The best camping near Gloucester National Park

Probably best known as the home of the really, really tall Gloucester Tree, Gloucester National Park in Pemberton has plenty more to offer besides one of the world’s best climbing trees, which was used as a fire lookout back in the 1940s. Campers can check out the great walking and mountain bike tracks, as well as the Karri Forest Explorer, an 86-kilometre driving trail that winds its way through the towering forests. And, while there’s no camping in the park itself, campers have plenty of options in the neighbouring national park or nearby Big Brook Arboretum, which is both a wildlife haven and a great spot to set up camp—especially in spring when all the trees are in flower.

1. There aren’t any campsites in Gloucester National Park, but that’s just an opportunity to go exploring and see what else is around. Nearby national park campgrounds include Warren National Park and the Big Brook Arboretum, which operate on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as Shannon Campground, which can be booked 180 days in advance.
2. Summer and school holidays are the busiest times to camp, so you’ll want to get down early to snag a spot—and make sure you have a backup campsite (or two), just in case.
3. Campgrounds in Warren National Park are best accessed with 4WD in the winter months and after rain. Having a 4WD is absolutely not essential to visit Gloucester National Park, but it does also open up more options for camping in summer as well.

Gloucester National Park is open all year round, though most campers tend to visit during the summer months when the weather is best. While winter can be a little wet, May to October is the perfect time to go camping and explore the bush when it’s all green and misty and beautiful. It’s also prime time to score a quiet campsite and enjoy a campfire (fires are not allowed during the hot summer months). Spring campers will also have the chance to catch some of southwestern Western Australia’s famed wildflower displays.

• Gloucester National Park is located on the edges of Pemberton in Australia’s southwest. The park is best known for the Gloucester Tree, which is a huge climbing tree with pegs, platforms, and no safety nets.
• There are plenty of food and drink options in Pemberton and a caravan park if you prefer staying closer to the action.
• Most of the national park and DPAW campground facilities are pretty limited, with only composting toilets and no drinking water, but there are plenty of shops and roadhouses for supplies and fuel along the way.