Free camping in Western Australia
Where you can legally park up for the night, how long you can stay, and 8 free and low-cost places near Perth and Broome and along the classic routes.
- Places listed
- 8
- Free
- 5
- Checked
- 25 October 2026, against official sources
The sign wins. Councils change rules often. If a site is signed "No camping", don't camp there, whatever this page or an app says.
Where you can sleep in a campervan in Western Australia
Rest areas
Main Roads WA lists 63 rest areas that allow overnight stays, with stopping not to exceed 24 consecutive hours. Look for the 24-hour rest area sign; other rest areas are for short breaks, and overnight stays may be allowed at some heavy vehicle rest areas only where signed.
Source: Main Roads WA: Driving in WA - a guide to safe stopping placesSharing rest areas
If you stay overnight in a 24-hour rest area, park to the side and leave room for trucks to get in and out, and do not over-stay the 24-hour limit.
Source: Main Roads WA: Driving in WA - a guide to safe stopping placesCamping outside designated sites
Councils set their own rules and camping is generally only allowed in registered caravan parks and camping grounds. In the City of Busselton camping includes sleeping in vehicles and campervans, and unauthorised camping carries a $200 fine; Carnarvon issues on-the-spot $200 fines.
Source: City of Busselton: Camping in the CityMargaret River
The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River says camping in residential streets, beach carparks, national parks, nature reserves or on Crown land is against the law and fines will be issued; rangers patrol coastal sites.
Source: Shire of Augusta Margaret River: Illegal campingSelf-contained council rest areas
Many council free camps (Bunbury, Waroona, Port Hedland) are for fully self-contained RVs only, with a 48 or 72 hour limit. Bunbury requires an online permit and does not allow tents or sleeping in cars.
Source: City of Bunbury: Overnight rest areasNational park camping
Parks and Wildlife Service campgrounds are booked online (up to 180 days ahead). Unpowered camping is $20 per adult, $15 concession and $5 per child per night; park entry fees apply on top at parks that charge them.
Source: Explore Parks WA: Henry White Oval Campground8 free and low-cost places in Western Australia
Each one is confirmed on an official page, linked on its card. Prices and limits are as published on 25 October 2026; check the link before you go.
Near Perth
- 1
Henry White Oval Campground, Yanchep National Park
Yanchep, about 1 hour north of Perth
National park- Price
- $20 per adult per night ($15 concession, $5 per child), plus park entry fee
- Facilities
- toilets, hot showers, communal fire pit, food prep area with gas barbecue; no drinking water
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Required: book online up to 180 days ahead
21 unpowered sites, 9 on tarmac for campervans. No dogs. Priced per person, so two people is about $40 plus entry.
Official info: Explore Parks WA: Henry White Oval Campground ↗ - 2
Railside Park RV Short Stay Site, Waroona
Waroona, about 110 km south of Perth on the South Western Highway
Free Self-contained vans only- Price
- Free
- Max stay
- 48 hours
- Facilities
- designated RV parking, dump point; walk to town
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Not needed
Permanent free site in Shire policy, for self-contained RVs. The Shire also lists the Waroona Showgrounds and Preston Beach Carpark as free 48-hour RV sites.
Official info: Shire of Waroona: Policy ETP002 RV Short Stay Sites ↗ - 3
Preston Beach Carpark RV Short Stay Site
Preston Beach, south of Mandurah
Free Self-contained vans only- Price
- Free
- Max stay
- 48 hours
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Not needed
Permanent free site per Shire policy; self-contained RVs only. Check on-site signs for any closures.
Official info: Shire of Waroona: Policy ETP002 RV Short Stay Sites ↗ - 4
City of Bunbury overnight rest areas (e.g. Rocky Point)
Bunbury, about 175 km south of Perth
Free Self-contained vans only- Price
- Free
- Max stay
- 48 hours
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Online permit via Visit Bunbury Geographe or the Visitor Centre
Fully self-contained RVs only (plumbed-in toilet and sink); no tents or sleeping in cars. You cannot get another permit within 28 days. Areas close during public events.
Official info: City of Bunbury: Overnight rest areas ↗
On the road: Perth to Broome
- 5
Francis Street Car Park RV bays, Geraldton
Geraldton CBD, on the Perth to Broome route
Free- Price
- Free
- Max stay
- 24 hours (within a 5-day period)
- Facilities
- signed overnight bays for campervans and motorhomes; none other stated
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Not needed
Single bay only, no tents, no fires, dogs on lead. City signs also list Bob Davies Park (Point Moore, 6 bays) and John Batten Hall (Drummond Cove, 5 bays). Whether self-containment is required is not stated.
Official info: City of Greater Geraldton: RV and campervan parking area information ↗ - 6
Blowholes (Point Quobba) campground
75 km north of Carnarvon
Low cost- Price
- $30 per vehicle per night (up to 6 people)
- Max stay
- 90 days per calendar year (30 days from 1 Apr to 1 Oct)
- Facilities
- no water; chemical toilet required; minimal shade
Shire of Carnarvon says no free camping anywhere in the shire; camp only at caravan parks or these nature campgrounds. $200 on-the-spot fine otherwise.
Official info: Shire of Carnarvon: Camping ↗ - 7
RV Overflow Rest Stop, Port Hedland
McGregor Street next to the Community Centre, Port Hedland
Free Self-contained vans only- Price
- Free
- Max stay
- 72 hours (3 nights) within a 28-day period
- Facilities
- water fill point at entrance; dump points at 10 McGregor Street and Spoilbank Marina
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Not needed
Fully self-contained RVs only (built-in toilet, shower and tanks); no tents, camper trailers or rooftop tents. Access is via an unsealed road by the skate park carpark. Rangers remove non-compliant vehicles.
Official info: Town of Port Hedland: RV Overflow Rest Stop Area ↗ - 8
Cape Keraudren Coastal Reserve
150 km north of Port Hedland, towards Broome
Low cost- Price
- $15 per adult per night (concession $10; children 12-17 free), plus $15 per standard vehicle
- Max stay
- 28 days within a three-month period
- Facilities
- non-potable water at entrance, dump points, toilets, fish cleaning stations
- Booking
- Book online via the Shire of East Pilbara website
Five camping zones, first come, first served. Bring firewood; dogs on lead, no cats.
Official info: Shire of East Pilbara: Cape Keraudren ↗
Tips for camping in Western Australia
- Never plan multiple nights in a row at a Main Roads rest area; the 24-hour limit is per stop, and the agency says rest areas are not intended for camping. Source: Main Roads WA: Driving in WA - a guide to safe stopping places
- Park to the side of 24-hour rest areas and leave room for trucks to enter and leave. Source: Main Roads WA: Driving in WA - a guide to safe stopping places
- Bunbury's free overnight rest areas need an online permit and a fully self-contained vehicle (plumbed-in toilet and sink), with a 48-hour limit. If your hire van isn't fully self-contained, use a caravan park. Source: City of Bunbury: Overnight rest areas
- Book Parks and Wildlife campgrounds ahead (bookings are essential and open up to 180 days out); camping is charged per person, not per site. Source: Explore Parks WA: Potters Gorge Campground
More on apps, powered sites and keeping your fridge running: free camping vs powered sites.
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