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Free camping in the South West of WA.

Short answer: most councils we checked only allow camping in caravan parks and campgrounds. Here is what the official pages say, in plain words, and where you can stay instead.

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Tents and swags pitched on grass in a busy camp, with caravans in the background and an emu walking between the tents.
Photo by snap wander on Unsplash. For illustration only: it is not a place we have checked.

The short version

  • WA law generally keeps camping, including sleeping in a caravan or campervan, to licensed caravan parks and camping grounds.1
  • Most of the South West councils we checked limit camping to caravan parks and campgrounds, and Augusta Margaret River and Denmark say outright that there is no free camping. Busselton and Augusta Margaret River both name car parks and beaches.234
  • The main exceptions are signed overnight rest stops, where a stay of up to 24 hours in a row is allowed (Main Roads says they are for resting, not camping), and private land with the owner’s permission.15
  • Every council sets its own rules, so read the sign on site and the council’s own page.

What the State says

The rules start with two WA laws: the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995 and its 1997 regulations. The State Government’s own summary says the legislation generally restricts the use of caravans to licensed caravan parks.1 If you use a caravan or a tiny home on wheels outside a licensed park without an approval or an exemption, you risk an offence, whether the land is public or private.1

It is not only caravans. The City of Busselton explains that under the Act, “camp” covers tents and other portable shelters, and also vehicles, campervans and caravans.2 The Shire of Augusta Margaret River says sleeping in a tent or a vehicle counts.3

The exceptions the State lists

  • Private land, with permission. Up to 5 nights needs the owner’s approval. Up to 24 months needs the owner’s approval and the local council’s.1 The Shire of Nannup adds that the 5 nights are counted over any 28-day period and cover one tent, camper trailer or caravan.6
  • State or federal reserves. You may also need approval from whoever manages that land.1
  • A breakdown. You may use a caravan on a roadside if your vehicle has broken down or you cannot drive safely, as long as it is not a road hazard and you move it as soon as it is safe.1
  • Marked overnight rest stops. No approval is needed for up to 24 consecutive hours.1

Why the rules exist

The State says caravans are kept to licensed parks so that a certain level of services and utilities is supplied, and so they are used safely and healthily.1 The City of Busselton says its rule protects the environment and supports local accommodation providers.2 Augusta Margaret River says illegal camping damages and pollutes the environment and raises the risk of wildfire in remote areas.3

Rest areas and 24-hour stops

Main Roads WA says there are over 1,600 roadside stopping and rest areas on the state’s road network. Some are 24-hour rest areas, but Main Roads says these are not intended for camping, and a stay should not run past 24 consecutive hours.5 About 200 are heavy vehicle rest areas, and Main Roads asks other drivers to leave them free for trucks if they can, or to leave room for a truck to pull in.5

We have not checked individual rest areas, and we do not say which ones allow an overnight stay. Our Camping near pages list Main Roads WA stopping places from Main Roads’ own list, and show a 24-hour stay only where that list says so. Treat it as a hint, then read the sign when you get there. If a stop is not signed for overnight stays, move on to somewhere that is.

What six South West councils say

Every council makes and enforces its own rules, so we read the camping pages of six local governments on 19 October 2026. This is not a full list. Others in the South West, such as Harvey, Collie and Capel, may say something different, so check theirs.

  • City of Busselton

    You can camp only in registered caravan parks and camping grounds. Overnight or extended camping anywhere else is out, and the City names State and National Parks, local reserves, beaches, roadsides and car parks. Fines of $200 can apply.2

  • Shire of Augusta Margaret River

    No free camping anywhere in the shire, with penalties for camping outside approved areas. That covers national parks, townsites, car parks, coastal areas and bushland. Camping is for designated holiday parks and campgrounds only, and camping on private land without the owner’s consent is also an offence.37

  • Shire of Denmark

    No free campsites and no overflow campsites anywhere in the shire. The Shire’s page also lists places in the Denmark townsite where caravans can park. Check what is allowed at each spot before you stay overnight.4

  • Shire of Manjimup

    People camping where they do not have the landowner’s permission can face fines or prosecution. On land the Shire owns or manages, without prior approval, a successful prosecution can mean a penalty of up to $1,000. The Shire says it has put up, or is putting up, signs in problem areas.8

  • Shire of Nannup

    Camping is generally allowed only in a licensed caravan park or camping ground, with a short list of exceptions. They include private land: up to 5 nights in any 28-day period for one tent, camper trailer or caravan, and longer stays with approval.6

  • City of Albany

    The City runs six nature-based campgrounds on its coastal reserves. You cannot book a site ahead, and you are asked to camp only in the marked bays. Its page says three of the six are currently fee free, and it covers fees too. Fees can change, so read it before you go.9

Where you can camp instead

  • Caravan and holiday parks. They are the legal place to stay that councils such as Busselton and Augusta Margaret River point to. The City of Busselton says many parks run all year and recommends booking ahead because the region is popular.27
  • National park and forest campgrounds. DBCA says camping in WA’s parks is allowed only in designated campgrounds, and fees are charged per person, per night, depending on the facilities.1011 Most are basic, often with no power, running water or phone service.11 Popular ones can be booked up to 180 days ahead, and around Perth and in the south west most are extremely busy in the school and public holidays between Christmas and Anzac Day. Where you cannot book, DBCA says vacancies are not guaranteed, so have a backup.10
  • Council campgrounds. Some councils run their own nature-based campgrounds. The City of Albany is one, and the Shire of Denmark describes a volunteer-managed campground that takes no bookings and works first come, first served.49
  • Private land, with permission. A farm, a friend’s block or a paddock, for up to 5 nights with the owner’s approval.1

How to check a place before you stay

  1. Look for signs at the entrance. A “no camping” or “no overnight parking” sign settles it.
  2. Search the council’s website for “camping”. The pages we cite show how each council puts its rules, fines and listed campgrounds online.
  3. Check the official sources for closures and fire bans, which are listed in the box at the end of this guide.
  4. If you still cannot tell, ask the council’s rangers, or choose a place you are sure about.

Find places near you

Our Camping near pages list the campsites, caravan parks and rest areas on record near each town, from open data. Each place says whether Trek Eleven has checked it, and unchecked places are only suggestions. They do not say that camping is allowed, free or open, so read the sources above first.

AlbanyAugustaBunburyBusseltonCollieDenmarkDunsboroughMargaret RiverPembertonWalpole

Open the app (testing)

Sources

Every rule, fee and date above comes from one of these official pages, written up in our own words. We read each page on 19 October 2026. Rules change, so open the page itself before you rely on it.

  1. Temporary accommodation and camping outside of caravan parksWA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety. Checked .
  2. Camping in the CityCity of Busselton. Checked .
  3. Visiting Augusta Margaret RiverShire of Augusta Margaret River. Checked .
  5. Regional and long distance driving (rest areas)Main Roads Western Australia. Checked .
  6. Caravans, camping and temporary accommodationShire of Nannup. Checked .
  7. Holiday parks and campgroundsShire of Augusta Margaret River. Checked .
  8. Caravan parks and campingShire of Manjimup. Checked .
  9. Nature based camping in AlbanyCity of Albany. Checked .
  10. Where and when to campParks and Wildlife Service (DBCA), Explore Parks WA. Checked . The page says it was last updated 21 September 2026.
  11. CampingParks and Wildlife Service (DBCA), Explore Parks WA. Checked . The page says it was last updated 11 February 2026.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Trek Eleven has not visited the places it mentions and does not say that any of them is open, safe or allowed.

Check before you go

Rules, fines and signs change, and councils can update their pages at any time. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Before you stay anywhere, read the sign on site and the council's own page, and check closures, fire bans and park alerts for where you are going.

More guides.

DogsDog-friendly camping in the South WestThe national park rule, the campgrounds that allow dogs, poison baits, and what councils say about beaches and reserves.Read the guide
FireFire season camping in WATotal Fire Bans, council burning periods, Fire Danger Ratings and campground fire rules, and where to check each day.Read the guide