Forest camping near Geraldton
The gateway to the Coral Coast features beaches, sea life, pink lakes, and wildflowers galore.
- Geraldton
Popular camping styles for Geraldton
Forest camping near Geraldton guide
Overview
The happening hub of the Midwest, Geraldton is the epitome of country-meets-coast. About 4.5 hours north of Perth, the city itself has plenty to offer—from historic architecture to street art and white-sand beaches to rock lobsters—but it’s the attractions around Geraldton that put it on the map. From the Abrolhos islands to the western wildflower trails, the rolling hills of Chapman Valley, the vibrant pink hues of Hutt Lagoon, and the red rocks and rivers of Kalbarri National Park, Geraldton is the jumping-off point to some of Western Australia’s must-see sights. It’s also a dream spot to go camping, with options ranging from ocean-view campsites to family-friendly holiday parks and cosy chalets.
Where to go
Geraldton & Vicinity
The only city in the Midwest, Geraldton is a great spot to base yourself if you like to be close to the action. Dotted around the city’s CBD and foreshore, you’ll find a handful of caravan parks, holiday parks, and 24-hour car parks, where campers in self-contained motorhomes can stay overnight. If you prefer being on the outskirts, there are plenty of options too, from historic homesteads to relaxing river-front camping areas, where you can pitch up and enjoy all the beauty of the bush, especially during wildflower season.
Horrocks Beach & Port Gregory
Once voted one of Australia’s best beaches, Horrocks is a quaint coastal town north of Geraldton popular with campers and 4WDers. Offering plenty in the way of holiday parks and campsites, it’s a good spot for a bbq and a relaxing camping trip. Alternatively, you can continue on the northwest coastal highway to Port Gregory, where you’ll find funky campsites and caravan parks sandwiched between the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean and the flamingo-coloured waters of Hutt Lagoon.
Greenough & Dongara
While Geraldton is known for its rock lobster, Western Australia’s official rock lobster capital is actually a quirky town called Dongara, which is 45 minutes south. Complete with a giant red lobster, caravan parks, and beaches, Dongara is a great place to set up shop, although there are plenty of accommodation options between Dongara and Geraldton, including Greenough, a living 19th-century ghost town with funky windswept trees.
Kalbarri & Kalbarri National Park
Just under two hours north of Geraldton on the north west coastal highway, the town of Kalbarri is another popular camping spot with a relaxed, holiday park vibe and plenty of accommodation options to suit campers, backpackers, and glampers alike. The jumping-off point to Kalbarri National Park, Kalbarri is a best-of-both-worlds kind of town, where you can enjoy camping on the foreshore and hiking through the dramatic red-rock landscapes of the national park.
When to go
The coastal breeze makes Geraldton a balmy year-round destination, with warm winters and warm summers with a few hotter days here and there. School holidays are especially busy, with campsites around Kalbarri and Geraldton filling up fast in the summer and winter holidays. Wildflower season—from the end of August to mid-October—is also pretty popular, with Western Australia’s prized carpets of wildflowers attracting campers and nature lovers from around the globe.
