Thinking about taking a road trip to Fitzgerald River National Park … i.e. one of Western Australia’s most spectacular and rugged National Parks? If you don’t know where you can set up camp while you’re there, don’t worry, we have all the answers.
Discover every Fitzgerald River National Park camping option, plus some other great campsites nearby. We’ve got you covered no matter what vehicle you drive, if you have pets, whether you like to have all the modern amenities or none at all!
Where is the Fitzgerald River National Park?
This incredible National Park is about as remote as they come in the south of the state. It is located on Western Australia’s south coast, approximately 5 hours’ drive from Perth. The town of Esperance is located about 2 hours drive (200km) east of the Fitzgerald River National Park.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit?
The answer to this question is simple – spring, of course! Spring is the best time to visit the Fitzgerald River National Park, owing to its absolutely incredible biodiversity and wildflower display. Nowhere else have I seen such vibrant, endless, rolling hills of colour in spring. The National Park is an incredible place to witness the magic of wildflower season in WA.
If you can’t make it during spring, autumn is also a great time to visit Fitzgerald River National Park. This is because the temperatures are milder, the wind is a little less hectic than summer, and it’s far less rainy than winter!
This is an extremely rugged and untouched part of Western Australia. Being on the south coast it’s normal to get constant strong winds and very hot days in summer, as well as heavy rains and crazy storms in winter. If you have the luxury to choose, avoiding the peaks of winter and summer will ensure you can enjoy the outdoors for longer.
Vehicle Access to Fitzgerald River National Park
You do not need a 4WD to access Fitzgerald River National Park, in fact you can technically reach all the vehicle-accessible campgrounds with a 2WD. However, there are some pretty chaotic gravel roads in the west of the Park, especially the one to get to St Mary Inlet Campground.
The east side of the National Park is the easiest to access with a 2WD. Sealed roads lead to two campgrounds, multiple beaches, and some awesome hiking trails.
Is there mobile phone reception?
Phone reception within the Fitzgerald River National Park is often patchy and unreliable. You will be hard pressed to get mobile coverage at any of the campsites in the National Park. This means you need to come prepared:
- Make your camp bookings ahead of time,
- Plan to have some form of backup communication, especially if you’re travelling solo,
- Tell someone where you’re going and when you intend to be back.
Cost of Entry to Fitzgerald River National Park
The cost to enter the Fitzgerald River National Park is the same as any other National Park in Western Australia. That equates to $17 per vehicle that you must pay at the pay station when you enter the park. All camping fees are in addition to your Park Entry fee. If you visit WA’s National Parks often, or are on a bigger road trip, a Parks Pass offers much better value for money.
How to Book Campsites in Fitzgerald River National Park
The booking system for campsites in the Fitzgerald River National Park can be a bit confusing. That’s because some of them are run by the local councils/shires, and some are run by the Department of Biodiversity Conversation and Attractions (DBCA).
All the campsites in the National Park are now pre-bookable – meaning you can plan ahead for your adventure! On the other hand, this also means that for most of the campgrounds you can’t just show up on the day expecting to get a site. Even if you find a free site on the day, you will still have to go online to book it… which is hard to do when there’s no phone reception!
Is Fitzgerald River National Park dog friendly?
To put it plainly – no, Fitzgerald River National Park is not dog friendly. Just like all the other National Parks in WA, pets are not permitted to enter.
East vs West Fitzgerald River National Park
Something interesting about Fitzgerald River National Park is that it’s split in two – the east and west sides. The entire park is incredibly diverse and biologically significant, meaning no matter where you decide to go, you won’t miss out.
The east side is more easily accessible than the west. Entrance to the east side is just out of Hopetoun. It has shorter distances to campgrounds and is suitable for any 2WD vehicle. You can also access the world-class Hakea Trail and the base of East Mount Barren with a 2WD.
The west is harder to access, more remote and has more challenging roads. You can access the west side near Bremer Bay, and although technically 2WD-accessible, the heavily corrugated gravel roads make this side of the National Park a bit more demanding. The reward? Complete seclusion and stunning untouched landscapes.
There are only 4 official campsites in the Fitzgerald River National Park, and one of those is only able to be accessed by walking. Please don’t free camp in the National Park – it’s a biodiversity hot spot and needs your help to protect it. Your camping and park entry fees help preserve the park and maintain the amazing trails and roads that get you to the beautiful places.
East Fitzgerald River National Park (Hopetoun side)
Most of the easy Fitzgerald River National Park camping options can be found on the east side of the Park. Let’s hear what they are!
1. Hamersley Inlet Campground
I love this campsite because it is so quiet and peaceful. It’s set amongst the trees just above the inlet and is a great place to call home while you find your own adventures.
You can launch your kayak or tinnie at the inlet boat ramp just below the campground, and with plenty of nooks and crannies the inlet makes a boundless playground. In winter the inlet becomes full of water but hasn’t broken through to the sea in a very long time. In summer though, the water in the inlet can dry out almost completely.
Managed by the Shire of Ravensthorpe, the campground is the perfect place to base yourself before you head out on the Hakea Trail to discover Whalebone Beach and Quoin Head. If you want to know more about hiking the magnificent Hakea Trail, check out my complete guide.
To join up with the Hakea Trail, there’s a walking track that takes you from the Inlet carpark out to the river mouth – a 1.7km walk through the scrub and over the rolling dunes. If you turn right (head west) from the inlet mouth, you will find the most INSANE shell beach. I was addicted to the sound it made with every step I took – a chaotic but all the same calming melody of shells and rocks smashing together underfoot. There’s a few little rockpools and lagoons to swim in, plus an amazing swimming lagoon at the end of the beach, right before the Hakea Trail heads up into the scrub.
Campground Amenities
As for the campground itself, the sites vary in size but many of them are big enough to fit a large caravan and at least 1 vehicle. Here’s what you will find there and some things you need to know:
- Undercover camp kitchen with sinks and BBQ
- Toilets (long drops)
- Rubbish bins provided
- No potable water (but there is a rainwater tank)
- No dogs are permitted
- No fires are permitted at any time
- It’s 2WD accessible
- Must be booked ahead of time on the Fitzgerald Biosphere Coast WA booking page. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to book and read all the terms and conditions before you agree.
- Sites start at $19 per night
Dieback is present in the area, so be sure to use the boot cleaning stations (there’s one at the start of the walking trail to the beach). This ensures that no contaminated soil containing pathogens and disease is spread to any of the other healthy trees in the National Park.
2. Four Mile Campground
The other easy-access campground on the east side of the Fitzgerald River National Park is Four Mile Campground. This is located right at the entrance to the National Park and is walking distance to Barrens Beach.
The recent improvements on the east side of the National Park mean that the campgrounds have become really well equipped – but also a little less ‘wild’ than you might expect on this part of the coast. The Four Mile Campground is rather a ‘formal affair’ if you ask me, with neatly laid out sites, smooth flat gravel pads and landscaped roads and paths.
You’ll love this campsite if you’re looking for all the creature comforts or are new to camping. Here’s what you will find there and a few things you need to know:
- Hot showers
- Gas BBQs
- Sheltered food preparation & picnic tables
- Bins
- Toilets
- Rainwater tank (not suitable for drinking without filtration)
- No dogs permitted
- No campfires permitted at any time
- No generators permitted
- No dump point
- Sites are unpowered
- It’s 2WD accessible – and very easy to get to
- You must book in advance via the DBCA Park Stay Website
Four Mile Campground is also a great place to stop in for the afternoon to cook up a BBQ lunch and go for a swim – even if you’re not staying there. There are a few extra car parking bays there and you can walk straight down to the beach from the BBQ area.
3. Whalebone Beach Campground
Although this campground cannot be accessed by vehicles, I couldn’t leave it off the list. It’s a hiker’s campground located along the Hakea Trail. Whalebone Beach is secluded and otherworldly – a perfect representation of the magic of this incredible place. After hiking the Hakea Trail and staying at the Whalebone Campground for the night, I got up early because I wanted to see the sunrise from the beach. I was lost for words and completely in awe watching the sun paint the rocks soft shades of orange and yellow. It was calm and quiet, and it made me feel like there was nowhere else on earth I ever needed to be.
Whalebone Campground is simple but very clean and tidy. It has a rainwater tank, a single long drop toilet, a hiker’s shelter with bunks, plus picnic tables under the large outdoor balcony. There are also some small tent pads hidden in the scrub below the hut.
If you want to know more about hiking the Hakea Trail and what to expect at the Whalebone Beach Campground, check out my complete trail guide.
West Fitzgerald River National Park (Bremer Bay side)
There’s only one official campground on the west side of the National Park, and here’s what you need to know about it.
4. St Mary Inlet Campground
Located near Point Ann, the St Mary Inlet Campground is a mission to get to! While it’s technically accessible by 2WD, I would highly recommend doing it in a 4WD. Access is via Devils Creek Road and the campsite is 70km out of Bremer Bay.
There’s a mix of sealed and unsealed roads to get to St Mary Inlet, and the gravel Devils Creek Road really lives up to its name. The road is heavily corrugated – some of the worst in Western Australia. For this reason, dual axle caravans and trailers are not permitted on the gravel roads in Fitzgerald River National Park.
The risky thing about committing to the drive out there is that the campground cannot be booked in advance… so it’s first-come, first-served. It’s ‘like the old days’ out there, the campground is basic, but the vibes are good – you’ll be able to spend some time immersed in nature and enjoy life at its simplest.
Winter isn’t a great time to go to St Mary Inlet, especially because the gravel roads are usually closed during the rainy season. This is to help stop the spread of dieback and preserve the incredible natural environment of the National Park.
Here’s a few other things to know about St Mary Inlet Campground:
- There are gas BBQs
- Picnic tables
- Drop toilets
- No bins (take your rubbish away with you)
- No water available (must bring all your own)
- No fires are permitted
- The campsite is not bookable – you must pay cash on arrival to the camp hosts
- $15 per adult per night
- $5 per child per night
- School holidays and summer are peak periods – because there’s no bookings it’s ‘drive at your own risk’, knowing that the campground could be full when you arrive.
- To avoid disappointment, try to arrive early in the day, and speak with the camp hosts when you arrive – if you can’t find a spot to camp then at least you’ll have time to drive back out of the National Park that same day.
Safety is always important when travelling to remote areas. If you’re planning to head to St Mary Inlet in a 4WD, be sure to carry at least 1 spare tyre (minimum) and 4WD recovery gear if you plan to adventure around. It’s always a good idea to carry some form of backup communication such as a personal locator beacon, and at the very least have a 2-way radio.
If you’re up for late winter whale-watching, wildflower spotting, bird watching, hiking, long walks on the beach, kayaking, fishing, and just taking it easy – you can’t go wrong at St Mary Inlet. That is, after you’ve conquered the road to get there!
Bonus Campgrounds (Outside the Fitzgerald River National Park)
If you have pets or don’t want to stay in the National Park, these next few campgrounds are just for you. Located about 40km to 50km east of Hopetoun (to the east of the National Park) are a few campgrounds that are run by the Shire of Ravensthorpe and the Shire of Esperance.
Popular among the residents of Esperance and surrounding farming towns, they’re nothing fancy, but they are laid-back, family friendly campgrounds that are walking distance to the beach.
If you’re visiting during winter or after rain, be aware that localised flooding can cut off the roads. If you want to know about recent road conditions, you can check out the Fitzgerald Coast website.
5. Starvation Bay Campground (Shire of Ravensthorpe)
With such an ominous name you might be surprised at just how beautiful this campground is! The campsites are set just metres from the stunning turquoise lagoon where you can go swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, or fishing. Here’s what else you need to know about Starvation Bay Campground:
- There’s 33 campsites
- Vacation swimming lessons run in the bay there every year
- There’s long drop toilets
- There’s a dump point
- Sites are unpowered
- Generators are permitted
- Dogs are permitted on a leash only
- Campfires are permitted in unrestricted seasons only, and only within the cement fire rings.
- No potable water
- Intermittent phone signal
- The campground is accessible by 2WD, but the route does include gravel roads
- 4WD beach access and boat launch areas are available
- Pre-booking is essential (via the Fitzgerald Coast website)
6. Mason Bay Campground (Shire of Ravensthorpe)
Much like Starvation Bay, Mason Bay Campground offers visitors a chance to relax and get back to the simple things. Mason Bay Campground has 34 campsites, and pre-booking is essential there too.
Check out the list of information for Starvation Bay above – it’s the same for Mason Bay.
7. Munglinup Beach Campground (Shire of Esperance)
This campground is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s run by the Shire of Esperance, and you cannot book a campsite in advance. It’s a magical spot to spend a week swimming, kayaking, and snorkelling in the protected lagoon, or fishing beyond.
There are only 10 campsites available there, so visiting in peak season likely means you’ll struggle to find a spot. Here’s a few other things you need to know about Munglinup Beach Campground:
- It’s located about 1 hour drive east of Hopetoun (72km)
- It has a rainwater tank (non-potable water, must be boiled or treated)
- Long drop toilets
- Dogs are permitted on leash only
- Fires are permitted outside of the restricted burning season
- There’s no other facilities or amenities – bring your own food, water and fuel
- The campground is accessible by 2WD – however there are gravel roads on the route
8. Caravan Parks
If you want some creature comforts or want to support the local communities, staying a night or two at the towns’ caravan parks will be a refreshing change. Here’s a list of the caravan parks in the nearby towns of Bremer Bay, Hopetoun, and Ravensthorpe, plus one that’s just minutes away from the Munglinup Beach Campground.
- Bremer Bay Caravan Park
- Bremer Bay Beaches Resort Tourist Park
- Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park
- Wavecrest Tourist Park (Hopetoun)
- Green Haven Tourist Park (Ravensthorpe)
- Munglinup Beach Holiday Park
9. Free RV sites
If you have a fully self-contained vehicle (that has an onboard toilet that doesn’t need to connect to sewer/water) then you can stay in one of these RV sites for free for a maximum of 48 hours. They’re a great option if you’re passing through on a longer trip or need to stock up your camper’s water supply.
Dump points and potable water are available in the nearby towns. Here’s where you can find the free RV sites:
- Ravensthorpe RV Friendly Site: Opposite BP roadhouse on Morgan Street.
- Hopetoun RV Site: The Esplanade, walking distance to town centre.
- Munglinup RV Site: Opposite the Munglinup Roadhouse on Tubada Street, enter from the South Coast Highway.
Looking for other things to do nearby?
Why not check out my epic local’s guide to Esperance! From the world’s best beach, to the best coffee in town, National Park adventures, surfing, snorkelling, camping, hiking, incredible food, live gigs, and an island to explore…your options are endless.
