Camping, hiking and 4WDriving in Western Australia

Dunphys campground

Dunphys campground is a remote and scenic campground in Megalong Valley in Southern Blue Mountains area in New South Wales.

During our trip to Sydney over Christmas 2024, we took time to explore a little of NSW. Blue Mountains was one of the items on the list and we actually wanted to camp there. So, we chose to stay at Dunphys campground.

Low lying clouds over Megalong Valley with Dunphys campground

Facilities at Dunphys campground

There are 15 campsites scattered around, none are marked. You would need to carry your camping equipment if you want a nice scenic spot, e.g. with a mountain view. Alternatively, if you have a roof top tent or a trailer, you can camp in the open grass area. This area serves like a car park. We placed our tents just outside this marked parking area. This way, we easily accessed our vehicle. It has a kitchen and everything else we needed.

There are picnic tables, BBQ, and a non-flushing toilet. A water tank with non-treated water is available, but it didn’t really have any water at the time we camped.

People having lunch at Dunphys campground

Two tents and a child sitting at the table at Dunphys camgpround

Access to the campground is via a private property, which has a few gates to go through.

Thing to do

There are a few moderate to hard difficulty walking trails of various length around the campground. Katoomba with its attractions, like The Three Sisters and other lookouts is also not far away.

Nature lovers would delight in this place! There are many eastern grey kangaroos that frequent the campground daily. We’ve seen Lace monitor and many birds, including pretty Superb Fairy-wrens.

Eastern grey kangaroos (above) are different to western grey kangaroos that we have in Western Australia. They were quite friendly too :).

Lace monitor (above) or tree goanna is one of Australia’s largest lizards. It grows up to 2 meters in length and is found in eastern parts of Australia.

Superb Fairy-wren female (above left) and Superb Fairy-wren male (above right) restricted to eastern states of Australia.

Location and access

Dunphys campground is in Megalong Valley, in the Southern Blue Mountains area of Blue Mountains National Park in NSW. It is approximately 40 minutes drive from the nearest town Katoomba. There is a mixture of sealed and unsealed roads to get to campground. The last 5km or so of the road leading to Dunphys campground is very winding, steep, with sharp turns.

The towering eucalyptus trees overhang the road, too close for our comfort. We feared not for nothing. On the first night, travelling back to the campground, we actually got stuck on that road. It turned out that a tree fell and blocked the road. Locals told us it happens a lot. So, even though, the road is considered 2WD accessible, we do not recommend towing a caravan there.

The best thing about this campground (apart from awesome scenery) is that there is no entry fee to the national park and there is no camping fees either. Sites require booking though and there is $6 booking fee. Coming from WA where there are not many places that are free, we found camping in NSW so affordable for us!

The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters is an iconic and one of the most popular attractions in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. It is an interesting geological formation, that has been weather carved over millions of years. The three rock pillars over 900 meters high each stand close together, yet away from the main cliff wall. They stand out in their beauty and uniqueness against the distant mountains of the Jamison Valley.

It is interesting to watch the Three Sisters at different times of the day. You can see their changing colours as the sun moves over them in the sky. They look particularly impressive at sunset.

Location of the Three Sisters

You can see The Three Sisters from a few different locations. However, they are best viewed from Echo Point lookout, near Katoomba. Echo Point is only about 5 minutes drive from Katoomba.

Prince Henry Cliff walk

Echo Point with the Three Sisters is along Prince Henry Cliff walk, which is 7km long, one way. The walk is Level 3, which is moderate difficulty. There are many lookouts along the way. We have only covered part of this walk and viewed the best of what it has to offer.

Katoomba Falls

You can see the falls from Katoomba Falls lookout. The Skyway cable car also passes there. Consequently, it makes an interesting object for your photographs.

Katoomba Cascades

Katoomba Cascades are also along the Prince Henry Cliff walk. They are hidden below. You can spend some time there watching the water cascading down the rock and flowing into the stream.

There is a lot more to see in the Blue Mountains. You need a few days to explore this beautiful region.

How to get to the Three Sisters

The Three Sisters is roughly 100km west of Sydney. It can be reached via motorway or public transport. There is no entry fee to the majority of the park. Although some places, like popular Echo Point, requires parking fees.

In conclusion, I would add that the Three Sisters is a must to see attraction. Firstly, it is so unique and iconic. Secondly, it’s immensely beautiful.

Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Lane Cove National Park is located 10km north-west of Sydney in NSW, Australia.

We love visiting national parks wherever we go. During our recent trip to eastern states we were lucky to stay at the caravan park (Lane Cove Discovery Park) which has direct entry into Lane Cove NP. This national park offers an escape from city life without having to travel far. Beautiful Lane Cove River passes through the park before flowing into Sydney Harbour.

Lane Cove River in Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Things to do at Lane Cove National Park

Lane Cove National Park is a great place for a day out with the family. There are easy walks around the park, cycling paths, as well numerous picnic spots with bbq facilities.

Flora and fauna

Both the park and the river are home to a lot of interesting flora and fauna.

Scribbly gum, Eucalyptus haemastoma is a fascinating gum tree. It has distinctive markings on its trunk, as if someone scribbled on them, hence the common name – scribbly gum. Interestingly, the scribbles are caused by the moth as it moves between the old and new bark.

Sydney red gum, Angophora costata, is an another pretty gum tree. It is characterized by convoluted branches. It sheds bark, like many gum trees do, to reveal orange colour smooth trunk.

Sydney Red Gum at Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Eastern water dragon lizard is abundant in the national park, as well as the nearby caravan park.

Eastern Water Dragon Lizard at Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Australian brush turkey. We found quite a number of them while staying at Lane Cove Discovery park in NSW. They were not shy at all and frequently visited us. Love their bright red head and yellow throat wattle (in males). As they do not occur in WA, we found them very fascinating.

Sulphur-crested cockatoo, native to eastern states of Australia is quite a large and rather common bird. They are intelligent, loud, especially when they are in big flocks, noisy, as well as ‘nosy’. We (especially our younger son) enjoyed meeting them at Lane Cove Discovery park. Although, at the end, we had to tell them off when they became too friendly😊.

Noisy miner – a bird from the honeyeater family – is another pretty bird you can see frequently at Lane Cove National Park.

Noisy miner at Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Entry to the park

Entry to the park is $8 per vehicle. Although, if you stay at Lane Cove Discovery Park, you can just walk into the national park for free.

Snottygobble Loop campground

What’s in a name?

So, why such an interesting name and what does it mean – Snottygobble? It is actually a tree, also known as Persoonia longifolia, which grows in abundance at Snottygobble Loop campground.

Camping location and facilities

Snottygobble Loop campground is located at the border of D’Entrecasteaux National Park and Greater Hawke National Park in Australia’s Southwest. It is a secluded little campground near Carey Brook and amidst thick jarrah-marri forest. There are 11 campsites, including 1 group site. The sites are suitable for tents and swags only, as the barrier prevents you from reversing in. Entrance to individual campgrounds is narrow in most cases, so putting an awning might not be possible. We couldn’t open ours but luckily we didn’t need it). Some sites have picnic tables, others have fire rings to be used between April and November. Only two sites have both picnic tables and fire rings (2 and #8). There are drop toilets and a communal shelter, which can be considered as a kitchen. The sheltered place has a table and a water tank with non-portable water.

Things to do

The best thing about the campground is that it is quite secluded, if you want privacy. Although, the forest amplifies all the sounds, so there is very good acoustics there 😊. There are nice walking trails along the Carey Brook. You can walk to the next campground (Grasstree Hollow), which is only 2km away. You can also walk in the opposite direction to Goblin Swamp. Or you can drive a few more km to Donnely river and launch your boat there.

It was a relaxing holiday that we spent at Snottygobble Loop campground. We played games (and we don’t often do that 😊), did some walking, visited ice-creamery and chocolate factories.

We also bought a bag of shelled macadamia nuts from Nannup and kids had a good time cracking them (all of them!)

Pemberton and Warren National Park with all their attractions are also nearby.

Goblin Swamp

Goblin Swamp is 2km away from Snottygobble Loop campground. It is an interesting place, with a mixture of mystery and spookiness in it. It was dry when we visited it in January and the roots of the paperbark trees were exposed. They were also burnt a few years ago. Now, still looking black with a contrasting new bright green growth, the trees look quite eerie. Goblins are said to live there too 😊.

Fees and bookings

Technically, Snottygobble camp is in Hawke National Park, so there is no park entry fee. Camping fees are $15 per person per night and you need to book the sites online via Parkstay WA. We camped at Snottygobble during Australia Day long weekend in 2025. The campground was fully booked, although 1 or 2 campgrounds were empty. Our neighbour had to relocate to Warren NP after 1 night, because his site was booked, but no one arrived that night.

In conclusion

We generally prefer camping by the beach where we can see sunrise and sunset, but with everything being fully booked weeks and months ahead, we were happy staying in the forest for a change :). It is a nice campground, if you don’t mind staying in tents/swags and don’t need lots of space around your vehicle (e.g. for an awning).

Datjoin Rock

Datjoin Rock and Well Reserve, 18km east of Beacon in North East Wheatbelt is a natural attraction, a popular picnic and free camping spot. It is home to some interesting rock formations which are quite picturesque. During the months of spring the reserve is full of beautiful wildflowers. At the time we visited, there were mostly everlastings. Orchids do grow there too, but they finished blooming earlier, and we missed them by a couple of weeks or so (we visited this place end of September). Datjoin Rock is part of Wheatbelt Way self-drive.

Carpets of everlastings (above left), Brunonia australis Native Cornflower (above middle), Waitzia acuminata orange immortelle (above right).

Camping at Datjoin Rock reserve

Camping is allowed at the Datjoin Rock Reserve, near the well. There are no facilities, so you would need to be self-sufficient and take all rubbish with you. As with most Wheatbelt places, cooler months are the best for camping. During the months of April and September you can have camp fire there.

Location

To get to Datjoin Rock reserve, travel from Beacon for 18km eastward on Burakin/Wialki road. There is a narrow track entrance on the left. This track is suitable for for 2WDs but it is too narrow for caravans. There is another entrance to the actual rock 2km further eastwards on Clark Road, on the left, at the top of the rise. This second area is a narrow 4WD track only. We found the main Datjoin Rock and well reserve to be picturesque enough. So, if you get lost looking for the second entrance to the actual rock, you won’t miss much, as the Rock reserve has everything you need, including camping area.

Mollerin Rock

Mollerin Rock is a free camping and picnic area, 50km north of Koorda in North East Wheatbelt. It’s one of the attractions along Wheatbelt Way self-drive.

Mollerin Rock camp

Facilities are basic and include a long drop toilet with a tap for washing hands, 1 gazebo with a picnic table. There is plenty of space to accommodate various types of vehicles and set ups. The place is easily accessible to 2WD. The campground is at the base of Mollerin Rock, which is quite low in height and easy to walk on and around.

The views are wonderful from the top, especially at sunset. The best thing about Mollerin Rock is campfire at night during cooler months (between April and September) and wildflowers, mostly everlastings, during early spring.

We stayed at Mollerin Rock campground at the end of September. The wildflowers were past their prime time and many finished already but we still enjoyed the campfire and starry nights.

Attractions nearby:

Koorda Rose

Koorda is roughly 50km south of Mollerin Rock.

I planned a trip to Koorda to see the unique to the Wheatbelt region Koorda Rose (Darwinia purpurea). It is a very pretty bright red flowering plant, common in Koorda. It is found in abundance in Koorda Native Flora reserve, 15km north-east of town, on the Mulji Road.

Koorda Native Flora reserve also offers a free picnic and camping ground. The area is relatively big and open and suitable for all kinds of set ups and vehicles. There is a picnic table with shade, campfire ring and toilet. While we didn’t stay there, it looked like a nice camping spot for cooler months.

Koorda Motor and Military Museum

Another place we (our sons, in particular) enjoyed visiting was Koorda Motor and Military Museum. Although it is small and is open by appointment, it does have a few interesting things on display and is worth a visit.

Boys at Koorda Motor and Military Museum, 50km south of Mollerin Rock

Redcliffe

We love natural attractions and always visit them whenever we have a chance as we travel. Redcliffe was one such attraction. The uniqueness and attractiveness of this place comes from the contrast between the white salt lakes and the red granite outcrops. Redcliffe is located 5km off Koorda, at the end of Rifle Range road.

Moningarin Tank

Roughly half way between Koorda and Mollerin Rock, Moningarin Tank is a picturesque place to visit. Lots of wildflowers are blooming there during the spring.

Calytrix depressa (above left), Dianella revoluta (above middle), Dodonea inequifolia (above right).

Podolepis canescens (above left), Rhodanthe manglesii (above middle), Schoenia cassiniana (above right).

Carpets of everlastings (above left), Verticordia chrysanthella (above middle), Waitzia acuminata orange immortelle (above right).

Baandee Lake

Baandee Lake is a beautiful salt lake in the Central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is 25km east of Kellerberrin on Ski Lake road. This is a popular place for water skiing when there is enough water in the lake. It is also a pleasant free camping area. There are flushing toilets, cold water shower and non-drinking water for washing hands available. In cooler months you can enjoy camp fires in the fire rings provided. We stayed at Baandee Lake in early November. The weather was favourable – not too hot during the day time yet and cooling at night. There was still water in the lake although not enough for water ski activities. With plenty of space for camping along the shore of the lake to choose from, we found a nice spot with gorgeous view which we enjoyed during our 1 night stay there. We were the only ones, although a few cars visited during the day.

Fantastic views and scenery at Baandee Lake

The best thing for us camping at Baandee Lake were the awesome views of the ever changing sky.

Stormy clouds and rainbow over Baandee Lake

So, we witnessed the intensely strong red sunset.

Many satelites (and maybe a comet?) across the sky full of stars but also some clouds.

Aurora passed by leaving a bit of a colour in the sky too. 🙂

Pretty cool sunrise

Some dramatic clouds in the morning just after the sunrise.

Dramatic looking clouds over Baandee Lake

and beautiful reflections of the clouds in the lake.

Baandee Lake is in South Doodlakine, Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It is about 3 hour drive east from Perth.

Bluff Knoll

Bluff Knoll is the highest peak of the Stirling Ranges, which are in Australia’s South West. The range stretches from east to west for more than 65 kilometres and is characterised by rugged peaks, awesome views and abundant and rare flora. At 1095 meters, Bluff Knoll is not only the highest peak of the Stirling Range. It is the highest peak in the southern half of Western Australia and is the most popular hiking mountain.

Climbing Bluff Knoll

Many years ago, there was no sealed road to the base of the mountain. It is about 6km (from memory) from the main road (Chester Pass Road). The road is steep and not suitable for caravans.

The trail to the summit is very well maintained. It starts as an easy paved trail through eucalypt woodland. It then gets rougher and exposed. The climb is quite steep for most of the time with the steps along the way. Due to this, it is very strenuous and is especially hard on the knees and you need to be reasonably fit. Many people climb Bluff Knoll every day but not everyone makes it to the summit. There are markers along the way, indicating the distance left.

Roughly, 1/3 of the way, there is a nice small waterfall where you can sit on the rocks, recuperating. Roughly half way, you can see some rare flora like the mountain bells, which only grow at higher elevations (We’ve written a whole post on the flowers at Stirling Range NP, including Bluff Knoll). The views also become very picturesque here. The whole trail is 3,1km one way and it takes a couple of hours or so to climb.

Summit

Climbing Bluff Knoll is an experience by itself and very rewarding. But reaching the summit and seeing the views like that is like an icing on the cake (that is, of course, if you love sweets, then the analogy would make sense :)).

The summit offers amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding area.

We spend nearly an hour on top of Bluff Knoll, enjoying the views, as well as having our lunch there. Many people were there too.

Now that the hard bit of climbing up was done, the summit reached and thoroughly enjoyed, (together with the lunch) it was time to go down. Going down was easier and faster but still it was hard work. We were also tired by then and had to stop a few times. But the views of the mountain ranges were gorgeous, and it kept us going.

Where is it?

Bluff Knoll is in Stirling Range NP, roughly 4,5 hours drive south east from Perth. It is easily accessible via sealed roads.

Harrisdale Swamp

Harrisdale Swamp is a Bush Forever nature reserve, south of Perth, within the City of Armadale. The reserve is relatively large and is part of Jandakot Regional Park. It is rich in flora and fauna, which is the main reason for visiting this place. Anyone with a keen interest in wildlife, wildflower photography (more on this below) will find great delight at this reserve.

It has some interesting history, dating back to World War II, when the area was used for growing potatoes to feed soldiers. More on this here. Fortunately, it was declared a reserve in 1991 due to its high conservation values.

There are walking trails within the reserve. Some of them are impassable in winter during heavy rains. There are no facilities within the reserve.

Birdlife is abundant there. When the wildflower season is over, I will be paying more attention to the various birds within the reserve. I already spotted numerous Blue wrens and heard Golden whistlers but I need to go back and hopefully take pictures of them.

Orchids at Harrisdale Swamp (blooming in August)

I was visiting Harrisdale Swamp weekly this year (2024). After sufficient rain I was delighted to discover and photograph 11 types of orchids growing there. There are more types of orchids growing there, but some of them were not flowering, like Red Beaks. Many native wildflowers, other than orchids grow there too.

Pterostylis crispula Slender snail orchid (left above), Pterostylis sanguinea Dark banded greenhood (above middle), Diuris corymbosa Common donkey orchid (above right).

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Leporella fimbriata Hare orchid (above left), Pterostylis recurva Jug orchid (above middle), Cyrtostylis huegelii Midge orchid (above right).

Prasophyllum parvifolium Autumn leek orchid (above left), Pterostylis vittata Banded greenhood orchid (above middle), Pterostylis ectypha Thick sepaled Snail Orchid (above right).

Caladenia flava Cowslip orchid at Harrisdale Swamp

Pheladenia deformis Blue Fairy orchid at Harrisdale Swamp

Caladenia flava Cowslip orchid (above left), Pheladenia deformis Blue Fairy orchid (above middle), Ericksonella saccharata Sugar orchid (above right).

More orchids

In autumn 2025 (May) I was happy to find bunny orchids in Harrisdale Swamp! These are Common Bunny Orchids Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. multiflorus.

Various wildflowers

Philotheca spicata Pepper and Salt at Harrisdale Swamp

Philotheca spicata Pepper and Salt (above left), Bossiaea eriocarpa (above middle), Brachyloma preissii (above right).

Conostylis prolifera (above left), Drosera pallida (above middle), Running Postman Kennedia prostrata (above right).

Adenanthos obovatus Basket flower (above left), Boronia dichotoma (above top right), Calytrix fraseri (above bottom right).

Stylidium brunonianum Pink Fountain Triggerplant (above left), Stylidium utricularioides Pink Fan Triggerplant (above middle), Lobelia tenuior (above right).

Thysanotus multiflorus (above left), Regelia ciliata (above middle), Scholtzia involucrata (above right).

Banksia menziesii Firewood banksia (above)

Fungi

In winter, after a good rain, you can see plenty of fungi in the bush.

Snakes and lizards

Western Crowned snake (above left), Western Limestone Ctenotus (above right).

Birds

Blue wren female (above left), Blue wren male (above right).

Marshall Rock

Marshall Rock in Northeastern Wheatbelt is part of the Wheatbelt Way Drive Trail and a popular leisure spot. It is located 280km from Perth and 7km to the nearest town Bencubbin. The rock itself is quite small and easy to climb. You can also drive up to the top (no caravans). From the top you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the surrounding fields, including nearby Lake McDermott.

Marshall Rock campground

Marshall Rock campground is nestled between Marshall Rock and Gardner Hill. There are all the basic facilities there that a traveller would need, which include waterless toilet, non-drinking water, bins, a couple of picnic tables and fire- pits.

The campground is free and easily accessible, suitable for all types of vehicles and set up. And yes, you can bring your fury friend there too. Our neighbour had 12 of them 😊.

Photography and astrophotography at Marshall Rock

Marshall Rock is an easy and short hike, so it became my daily habit during our 3 day stay there. Every time the same rock and surrounding area looked differently. You can always find a new angle to look at the same thing 😊

Marshall Rock is a great place for astrophotography.

Nearby attractions

Lake McDermott

Lake McDermott is a large salt lake, near Marshall Rock. Like many other salt lakes in that area, it is often dry. When it is full, it promises to be spectacular. During our recent visit there, it turned out to be impossible to come closer to it, to take a picture of the beautiful reflections in the water cast by the surrounding bushland. We ended up with boots full of mud which took a while to clean up. The lake, however, has excellent picnic facilities and walks around, and is a nice place to spend time.

Pergandes Sheep Yards

Another attraction nearby is Pergandes Sheep Yards. This is a short trip back in time, to 1910, when Pergandes family was the first to settle in the Mt Marshall district. Today visitors can see remains of an original homestead and sheep yards constructed entirely from nearby rock. Information boards describe life of early settlers and how they contributed to the development of the area. Well worth a visit.

Information board at Pergandys near Marshal Rock

Waddouring Dam

Also part of the Wheatbelt Way drive trail is Waddouring Dam. Built in 1929 to provide water to the nearby town Bencubbin, it is now used for recreation purposes. Waddouring Dam is a great picnic and camping spot.

There are two camping areas there. The camp closer to the water edge has a waterless toilet, non-drinking water and a picnic table. This camping area is small but there is another larger camping area further away from the dam (closer to the entrance). The camping areas are free to use. They also have fire pits. While the water in the dam seems clear enough, swimming is not recommended but you can safely kayak and paddle. We didn’t stay at Waddouring Dam but enjoyed visiting it and talking to those people who camped there.