This postcard-worthy village is home to some of the best views—and surf breaks—in Western Australia.
Ringed by crashing waves, rolling vineyards, artist studios, and old-growth forests, Yallingup offers picture-perfect views everywhere you look—even underground. Just three hours south of Perth, the town sits on the edge of Western Australia’s Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, between Dunsborough and Margaret River, and above a labyrinthine network of limestone caverns. Meaning “Place of Caves” in the local Noongar language, Yallingup is home to the popular Ngilgi Cave, although most campers tend to stay above ground, with plenty of caravan parks and campsites on offer, from waterfront holiday parks to secluded tent sites in groves filled with peppermint trees.
Whether you like bush campsites, waterfront caravan parks, or beach camping, Yallingup has it all—though the latter may involve a little hiking, with some of the best tent sites found on the popular Cape to Cape walking trail. If you’d prefer something more luxe, Yallingup is also great for glamping, with family-friendly chalets, quirky bell tents, and kitted-out caravans complete with cosy firepits and swimming lakes. You’ll be close to popular spots like Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Yallingup Beach, Canal Rocks, and Injidup Natural Spa.
On one side of Yallingup, you’ll find Dunsborough, and on the other, Margaret River, Western Australia’s wine capital. Two of the state’s most popular holiday destinations, both have a range of caravan parks, holiday parks, and campsites to suit everyone from families with dogs to couples after a quiet Indian Ocean beach break. Some local wineries and breweries even offer on-site campgrounds, so you can enjoy all the fruits of the land without worrying about how to get home.
The gateway to the southwest, the coastal town of Busselton is another popular holiday destination and a great option for campers who want to stay slightly closer to the city lights but still have the bounty of the Margaret River region on their doorstep. Known for its 2-kilometre wooden jetty—complete with train and underwater observatory—Busselton features beachfront caravan parks and holiday parks with fully kitted out camp kitchens, as well as nature-based campsites and hidden chalets.
East of Yallingup lies a (semi) untouched wilderness, with towering karri forests and farmland rolling on alongside the meandering Blackwood River National Park. Further inland, the chocolate-box town of Nannup has plenty to offer, from kayaking and outdoor adventures to campsites next to lavender farms and natural pools in the forest. Barrabup Pool is one of our favorites, although to be a little closer to Yallingup, you’ll find some great camping areas near Canebrake Pool as well.
The summer months are the most popular time to go camping near Yallingup, with most campsites filling up well in advance, especially between December and February. If you don’t mind a little wind, spring in the southwest is spectacular, with migrating whales passing by and wildflowers blooming along the Indian Ocean coastline. Autumn is usually fairly dry and cool, while the wetter winter months offer quieter campgrounds and national parks, secluded beaches, misty mornings, and star-studded nights around the campfire.