Camping on Australia's Golden Outback

Australia's Golden Outback covers more than half of Western Australia, from the white beaches of the south coast to the goldfields and the Wheatbelt towns. It helps to think of it as three different trips: Esperance and the south coast parks, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the gold country, or a slow run through the grain towns.

Where is the best place to camp on Australia's Golden Outback?

For beaches, Esperance, about 713 km south-east of Perth, has the most choice, and Cape Le Grand National Park, about 56 km east of town, has a campground right at Le Grand Beach. Further west, Hopetoun sits on Mary Ann Harbour next to Fitzgerald River National Park. For the goldfields, Kalgoorlie-Boulder has several parks, including Kalgoorlie Discovery Holiday Park, close to the old gold-rush streets. In the Wheatbelt, towns such as Merredin each have a small caravan park, most with a pool or museum a short walk away.

What is there to do on Australia's Golden Outback with kids?

Cape Le Grand's beaches, among them Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay and Thistle Cove, are white sand backed by granite, with western grey kangaroos around the park. In Fitzgerald River National Park, Point Ann is one of only two places on the Australian coast where southern right whales come in to calve in winter. In Esperance, the Historic Village is close to the town parks. In Kalgoorlie, the Super Pit, more than 600 metres deep, has a lookout for visitors, and the Loopline Railway Museum is near the Boulder parks. Merredin has a railway museum near the caravan park.

• Grain Discovery Centre – Museums and history, Narembeen. Closest campground: Narembeen Caravan and Apex Park, under 1 km
• Coolgardie Railway Museum – Museums and history, Coolgardie. Closest campground: Coolgardie Tourist Village, under 1 km
• Bluebird Discovery Centre – Museums and history, Dumbleyung. Closest campground: Dumbleyung Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Ballidu Heritage Centre – Museums and history, Ballidu. Closest campground: Ballidu Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Dowerin and Districts Museum – Museums and history, Dowerin. Closest campground: Dowerin Motel and Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Dowerin District Museum – Museums and history, Dowerin. Closest campground: Dowerin Motel and Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Goomalling Historical Museum – Museums and history, Goomalling. Closest campground: Goomalling Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Laverton Outback Gallery – Museums and history, Laverton. Closest campground: Laverton Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Old Laverton Police Precinct – Museums and history, Laverton. Closest campground: Laverton Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Wheatbin Museum Machinery Precinct – Museums and history, Wubin. Closest campground: WUBIN RTAA, under 1 km
• ARHS Museum – Museums and history, Minnivale. Closest campground: Minnivale Camground, under 1 km
• Machinery Display – Museums and history, New Norcia. Closest campground: New Norcia self-contained Caravans Site, under 1 km
• New Norcia Visitor Centre, Museum, Art Gallery and Gift Shop – Museums and history, New Norcia. Closest campground: New Norcia self-contained Caravans Site, under 1 km
• Sandstone Heritage Museum & Visitor Centre – Museums and history, Sandstone. Closest campground: Alice Atkinson Sandstone Caravan Park, under 1 km
• The Great Beyond Visitor Centre & Explorers' Hall of Fame – Museums and history, Laverton. Closest campground: Laverton Caravan Park, under 1 km
• CBH and Agricultural Museum – Museums and history, Wyalkatchem. Closest campground: Wyalkatchem Travellers Park, under 1 km
• Machinery Museum – Museums and history, Bruce Rock. Closest campground: 48Hr RV Parking Self Contained, under 1 km
• Narambeen Machinery Museum – Museums and history, Narembeen. Closest campground: Narembeen Caravan and Apex Park, under 1 km
• The Quairading Vintage Club – Museums and history, Quairading. Closest campground: Quairading Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Yalgoo Museum – Museums and history, Yalgoo. Closest campground: Yalgoo Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Koorda Museum – Museums and history, Koorda. Closest campground: Koorda Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Quairading Museum – Museums and history, Quairading. Closest campground: Quairading Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Mukinbudin Pioneer Memorial Aquatic Centre – Swimming, Mukinbudin. Closest campground: Mukinbudin Caravn Park, under 1 km
• Goomalling War Memorial Swimming Pool – Swimming, Goomalling. Closest campground: Goomalling Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Quairading Memorial Swimming Pool – Swimming, Quairading. Closest campground: Quairading Caravan Park, under 1 km

What are the best walks and lookouts in Australia's Golden Outback?

At Cape Le Grand, the walks up Frenchman Peak and Mount Le Grand look out over the park's bays. In the goldfields, Lindsay Pit Lookout at Coolgardie looks into an old mine, and Madura Pass Lookout is a stop on the Eyre Highway.

• Barrens Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Four Mile Campground, under 1 km
• Rotary Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Esperance Bay Holiday Park, under 1 km
• Lion's Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Coolgardie Tourist Village, 1 km
• Madura Pass Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Madura Oasis Caravan Park, 1 km
• Lindsay Pit Lookout Coolgardie – Lookout. Closest campground: Coolgardie Tourist Village, 2 km
• Beacon Hill lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Gateway Caravan Park Norseman, 2 km

When is the best time to go camping on Australia's Golden Outback?

Spring is the season people come for, when the wildflowers come out across the region. Kalgoorlie summers are very hot, with days over 40 degrees nearly once a week, so the goldfields and Wheatbelt are best in the cooler months. Esperance is milder, with summers averaging about 26 degrees.

Do you need to book campsites on Australia's Golden Outback?

For Cape Le Grand National Park, yes: camping is booked through the park's campground booking system, run by WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The town caravan parks take their own bookings.

Are there powered sites on Australia's Golden Outback?

Yes. 33 campgrounds here have powered sites confirmed, including Darkan Caravan Park, Koorda Caravan Park and Merredin Tourist Park. For the rest we are still confirming, so check with the park or holiday park before you book a powered site.

How far is Esperance from Perth?

Esperance is about 713 km south-east of Perth, Kalgoorlie-Boulder about 595 km east-north-east, and Merredin, in the central Wheatbelt, about 256 km east.

Facts from Explore Parks WA, Australia's Golden Outback, Wikipedia, "Cape Le Grand National Park" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Fitzgerald River National Park" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Kalgoorlie" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Esperance, Western Australia" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Merredin, Western Australia" (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikipedia, "Hopetoun, Western Australia" (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Map of campgrounds on Australia's Golden Outback

89 campgrounds

• Darkan Caravan Park — Darkan, WA. camp kitchen, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Koorda Caravan Park — Koorda, WA. camp kitchen, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Merredin Tourist Park — Merredin, WA. bbq, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, powered sites, tent sites, toilets, wheelchair accessible
• Narembeen Caravan and Apex Park — Narembeen, WA. camp kitchen, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Bencubbin Caravan Park — Bencubbin, WA. camp kitchen, caravan sites, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Kirkalocka Station — Daggar Hills, WA. accessible toilets, caravan sites, dump point, picnic shelter, picnic tables, tent sites, toilets
• Mukinbudin Caravn Park — Mukinbudin, WA. camp kitchen, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Ballidu Caravan Park — Ballidu, WA. caravan sites, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Dumbleyung Caravan Park — Dumbleyung, WA. camp kitchen, caravan sites, laundry, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Goomalling Caravan Park — Goomalling, WA. camp kitchen, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Harrismith Caravan Park — Harrismith, WA. caravan sites, dump point, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Kalannie Rabbit Proof Fence Caravan Park — Kalannie, WA. bbq, dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Wickepin Caravan Park — Wickepin, WA. caravan sites, dump point, laundry, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Widgiemooltha Tavern & Roadhouse — Widgiemooltha, WA. caravan sites, laundry, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• BALLAGNOMIA / WOORIBA HOMESTEAD 24HR REST AREA — Balladonia, WA. accessible toilets, dump point, picnic shelter, picnic tables, toilets
• Beacon Caravan Park — Beacon, WA. camp kitchen, laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Doweriin Short Stay Accomodation and Caravan Park — Dowerin, WA. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Gascoyne River (South Branch) / Doolgunna — Peak Hill, WA. accessible toilets, dump point, picnic shelter, picnic tables, toilets
• Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park — Hopetoun, WA. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Mundrabilla Motel Caravan Park — Mundrabilla, WA. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Newdegate Motel & Caravan Park — Newdegate, WA. camp kitchen, caravan sites, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Salmon Gums Community Caravan Park — Salmon Gums, WA. camp kitchen, laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Wyalkatchem Travellers Park — Wyalkatchem, WA. dump point, laundry, powered sites, showers, toilets
• KOORARAWALYEE (BOORABBIN) 24 HR REST AREA — Boorabbin, WA. accessible toilets, dump point, picnic tables, toilets
• Munglinup Rest Area — Munglinup, WA. accessible toilets, picnic shelter, picnic tables, toilets
• Murchison Oasis Roadhouse & Caravan Park — Murchison, WA. powered sites, toilets, wheelchair accessible, wifi
• Private Capricorn Roadhouse — Capricorn, WA. accessible toilets, picnic shelter, picnic tables, toilets
• RAC Esperance Holiday Park — Castletown, WA. drinking water, dump point, powered sites, toilets
• Westonia Caravan Park — Westonia, WA. bbq, caravan sites, showers, tent sites
• Acclaim Pine Grove — Chadwick, WA. drinking water, powered sites, showers
• Cocklebiddy Caravan Park — Cocklebiddy, WA. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Eucla Pass Caravan Park — Eucla, WA. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Gnaala Mia Campground — Williams, WA. caravan sites, tent sites, toilets
• Hamersley Inlet — Hopetoun, WA. caravan sites, tent sites, wifi
• Madura Oasis Caravan Park — Madura, WA. powered sites, showers, toilets
• Minnivale Camground — Minnivale, WA. dump point, showers, toilets
• Prospector Holiday Park — Somerville, WA. dump point, powered sites, tent sites
• SOUTHERN HILL 24HR REST AREA — Fraser Range, WA. dump point, picnic tables, toilets
• Discovery Holiday Park - Boulder — South Boulder, WA. powered sites, wifi
• Gateway Caravan Park Norseman — Norseman, WA. powered sites, tent sites
• Gliding Club of Western Australia - Member's Caravan Park — Cunderdin, WA. caravan sites, tent sites
• Meekatharra Accommodation Centre — Meekatharra, WA. powered sites, tent sites
• Mount Magnet Caravan Park — Mount Magnet, WA. caravan sites, tent sites
• Pink Lake Tourist Park — Nulsen, WA. powered sites, wifi
• Quairading Caravan Park — Quairading, WA. powered sites, tent sites
• TEN MILE ROCKS 24HR REST AREA — Fraser Range, WA. picnic tables, toilets
• WUBIN RTAA — Wubin, WA. accessible toilets, toilets
• Bathers Paradise — Castletown, WA. wifi
• Benwenerup Campground - Stokes National Park — Coomalbidgup, WA. toilets
• Beringbooding Rock Camping Ground — Bonnie Rock, WA. toilets
• Fraser Range Station Caravan Park — Fraser Range, WA. powered sites
• Fully Self-Contained Recreational Vehicle 24 Hour Rest Area — Merredin, WA. caravan sites
• Green Haven Tourist Park — Ravensthorpe, WA. powered sites
• Heavy Vehicle Rest Area (South Coast Hwy) — Ravensthorpe, WA. picnic tables
• New Norcia self-contained Caravans Site — New Norcia, WA. caravan sites
• Wavecrest Village & Tourist Park — Hopetoun, WA. caravan sites
• Yalgoo Caravan Park — Yalgoo, WA. powered sites
• 48Hr RV Parking Self Contained — Bruce Rock, WA
• Alice Atkinson Sandstone Caravan Park — Sandstone, WA
• Bolgart Caravan Park — Bolgart, WA
• Boulder Town Camp (Zone 6) — South Boulder, WA
• Bushlands Holiday Park — Pink Lake, WA
• Cape Le Grand Campground (Cape Le Grand Beach) — Cape Le Grand, WA
• Caravan Site — Karalundi, WA
• Coolgardie Tourist Village — Coolgardie, WA
• Cue Caravan Park — Cue, WA
• Dalwallinu Caravan Park — Dalwallinu, WA
• Dowerin Motel and Caravan Park — Dowerin, WA
• Duke of Orleans — Condingup, WA
• Esperance Bay Holiday Park — Esperance, WA
• Four Mile Campground — Hopetoun, WA
• Kalgoorlie Caravan Park — Somerville, WA
• Kalgoorlie Discovery Holiday Park — Boulder, WA
• Kellerberrin Caravan Park — Kellerberrin, WA
• Kondinin Caravan Park — Kondinin, WA
• Lake Yealering Caravan Park — Yealering, WA
• Laverton Caravan Park — Laverton, WA
• Leinster Caravan Park — Leinster, WA
• Marapoi Station Stay — Kookynie, WA
• Menzies Caravan Park — Menzies, WA
• Mollerin Rock Camping Ground — Mollerin, WA
• Mongers Lake Camp — Paynes Find, WA
• Moora Shire Caravan Park — Moora, WA
• Newcarlbeon Rock Camping Ground — Newcarlbeon, WA
• Orient Well Mine Camp — Kookynie, WA
• Shady Acre Caravan Park — Williams, WA
• Southern Cross Caravan Park — Southern Cross, WA
• Wave Rock Short Stay - The Camp — Hyden, WA
• Wiluna Caravan Park — Wiluna, WA

Region boundary: ABS ASGS Edition 3 Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0.