It’s camping season in Australia’s Golden Outback

The cooler seasons of the year are a great opportunity to set out on a Golden Outback adventure. Those inland outback areas are a little cooler, with sunny days still shining through to contrast with the beautiful landscape.

It’s also the best time to go remote and go camping! The weather has cooled down from those hot summer days, which can make sleeping in a swag or tent a tad uncomfortable. It’s now a pleasant temperature to get out and explore, and then get cosy in front of a fire at night as you watch the blanket of stars appear.

There are four main parts of our region and each one has an amazing array of caravan and campsites, some of which are even free for you to enjoy! They provide the perfect place to stop off, stretch your legs, set up for the night, and relax. We all know this is needed after a long few hours behind the wheel driving through the outback!

Here are a few of our favourite spots!

Wheatbelt

If you’re venturing out into the Wheatbelt region, a beautiful place to stay is Gorge Rock Pool. This is located just outside the small Wheatbelt town of Corrigin. In a bushland setting at the base of an enormous granite outcrop, this free campground welcomes travellers and their pets and imposes no restrictions or limits on how long you can stay.

If you want to enjoy some of the free campsites across the Wheatbelt, head across to our recent article on free camping in the region.

Esperance and the Fitzgerald Coast

If you’re touring around Esperance, we recommend camping in Cape Le Grand National Park at one of the two camp sites. You’re guaranteed some of the best views of the park, and you’ll most likely get a curious kangaroo to come to join you for your morning cuppa! Fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean lapping the white sandy shore, under a star full of skies. Whilst you probably won’t be swimming, we just love watching the wild ocean roll in.

If you're further round the South West Edge, you'll be glad to hear that Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe are RV friendly towns, which means there is FREE 48 hour camping for fully self-contained vehicles! There are also popular spots like Mason Bay and Starvation Bay, both of which have recently been upgraded to provide more campsites and toilet facilities for camp goers.

The beautiful diverse and rugged Fitzgerald River National Park also has two camp sites. 4 Mile Campsite is accessible by 2WD and there are picnic tables, gas BBQs and hot showers. The secluded Hamersley Inlet campsite has recently been upgraded and is a popular spot for families. You'll need to bring your own water and there are no fires or dogs allowed within the national park.

Gascoyne Murchison

Mount Augustus Tourist Park is located at the base of one of the world’s biggest rock formations, so we recommend setting up camp here while travelling through the Gascoyne-Murchison region and make use of the fantastic facilities on hand. You’ll be blown away by the size of Mount Augustus, so get a good night’s rest and lace up your hiking boots early in the morning; it’s exploring time, but before you head off ensure you carry enough water (at least 4 litres per person, per day).

There's a couple of different walk trails you can undertake at Mount Augustus, with some trails requiring a moderate level of fitness, right up to more difficult and longer trails which should only be attempted by experienced bushwalkers and hikers. To find out more refer to the Department of Parks and Wildlife website.

Goldfields

Lake Ballard in the Goldfields region is a magical experience. The 51 steel statues scattered around the Lake look eerily different at sunrise and sunset, making for a really cool experience and some great photos! You can freely camp in the designated areas, with views of the Salt Lake right outside your tent. The campsite has toilets and fire pit circles. Depending on rainfall, the lake can turn into a sticky, muddy pit, which we think adds to the experience and makes it even more fun exploring and walking out to the hill in the centre. Just remember a spare pair of shoes!

We love to see you exploring every part of our gorgeous Golden Outback, taking a well-earned digital detox and camping in some extremely remote locations. There’s nothing quite like setting up camp for the night with no one else around. Outback bliss!