For people who like to be surrounded by the serenity of bush, there are plenty of really lovely bush camping spots in the south west of Perth. Not too far from Perth, near Dwellingup is Lane Poole Reserve. It’s a lovely place to camp with trees, a river for swimming in, clean pit toilets, fire rings and picnic tables. There are many different areas to camp in. Some camping areas have lovely sites which are private and surrounded by trees, while other camping areas are just a large bit of bare earth.

Not too much further south from Perth than Lane Poole Reserve is Logue Brook Dam. Camping by Logue Brook Dam is possible facilitated by the Lake Brockman Tourist Park. For those who like more amenities, there is a normal caravan park facility. For those looking for a bush camp experience, there are sites which only have a communal pit toilets but are surrounded by lovely bushes and trees. Swimming, kayaking, jet-skiing and all manner of water activities are allowed in the Logue Brook Dam.

Closer to Margaret River, near the Blackwood State Forrest is Canebrake Pool. There is 6km of unsealed road to get in there but it’s a lovely location with clean toilets, fire rings and swimming.

Other lovely bush camping sites we passed include Honeymoon Pool and Greenbushes Pool. Interestingly after being through most of the states, it can be said with confidence that West Australian pit toilets are the least offensive and confronting. Unfortunately, either due to the design, the remoteness or the humidity, pit toilets in the Northern Territory are the worst!

For people who enjoy a hot shower and flushing toilets but do appreciate sleeping amongst the trees, Coalmine Beach Holiday Park in Walpole ticks all the boxes. It feels like a bush camp with all the sites set amongst the trees but is has all the mod cons of a caravan park.

How do you like to camp?