at Easter the region fills with Perth families, so book camps and holiday parks well ahead and look at the shoulder months.
How far is Margaret River from Perth?+
About three hours by road, which is why the region is full on Friday evenings. Our Perth to Margaret River drive guide has the route and the stops.
Places to camp in Western Australia
Take it on the road
Save the stops. Plan the whole trip.
Build an ordered route from saved places, calculate the distance and keep dates, notes and to-dos attached.
