Western Australia conjures up images of rugged gorges, red outback plains and spectacularly white beaches – and you’ll find camping areas at all of these destinations. This vast state is home to some magnificent camping spots that won’t put too much strain on your traveller’s wallet; quite a boon in this often expensive mining state.

Allison Camping Area

A hop, skip and a ferry ride away from Perth is Rottnest Island, which is famous for its population of quokkas and fantastic swimming and snorkelling.

You’ll find Allison camping area in Thomson Bay, the main settlement on the island. This is tent-only camping, as the island is a vehicle-free zone. The shady camping area has good facilities, including toilets, hot showers and picnic areas.

Dales Camping Area

You’ll have a true desert experience at Dales camping area, as you set up camp in the red dirt and surprisingly lush vegetation of the site.

Situated near Fortescue River in the overwhelmingly beautiful Karijini National Park, this camping area has toilets and picnic facilities, but you’ll need to bring your own drinking water and gas stove.

Although set in the heart of the Pilbara, the national park has a surprising number of waterfalls and rock pools, where you can wash away the heat and dirt of your journey. The camping area isn’t too far from the famous Fortescue Falls, the only year-round waterfall in Karijini.

Home Valley Station

Home Valley Station is a 3.5 million acre playground, off Gibb River Road. Set against the backdrop of the impressive Cockburn Range, the station gives you plenty of space to explore the majesty of the Kimberley region, and its myriad of gorges, waterfalls and billabongs.

You can choose between two camping areas. The first is near the homestead and offers more facilities than the more isolated bush camping sites on the Pentecost River. But both areas have toilets and shelters.

Lucky Bay Camping Area

It’s not often that a campsite lives up to its name. Fantastic camping areas often have deceptive names, such as Devils Hole or Jackass Fern. But you really will feel lucky to be camping at this spectacular spot in Cape Le Grand National Park.

There are two camping areas, one for tents and the other for trailers. Both are located in the scrub behind one of the most pristine, white-sand beaches in the country. There’s a good range of facilities at the camping areas, including hot showers, drinking water, toilets and disabled access.

Red Bluff Camping Area

“Situated on Quobba Station, a large working station, you have to pay a fee to stay the night. But this area has something money can’t buy, and that’s a bird’s eye view of one of the most majestic sunsets you are ever likely to see.”

Stuck between the desert and the deep turquoise sea, this camping area has good facilities, including toilets and hot showers.

Situated on Quobba Station, a large working station, you have to pay a fee to stay the night. But this area has something money can’t buy, and that’s a bird’s eye view of one of the most majestic sunsets you are ever likely to see.

While staying at Red Bluff, take advantage of the fantastic water-based activities. The more daredevil campers will find the lure of surfing the famous Bluff Barrel hard to resist.