Planning a pet-friendly camping trip in Western Australia requires checking each exact site. National parks and many conservation reserves exclude pets, while only designated public campgrounds and private properties accept dogs. National parks are generally off-limits. Some state forests welcome dogs; others don't. Private and DBCA-managed sites vary wildly. But here's the honest truth: WA has some of the best dog friendly camping in the country — you just need to know where it is.
This guide covers current dog-friendly options across the south-west, Coral Coast and Pilbara, plus the safety and booking details that materially affect a trip.
WA's pet camping rules: what you need to know first#
Before you pack the car, a quick primer will save you hours of frustration.
National parks and conservation reserves: Pets are generally not permitted. Assistance animals, travel through a park where there is no practical alternative, and specifically designated dog areas have separate rules. Check the exact Explore Parks WA page.
State forests: Dogs are not automatically allowed throughout every forest or campground. DBCA publishes a designated list; where dogs are permitted they must be kept on-leash, and current site pages may also warn of ongoing 1080 baiting.
Conservation parks and nature reserves: Most do not permit dogs, but there are exceptions. Always check the specific park page on the Explore Parks WA pets-in-parks page before you go.
Private campgrounds, holiday parks, and stations: Rules vary by property. Many actively welcome dogs year-round; some restrict pets during peak school holiday periods. Check the individual property's booking page.
On-leash requirements: At virtually every pet-friendly site in WA — whether public or private — dogs must be on a lead or under effective control. Off-leash areas in the bush are rare and usually restricted to private properties with enclosed paddocks.
1080 bait warning: critical safety information#
This section isn't in most camping guides, but it should be. Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) poison baiting is widely used across WA — including in state forests, national parks, and private pastoral land — to control foxes, feral cats, and other introduced species.
1080 is lethal to domestic dogs, even in small amounts. There is no antidote.
Before camping with your dog in any WA state forest or rural area:
- Check for yellow 1080 warning signs at the entry point and on access roads
- Contact the local DBCA district office to ask about current baiting programs
- Keep your dog on-lead at all times — never let them forage, sniff around bait stations, or eat anything off the ground
- If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, get to an emergency vet immediately — time is the only factor that can help
This is not a rare risk. Baiting programs run year-round across large parts of WA, particularly in the south-west, wheatbelt, and pastoral regions. Check before you go.
Pet friendly campsites WA at a glance#
| Campground | Region | Cost | Dogs | Drive from Perth | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosy Corner East | Albany region | $15/family site | On-lead | ~5 hrs | Walk-in |
| Big Brook Arboretum | Pemberton | $15/adult | On-lead | ~3.5 hrs | Book online |
| Alexandra Bridge | Margaret River region | $15/adult | On-lead | ~3 hrs | Walk-in |
| Sues Bridge | Blackwood River | $15/adult | On-lead | ~2.5 hrs | Book online |
| Lane Poole Reserve | Dwellingup | $20/adult + park entry | On-lead at designated camps | ~1.5 hrs | Book online |
| Ellendale Pool | Geraldton region | Council fee applies | Verify locally | ~4.5 hrs | Check council |
| Blowholes Eco Reserve | Point Quobba | $30/site | On-lead | ~11 hrs | Book online |
| Warroora Homestead | Coral Coast | Check operator | On-lead | ~13 hrs | Book online |
| Cleaverville | Karratha region | Seasonal fees | On-leash in public | ~16 hrs | Permit online |
Best south-west pet friendly campsites near the coast#
The south-west corner of WA is the most accessible region for Perth campers. State forests dominate the inland, while coastal options are limited — most beaches near Margaret River and Augusta sit within national parks or marine parks. Here are the exceptions worth planning a trip around.
1. Cosy Corner East — west of Albany#
Drive from Perth: About 5 hours south | Cost: $15 per family site per night | Dog policy: On-leash
Cosy Corner East is a City of Albany nature-based campground about 35km west of Albany, not near Bremer Bay and not DBCA-managed. Sites cannot be pre-booked. Dogs are allowed on-leash, a seven-day limit applies, water is non-potable and fires are prohibited.
Facilities: Public toilets and limited rubbish facilities; bring drinking water.
Practical tip: Check the City of Albany camping page and local signs before arrival because walk-in capacity cannot be guaranteed.
2. Big Brook Arboretum — near Pemberton#
Drive from Perth: About 3.5 hours south | Cost: $15 per adult, $5 per child | Dog policy: On-leash; bookings essential
Big Brook Arboretum is a bookable DBCA campground in Big Brook State Forest. Dogs are permitted on-leash; current camping fees apply and there is no separate park-entry fee.
It's shaded, cool, and wildly photogenic — the tall straight trunks have an almost unreal quality in the late afternoon light. Dogs on-lead are welcome throughout.
Facilities: Toilets are available; check the current campground page for all other facilities and fire restrictions.
Practical tip: Book before travelling and follow the site's ongoing 1080 warning.
3. Alexandra Bridge — Blackwood River Valley#
Drive from Perth: About 3 hours south | Cost: $15 per adult | Dog policy: Pet-friendly; first-come, first-served
Alexandra Bridge is a Shire of Augusta Margaret River campground on the Blackwood River, not a DBCA campground. Current council information describes it as pet-friendly with unpowered, first-come sites.
This is a popular spot with the four-wheel drive community, but midweek it's quiet enough to feel like you've found a private retreat. The canoe trails on the Blackwood are worth a half-day.
Facilities: Drop toilets, no showers. Bring your own water.
Practical tip: The Margaret River Wine Region is 30 minutes north — most cellar doors and restaurants are dog-friendly in their outdoor areas. Combine a camping trip with a leisurely winery day.
Pet friendly campsites within 2 hours of Perth#
For quick weekend escapes, the Dwellingup area is the standout option for Perth dog owners. About 1.5 hours south, the Jarrahdale and Dwellingup state forests have a cluster of free and low-cost campgrounds where dogs on-lead are welcome.
4. Lane Poole Reserve — Dwellingup#
Drive from Perth: About 1.5 hours south | Cost: $20 per adult and $5 per child, plus park entry | Dog policy: On-leash at designated campgrounds; book through DBCA
Lane Poole Reserve sits on the Murray River and is one of the most accessible dog-friendly camping options near Perth. The campground has multiple sites spread through jarrah forest with river frontage, swimming holes, and some of the best mountain biking in WA running through the surrounding trails.
Dogs are permitted only in specified places within Lane Poole Reserve, including Baden Powell, Chuditch, Nanga Brook and Nanga Mill. They must remain on-leash. The site pages also carry ongoing 1080 baiting warnings, so do not let dogs forage or pick up material from the ground.
Facilities: Pit toilets, no showers, fire pits. Baden Powell has a camp kitchen. Book online through the DBCA Parks and Wildlife booking system.
Practical tip: Book early for peak dates and check the current DBCA site page and alerts before travel. For cancelled bookings, CampWatch can notify you when supported campground availability reappears.
5. Sues Bridge — Blackwood River, Nannup#
Drive from Perth: About 2.5 hours south | Cost: $15 per adult, $5 per child | Dog policy: On-leash; bookings essential
Sues Bridge is a bookable DBCA campground in Blackwood River National Park. Dogs are permitted on-leash at this designated campground; camping fees apply but park entry is free.
Facilities: Drop toilets, no showers. Very basic, very peaceful.
Practical tip: The Blackwood River can flood after heavy rain. Check river conditions if you're visiting in winter — the access track can become impassable.
Coral Coast pet friendly campsites#
The Coral Coast stretches from Geraldton to Exmouth and beyond — and while most of the national parks (including Ningaloo Reef Marine Park) are dog-free, there are several free and low-cost camping areas where dogs are welcome.
6. Ellendale Pool — Greenough River#
Drive from Perth: About 4.5 hours north | Cost: Council camping fees apply | Dog policy: Verify current local rules before arrival
Ellendale Pool is about 45km south-east of Geraldton on the Greenough River, not the Murchison River. The City of Greater Geraldton confirms overnight camping, but current pet, fee and facility details should be checked directly rather than relying on old fee schedules.
Bring drinking water and check road and site conditions before travelling.
Practical tip: Visit outside summer. The Murchison is stunning in autumn and winter, and the heat is brutal in January and February.
7. Blowholes (Point Quobba) — North of Carnarvon#
Drive from Perth: About 11 hours north | Cost: $30 per campsite per night (up to six people) | Dog policy: On-leash; 1080 warnings apply
The Blowholes at Point Quobba are a WA icon — ocean geysers shooting metres into the air through rock fissures when the swell is right. The Blowholes Eco Reserve campground is bookable and fee-paying. Dogs are welcome on-leash under Shire rules.
This is remote, windswept camping — no trees, no shade, big skies and bigger waves. Stock up on supplies in Carnarvon (60km south) before heading out.
Facilities: Toilets and rubbish bins; no water. A chemical toilet is mandatory for overnight campers.
Practical tip: Book a numbered site before travelling and review current reserve conditions.
8. Warroora Station — Coral Bay region#
Drive from Perth: About 13 hours north | Cost: Check current operator rates | Dog policy: Leashed dogs permitted in the campground
Warroora Station's current pet-friendly option is its Homestead campground, about 2km from the beach. The campground has unpowered sites, toilets, showers and a basic camp kitchen. A 4WD is required to access the beach.
Dogs must remain leashed and are not permitted inside most accommodation. Book directly and confirm the current pet conditions.
Facilities: Toilets, showers and a basic camp kitchen at the Homestead campground.
Practical tip: Keep dogs out of adjoining national-park areas and follow all local signs.
Seasonal pet-friendly camping in the Pilbara#
9. Cleaverville Beach — near Karratha#
Drive from Perth: About 16 hours north | Cost: Seasonal fees apply | Dog policy: On-leash in public places
Cleaverville is a City of Karratha nature-based campground about 20 minutes north-west of Karratha. The managed camping season runs from 1 May to 30 September and an online permit is required. Off-season stays are limited and fee arrangements differ, so use the live council booking page.
Facilities: Public toilets, a natural boat ramp and sullage disposal; no drinking water.
Practical tip: Dogs are permitted under local law but must remain leashed and controlled in public. The campground can close at short notice, so check the live council page before the long drive.
What to pack when camping with your dog in WA#
WA camping trips often involve remote locations, long drives, and limited services. Preparation matters more than in some other states.
For your dog:
- Tick and flea prevention (up-to-date before you leave)
- Ehrlichiosis awareness — it is established in parts of northern WA; ask your vet about suitable tick prevention before travel and seek prompt veterinary advice if your dog becomes unwell
- Extra water (at least 2L per day per dog in warm conditions, more in summer)
- Familiar bedding and a favourite toy to help them settle in new environments
- Long lead (10m) and ground stake for camp comfort
- Poo bags — carry out everything
- Dog first-aid kit recommended by your veterinarian; do not administer poisoning treatments unless a vet or animal poison service directs you
- Know the nearest emergency vet to each campsite before you leave home
For 1080 areas specifically:
- Keep your dog on-lead at all times — no exceptions
- Don't let them sniff around tree stumps, burrow entrances, or unfamiliar food items on the ground
- Note the nearest emergency vet before you arrive — 1080 poisoning is extremely time-critical
Plan your WA dog camping trip#
Pet friendly camping in Western Australia rewards those who plan ahead. National-park and conservation-reserve restrictions remove many obvious options, but designated DBCA sites, council campgrounds and private properties still provide dog-friendly choices.
The spots on this list span roughly 90 minutes to 16 hours from Perth — WA is genuinely big, and the driving distances between destinations are real. But that also means once you find a campground and set up, you're likely to have it largely to yourself.
Do your homework on 1080 before you go. Keep your dog on-lead. And carry more water than you think you'll need — for both of you.
For popular bookable sites like Lane Poole Reserve (Dwellingup area), cancellations can return availability. CampWatch sends an SMS when a supported booking system reports a match. Setting an alert uses no credit; check the current notification-credit terms.
Your dog's been waiting long enough. Get out there.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my dog to a national park in Western Australia?
Pets are generally not permitted in Western Australian national parks and other conservation reserves. Assistance animals and limited through-travel or specifically designated dog areas are treated separately. Check the exact Explore Parks WA page before travel.
Are there dog friendly beaches near Perth to camp at?
Options are limited because many coastal campgrounds sit inside reserves where pets are not permitted. Current council-managed options include Cosy Corner East west of Albany, the Blowholes Eco Reserve at Point Quobba and seasonal Cleaverville camping near Karratha. Check each live operator page before making the drive.
Is 1080 baiting a risk for dogs in WA state forests?
Yes, this is a serious and underappreciated risk. 1080 sodium fluoroacetate is widely used across WA state forests and rural properties to control foxes and feral animals. It's lethal to domestic dogs and there is no antidote. Always check for warning signs at forest entrances, keep your dog on-lead at all times, and contact the local DBCA district office to ask about current baiting programs before your visit.
What is Ehrlichiosis and should I be worried when camping in WA?
Ehrlichiosis is a serious disease spread by infected brown dog ticks and is established in parts of northern WA. Ask your vet about suitable tick prevention before travel, check your dog regularly, and contact a vet promptly if the dog becomes unwell or shows possible symptoms.
How do I find dog-friendly campgrounds in WA state forests?
Use Explore Parks WA's current pets-in-parks list and the exact campground page. Dogs are allowed only at designated places, must remain leashed, and some sites have ongoing 1080 baiting warnings.