Gladstone Bay Campground isn’t the fanciest station stay around, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable.
On the lone, barren stretch between Geraldton and Carnarvon, set 6km off North-West Coastal Highway, you’ll find Gladstone Bay Campground, a gem of a stay set on Yaringa Station in Shark Bay territory.
Getting to Gladstone Bay is a bit of an ordeal – you’ll need to travel down a rough, corrugated road that will put your tyres through the ringer and make your bingo wings jingle – but it’s well worth the scrappy entry.
Once there, you can set up camp anywhere you like; with 3km of uninterrupted Indian Ocean for grabs, chances are you’ll score a sea view even in peak season (hint: the best spots are on the left after turning into the campsite).
We reckon Gladstone Bay Campground is one of the best spots to camp in WA. Sure, there are prettier places with better facilities and far more tranquility, but Gladstone Bay is SO quirky and charmingly rudimentary – from the handwritten note and honour box to leave your cash in, to the ancient wood-fired pizza oven, to the red dirt putt-putt, to the decrepit jetty that you can’t walk on unless you’re planning a salty end – that it’s hard not to cast a vote for it on the honour roll.
By far the best experience at Gladstone Bay Campground is washing off the dirt of the day under the outdoor artesian shower. Made of corrugated tin, ropes and an old can, heated by the Aussie sun and pumping out bore water you dare not swallow, it’s likely to go down as one of the most unforgettable showers of your life.
Gladstone Bay is a fab place for boating and fishing, so bring your tinnie and your rods. The bad news is it’s not the best spot for swimming, but there are loads of boggy mudflats to splash around and endless open space for a kick of the ball or a game of cricket.
Best bit: The sunsets are wild explosions of fuchsia and burnt orange. Among the best we’ve seen in WA. Worth the admission price alone.
Worst bit: The flies can get revolting at Gladstone Bay. Bring a net, bug spray and zen.
Gladstone Bay Campground
Cost: When we visited it was $13 per adult, $5 per child, $10 per pensioner (do check the Gladstone Bay website before heading off for any changes in prices)
Does Gladstone Bay Campground have a toilet? Sure does.
Can I shower at Gladstone Bay Campground? Yes, there’s an artesian shower which is heated by the sun – for the hottest water, use after 1pm!
Can I get to Gladstone Bay Campground in a 2WD? You can. The road in is gravel and heavily corrugated in parts though, so go slow. Read our Drive Safe on Regional Roads post for top tips on driving in these conditions.
Where is Gladstone Bay Campground located? 149km south of Carnarvon and 341km north of Geraldton, off North-West Coastal Highway. Find it
Where can I book Gladstone Bay Campground? You can’t book Gladstone Bay, so make sure you have some cash on arrival.
*We pay where we stay and only recommend the special places. Deep Dive WA is put together with love and lived experience, to help you explore the beautiful state of WA and the world outside of it. If you found this article useful, consider buying us a coffee to help us survive!
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