24 Jun 5 Must See National Parks in WA’s South West.
There are plenty more that 5 National Parks in WA’s South West, we have narrowed it down to 5 must see parks. If you are planning a road trip or a weekend getaway keep reading to see which National Park should be next on your list.
The South West of WA has some of the most stunning national parks. With thick forests and amazing landscapes its worth a visit to some of these national parks. Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, with all that land comes some pretty amazing landscape and National Parks to explore.
If you are visiting WA you can’t go without a visit to one of our amazing national Parks. There are some pretty amazing places north however they are very seasonal and very remote. The South West can be visited all year round and a lot more accessible for tourists and for smaller budgets or short, weekend getaways.
5 must see national parks in the south west.
- Wellington NP
- Boranup
- Warren
- William Bay National Park
- Stirling Ranges NP
Each national park is individual in its own way and what activities it has to offer.
Wellington National Park
If you like nature, swimming, kayaking, 4wd’ing, fishing, water skiing, hiking, camping, bird watching, MTB’ing or just relaxing this is the park for you. Just 2 hrs sth of perth CBD this is a short drive away. Wellington NP is a favourite weekend getaway because of its close proximity to Perth.
It really does have it all. In winter it’s cold here, but also amazing to enjoy a campfire or a misty morning walk. In summer you can swim, fish or even water ski in the dam. There are multiple mountain bike tracks and hiking tracks you can enjoy all year round. If you enjoy fishing there are maron in the river and fishing in the dam.
If you are interested to read more about camping click HERE for our in depth review.
Getting there: 2hrs sth of Perth
Stay:
- Camping: There are 2 main camping grounds here, potters gorge and honeymoon pool, however other camping sites are available such as Glencoat and stony brook.
- Accomodation: Plenty of accommodation options in Collie or the Ferguson Valley
Fees / Facilities: NO entrance fee to this park.
Boranup
The Boranup NP is a stunning forest. It is filled with amazing karri trees that tower up to 35m in height. It’s quite serene in this forest, if you go off the beaten track and just soak up all that nature.
There is one main campsite with only 7 camping bays that are a first come first serve basis. OR you can pre-book a campsite at Contos which has a whopping 116 campsite. This NP offers amazing forest drives, walking tracks, 4wd beaches, fishing spots, mazes and caves to explore. Not to mention it’s just a stones throw away from the margaret river wine region. If you need to enjoy a boujee winery lunch or a dash into town for some supplies.
Getting there: 3 ½ hrs south of perth
Stay:
- Camping: Camp at Conto’s Campground
- Accomodation: Plenty of accommodation throughout the margaret river region
Fees / Facilities: No entry fee to this park.
Warren National Park
The sheer scale of the Karri trees here will amaze you. If you thought Boranup was amazing… the Karri trees here are about 10m taller and the forest is much more dense. This national park has some lovely hiking trails to enjoy, a river to explore on kayak or SUP.
You can camp in amongst the Karri trees at Warren campground that offer a few spots that are again on a first come first serve basis. Thankfully this isn’t a hugely popular spot because it’s tucked away in the bush. If you miss out on a campsite there is always “big brook dam” in Pemberton you should get a spot at.
This national park is lush in winter and the surrounding area includes Pemberton, plenty of wineries and the famous Gloucester tree which towers 50m above the tree canopy. In summer you can take a refreshing dip in the river or try your luck throwing a line in for some trout or marron. Mostly you will enjoy some rnr in this stunning forest. For our full in depth review click HERE.
Getting There: 3 ¾ hr dive sth of perth
Stay:
- Accomodation: Plenty of accommodation in Pemberton, the closest town.
William Bay National Park
I’m almost offended when West Aussies say they have never been here or know where it is. William Bay NP sits on the coast of Denmark.
This part of the rainbow coast is truly stunning. The coast line is littered with amazing granite rock and turquoise water. There are hiking trails dotted through the park (like Monkey Rock) but most famously the beaches of Elephant Rocks and Green’s Pool.
If you enjoy camping you will have to stay at Parry’s Beach or a caravan park in town. The fishing and surfing along this coast is not to be missed if that’s your thing. I would advise visiting in summer or the warmer months so you can enjoy the beaches. However it is still stunning in winter, swimming might just be off the list of things to do.
For our full in depth review, see HERE.
Getting there: 4 ½ – 5 hrs south of perth.
Stay:
- Camp: Camp at Parry’s Beach or Light Beach Caravan park.
- Accommodation: Loads of accommodation in Denmark Town.
Fees / Facilities:
No entrance fee to access this park. In 2021 the shire underwent a massive upgrade of the roads and toilet facilities. All the beach entrances have toilets and a nice new bitumen road.
Stirling Ranges National Park
This park is a must see if you are on your way to Albany or make it your destination. Home to the highest peak in WA, Bluff Knoll. Which offers some pretty epic instagram shots, sunsets or sunrises. Bluff Knoll is challenging however manageable, the other hikes and peaks around here do require a bit of fitness due to their grading and elevation, so if you want an adventurous getaway… this park is for you.
Bluff knoll is the highest point in WA and the only place in WA that snows. The ideal time to visit is Spring or Autumn. Winter it can get very cold, windy and dangerous so always make sure this hike is weather permitting. In the peak of summer it can get very warm so be sensible, don’t hike in the heat of the day. See full review HERE.
If you are not able bodied there are 3 lookouts that are stunning to take in the landscape, western lookout, central lookout and eastern lookout (which is the Bluff Knoll carpark).
The park offers loads of other things to explore and neighboring hikes in the Porongurups. Castle Rock is an amature hike which overlooks the Stirling Ranges and is quite a lookout.
Getting There: 4-4 ½ hrs sth of Perth.
Stay:
- Camping: You can camp at Moingup Springs (24hr camping only) or there is the the Stirling Range Retreat or Mt Trio Bush Camp.
- Accommodation: Plenty of accommodation in Mt Barker (20min drive) or in Albany (40min drive) or in the Porongurups.
Fee’s / Facilities:
$15 per car per day, payable at the entry station. The lookouts have long drop toilets and picnic benches. Most of the roads are sealed, the unsealed roads are always in good condition for 2wd access.
South West National Park road trip.
These National Parks in the South West are all quite close to one another and you can visit them all on one road trip if you are after a nature and adventure filled getaway. I would allow 7 days for this road trip. Enough time for some adventure and time for some r&r.
Start with Wellington National Park, just 2 ½ hrs sth of Perth. Then continue down the Forest Hwy to the Boranup Forest in Margaret River which is approx 2 hrs drive. Spend a few days here or continue on to Warren National Park, a stunning 1 ¾ drive through the amazing south west forests. Next it is William Bay National Park which is a 2-2 ½ hr drive. You can camp at Parry’s Beach or head in to find accommodation in Denmark. Next on the list is the Stirling Ranges National Park, a short 1 ½ hr. Spend some time in the Stirling Ranges if you want to do any of the hikes. Stirling Ranges to Perth is approx 4-4 ½ hrs drive so if that is too long there are plenty of amazing country towns to explore on the way home.
Final Thoughts
Go explore these national parks in WA’s South West for yourself. They are all beautiful and unique in their own way. Depending on what activities you enjoy these parks will cater for everyone.
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