Camping in Yanchep National Park

About an hour north of Perth on Indian Ocean Drive, Yanchep National Park offers bush camping close to the beach as well as an abundance of wildlife, nature, and history. Centered around a lake called Loch McNess, there are surprisingly few monsters to be found in the park—just birds, kangaroos, and some of the few koalas in Western Australia. That isn’t to say Yanchep doesn’t have any secrets though. In fact, the Crystal Cave was once an exclusive meeting place for Perth’s rich and famous, who’d stay overnight in the heritage-listed Yanchep Inn. While still a great option for glampers, these days campers prefer the Henry White Oval campgrounds, which are just a stone’s throw from all the park’s sights and a short drive from the crystal-clear waters of Yanchep Lagoon.

• Best for families: Henry White Oval
• Best for glampers: Yanchep Inn
• Best for nature camping: Walyunga National Park

1. Park stays must be pre-booked online. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance via the DPAW booking system.
2. You can only reserve one campsite per booking. There are 12 grass sites for tents and swags (no generators allowed) and nine tarmac campsites for campervans, camper trailers, caravans, and rooftop tents (generators allowed).
3. If the campsite is full, campers can also check out the Yanchep Inn, which offers a range of deluxe lake-view or backpacker-style accommodations in the national park.

Yanchep National Park is open for visitors and campers all year round. Camping is especially popular during the school holidays and weekends in the summer months, so you’ll want to pre-book as far in advance as possible. December to March can be quite hot, while winter is wettest (and coldest), with rain possible between May and October. However, this is also when the banksia woodlands are at their vibrant best—and also means you’ll be able to go bushwalking in peace and snag a chill camping area with just the kangaroos for company.

• Yanchep National Park is nearly an hour northwest of Perth city center.
• National park entry fees apply as well as camping fees.
• The Henry White Oval campground has hot showers, flushing toilets, a gas bbq, dishwashing sink, picnic tables, and a communal fire pit (campfires are only permitted between April and October, depending on yearly burning restrictions). The camping area does not have drinking water.
• There is an on-site kiosk for snacks, an inn where you can purchase drinks and meals, a gift shop, public barbecues, walking trails, and even a 9-hole golf course. You can also join an Aboriginal tour or private cave exploring tour (must be booked in advance).
• Yanchep Lagoon is just a 10-minute drive away and the town center has plenty of options for food and drinks as well as any snacks or anything else you need.