Boranup Forest Drive
Boranup Karri Forest Drive is one of Australia’s most striking forest experiences. It is part of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and Margaret River region in the South West of Western Australia. The towering karri trees, with some of them reaching 60 metres, create a serene atmosphere. Following Caves Road and the adjoining Boranup Drive is a sensory delight. Check out this short reel. Boranup Lookout is a great place for a picnic or just a rest stop and is easy to get to.
Boranup Drive itself is unsealed but well maintained and easily manageable in a 2WD.
Beyond it, however, numerous side tracks branch off into the forest, and those are strictly 4WD territory. Some are soft and sandy, others so narrow that pin stripes are unavoidable.
We had our share of adrenaline recently exploring a few of them. Our aim was to get to Boranup Hill Lookout (different from Boranup Lookout) but we had to turn back as it was getting dark and we were still nowhere near the destination. Here is a short reel about the drive.
Boranup Campground
We spent two relaxing nights at Boranup Campground in Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park over the ANZAC Day long weekend. It’s a tiny campground with only seven sites, each spaced far enough apart to feel private. The setting in the karri forest is beautiful, and we loved having our own fire ring and table at the site. We even had a possum visiting us at night, which was fun to watch :).
The only downsides were the uneven ground (a small issue if you’re tenting 😊) and the road nearby. It was quiet at night, but once the light came up, a few cars started passing. We also checked out Jarradene Campground. It’s much larger and has great facilities with sinks, BBQs, shelters and bins. But it’s pricier, and the sites felt more open and close to the driveway. Even with its quirks, Boranup would still be our pick. The campground is managed by DBCA and needs to be booked online.
