Just under two hours’ drive south of Perth, Bunbury may be Western Australia’s third-largest city, but it hasn’t lost that coastal, country-town feel. Probably best known for its farmers market, Bunbury is also the entryway to the forested hills, vineyards, and shores of Western Australia’s southwestern region, with both the Ferguson Valley and the Margaret River region right on its doorstep. Accommodation options are as varied as the landscapes that surround this coastal city, with everything from bush cabins, beach campsites, cosmopolitan caravan parks, and family-friendly ocean-front holiday parks with swimming pools on offer.
Pretty much the definition of the best of both worlds, Bunbury’s caravan parks offer pool-side cabins, campsites, and caravan pitches just a stone’s throw from the beach and the city, while Australind has some tranquil riverside campgrounds and caravan parks. If you prefer your camping to be a little wilder, you can head further north onto the Leschenault Peninsula, where you’ll find a handful of campgrounds sandwiched between the estuary and the ocean.
Follow the sweeping shores of Geographe Bay south and you’ll soon stumble upon Busselton, where you can stop to explore the two-kilometre-long wooden jetty and soak up the holiday vibes or head south still to Dunsborough. Two of Western Australia’s best-loved holiday destinations, both Busselton and Dunsborough offer visitors an array of camping and lodging options, from 5-star retreats on the edge of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park to campsites with 5-star views.
East of Bunbury lies the rolling hills and vineyards of Ferguson Valley and the towering forests of Wellington National Park. Home to the biggest dam mural in the world, as well as some great mountain bike tracks, riverside camping, and plenty of opportunities for swimming and paddling, Wellington National Park is a great spot to switch off and get away from it all.
With a Mediterranean-style climate—hot, dry summers and cooler, wetter winters—Bunbury is a great time for camping all year round, although you might have to bring warm layers and a rain jacket in the winter. Summer is the most popular time to go camping in Bunbury, but this also means the caravan parks and campsites fill up well in advance. If you don’t mind slightly cooler weather, spring is even better, with great weather, wildflowers, and quieter campgrounds.