Jarrahdene Campground

Jarrahdene Campground is a forest alternative to the busier coastal bases around Margaret River. Thirty-six sites sit among jarrah, marri and peppermint near Boranup Forest, with enough shared infrastructure for comfortable tent, camper-trailer and caravan stays. The key is choosing a pad that genuinely fits your setup.

Match the campsite to your rig#

DBCA lists 36 unpowered sites with different surfaces, dimensions and layouts. Some are suitable for caravans and campervans; others are restricted to tents and swags. Use the official campground page and mud map before booking, and account for tow-vehicle length as well as the van.

The wooded setting provides more visual separation and shelter than an open beach campground, but trees also mean branches, leaf litter and uneven shade. Inspect the assigned pad on arrival, keep clear of obvious hazards and use the defined parking and camping area rather than expanding into vegetation.

Facilities are useful but still basic#

Jarrahdene has no-flush pit toilets, a chemical-toilet dump point and food-preparation shelters with gas barbecues, dishwashing sinks, benches and picnic tables. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring. There are no showers, powered sites or guaranteed drinking-water taps.

Unheated rainwater may be available at the shelters, but DBCA says supply is seasonal and not guaranteed. Bring enough drinking water for the whole stay and treat any collected rainwater before consuming it. Generator use is prohibited, so battery capacity and solar planning matter for longer stays.

Fires, weather and nearby exploring#

Campfires are allowed only when conditions permit and only in provided rings, usually between April and November. Bring your own firewood; collecting timber or kindling in the park is prohibited. Check current DBCA campfire conditions immediately before use and keep a gas cooking option.

The campground is a practical base for Boranup Forest, Margaret River, caves and the coast without sleeping directly in ocean wind. Winter nights can be cold and storms are common from May to October, so waterproofing and dry storage deserve as much attention as summer fire planning.

Booking Jarrahdene#

Bookings are essential through Park Stay WA and may be made up to 180 days ahead. A per-person camping fee applies, but there is no vehicle-entry fee for Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

Save the confirmation and site map offline. If travelling with friends, remember each booking is for one campsite; adjacent sites are not guaranteed unless separately secured.

What campers say#

Public feedback collected by the Margaret River tourism site and Tripadvisor shows several recurring patterns:

• Campers often describe the forest setting as peaceful and more sheltered than coastal alternatives.
• Toilets and barbecue areas are repeatedly reported as clean and well maintained.
• The varied pad sizes work well when matched carefully, but the map is important for caravans and larger vehicles.
• Volunteer hosts are frequently valued for practical local help.
• The campground is considered a convenient base for Boranup and Hamelin Bay, though it is not a beach camp.

These reports help with expectations; DBCA remains the authority for facilities, fires and bookings.

If your dates are unavailable#

Compare Conto and other Leeuwin-Naturaliste campgrounds by vehicle fit, shelter, facilities and distance from the coast. CampWatch can monitor supported Jarrahdene dates for cancellations, but keep an alternative site map ready because the first opening may not fit your rig.