The Golden Outback of West Australia and was once the centre of the wild gold rush days. It’s mysterious, full of charming landscapes, salt lakes, untouched forest and outback plains. The 4WD lovers get to enjoy riding on the pristine beaches surrounding Esperance and inside the red desert.
The trip within the Golden Outback takes you from the beach to the wildflower fields as well as the old gold mining fields. Along the way, stop in Kalgoorlie, the biggest town in the outback and a real representation of the region’s past. There’s an abundance of free camps in the Golden Outback, and these are the ones worth visiting!
- Dunn Rocks Beach Camp
- Membinup Beach
- Condingup Community Hall
- Truslove Rest Area
- Peak Charles Camp
- Hopetoun SC Rest Area
- Kalgoorlie-Boulder Rest Area
- Lake Douglas
- Kambalda West Rest Area
- Peace Gorge Campground & Picnic Area
- Lake Mason Homestead
- Malcolm Dam Nature Reserve
- Niagara Dam
- Seaweeds Camp
- Norseman RV Rest Area
- Old Telegraph Station Camp
Read Next: Everything You Need To Know About Free Camping In Australia
Dunn Rocks Beach Camp
Dunn Rocks are one of the most picturesque camps near Esperance, only 45km, mostly over sealed road except the last 14km. Although it features a large area to camp, it gets bustling around sunset. You can camp on the sand between the dunes and try fishing right off the rocks!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets
Access: 4WD; Motorbike
Phone Service: None
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: 4WD Tracks; Walking Tracks; Wildlife; Swimming; Fishing
Time Limit: None
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Membinup Beach
Membinup Beach is 70km from Esperance via a 4WD track from Daniels Road. It’s a bush camp with no facilities, but the beach is at your doorstep. You can go rock-hopping, fishing and enjoy some magnificent sunsets on the secluded beach. The turquoise waters are shallow at the entrance – perfect for kids!
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 4WD; Off-road Caravans
Phone Service: None
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; 4WD Tracks; Picnic Tables; Swimming; Fishing
Time Limit: None
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Condingup Community Hall
A good overnighter for self-contained campers next to the oval in Condingup. It’s spacious, clean and there are plenty of shaded and sunny spots. Nearby you’ll find a tavern, a small playground for kids and a general store selling drinking water. It’s an excellent base to explore Esperance, Dolphin Cove or Wharton Beach.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Picnic Tables; Playground
Time Limit: 24 Hours
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Truslove Rest Area
A good stopover with four campsites near the Truslove Nature Reserve. It’s a single-lane gravel road with pull-off space along the right side of the track. It’s close to the road but tranquil at night and perfect for a morning walk in nature before heading off.
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 2WD; Caravans
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Wildlife
Time Limit: None
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Peak Charles Camp
Peak Charles National Park provides a free camp with nice facilities for about six vehicles at a time. It’s a little tight, so don’t try it if you’re with a big rig, and the spots are not as flat. Lovely walks with varying difficulty are available up to Peak Charles. Pets are not permitted since it’s a baited area. Camping in tents is allowed.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets
Access: 2WD; Caravans
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; BBQ; Picnic Tables; Open Fire Pits; Walking Tracks; Wildlife
Time Limit: None
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Hopetoun SC Rest Area
The friendly town of Hopetoun provides free camping at a rest area up to 48 hours for self-contained vehicles with a greywater tank attached. The camp is very close to the beach, a super stocked IGA, as well as a car wash where you can get a hot shower. You’ll find a kid’s playground down the road. It starts to get packed in the afternoon, so hit it up early to pick a good spot.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; 4WD Tracks; Cycling & Walking Tracks; Swimming; Fishing; Wildlife; TV Reception
Time Limit: 48 Hours
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Kalgoorlie-Boulder Rest Area
Kalgoorlie is an RV friendly town with a free camping area at the Centennial Park with no two nights in a row policy. You can stay up to 24 hours and revisit after at least one night. You have to be self-contained. It’s an excellent spot to unhitch and explore the town, stock up on necessities or enjoy a nice meal in the city.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets
Access: 2WD; Caravans
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Drinking Water; Walking Tracks; Playground; TV Reception; Wildlife
Time Limit: 24 Hours
Read Next: 7 Incredible Australia’s Golden Outback Experiences To Have On Your Big Lap
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Lake Douglas
A picture-perfect camp with superb facilities right at the shore of the lake with lots of space to ensure privacy. It’s easy to find, and the road down to the base is well maintained. Ideal for those looking for a secluded, quiet spot in nature and still be only 15 minutes away from Kalgoorlie. It’s more crowded on the weekends, and there are some mosquitoes at dusk.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Yes
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-drinking Water; BBQs; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; 4WD Tracks; Walking Tracks; Wildlife; Swimming; Fishing; Boat Ramp Nearby
Time Limit: 72 Hours
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Kambalda West Rest Area
An absolute gem right in the town of Kambalda with lots of things to see and do around, a Woolworths to restock on groceries, a servo and a friendly ranger that will help with anything you need. You can find a toilet just 5 minutes away as well as a skate park, shopping centre and a free town pool. Potable water is also available; what more can you ask for?
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Yes
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Drinking & Non-drinking Water; Playground; Picnic Tables; TV Reception; Dump Spot; Wildlife
Time Limit: 48 Hours
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Peace Gorge Campground & Picnic Area
This is a beautiful quiet camp outside Meekatharra, suitable for self-contained campers. It’s an excellent location to explore, take scenic walks and photos. It has a remote feeling although it’s minutes from Meekatharra, it’s spacious with lots of flat open spaces. Collect some deadwood along the way to enjoy a cozy night by the fire pit.
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Generators Allowed; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Walking Tracks
Time Limit: None
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Lake Mason Homestead
Get an authentic rustic experience with donkey showers which require you to light a fire to heat the water. The road in is great condition except for the last 3km which are corrugated. The camping area is flat, spacious with old buildings and a homestead you can explore. It’s only 40 minutes away from Sandstone and less to Lake Mason, with lots to see along the road.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets and Showers
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: None
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables
Time Limit: None
Read Next: 11 Pink Lakes In Australia You Didn’t Know Existed
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Malcolm Dam Nature Reserve
This nature reserve provides clean, well-maintained spots to chill out and camp by the dam. When the dam is full, you can enjoy a swim. You can see resident cattle, birds of prey and wallabies strolling around. The town is just a short drive away. You get to enjoy the majestic sunset and sunrise views over the dam.
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 4WD; Off-Road Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Walking & 4WD Tracks; Swimming; Fishing; Wildlife
Time Limit: None
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Niagara Dam
Niagara Dam camp is located in the northern Goldfields and named after the town of Niagara. The dam was built during the gold rush to provide water for the railway from Kalgoorlie to Menzies. Today the dam’s water level is pretty low, and the shire of Menzie offers it as a free camping area. It’s well-maintained with charming walks around and loads of open space.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: None
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; BBQs; Open Fire Pits; Walking Tracks; Picnic Tables; Swimming; Dump Spot
Time Limit: None
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Seaweeds Camp
Seaweeds is a beachfront campground down a very corrugated road and dunes, suitable only for a 4WD and not advisable after rain. It’s a secluded, quiet spot. The beach is perfect for long scenic walks, and you can reach the Eucla pier on foot. Beware of march flies!
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 4WD; Off-Road Caravans
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-drinking Water; Swimming; Fishing
Time Limit: None
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Norseman RV Rest Area
The Shire of Dundas offers free camping for self-contained campers just a short walk to the centre of Norseman. It’s a large grassy flat area with over 30 campsites and very quiet. You can find toilets, showers, potable water and a dump spot within a short drive.
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Yes
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; TV Reception
Time Limit: 72 Hours
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Old Telegraph Station Camp
This camp is located on the south of Eucla near the ruins of the Old Telegraph Station. It’s a bush camp with no amenities, just 15km from the highway. You can reach the beach within a 15-minute walk and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. If you’re lucky, you might spot some emus!
Showers/Toilets: None
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs
Phone Service: Telstra
Booking Required: No
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Walking Tracks; Swimming; Fishing; Wildlife
Time Limit: None
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