Fancy a camping experience that’s a little left-field? Try bunkering down in someone’s backyard for a few days. Thanks to places like Hipcamp and Wikicamps, you can experience a sleepover on all kinds of private properties here in Western Australia.
They’re generally safe for single female travellers, easy for weekend getaways, free from louts, cheap as chips, available in peak season AND you get to meet plenty of likeminded randoms who dig paddock dwelling as much as you do. You can thank us later for these five beauties, all tried, tested and given the Deep Dive stamp of approval.
Peaceful Valley Farm, Jelcobine
Jelcobine is an itty-bitty town in the Shire of Brookton (population: 154) with green, green grass for days, undulating slopes, towering boulders to scramble up and a chorus of ever-bleating sheep at your feet. In short – it’s a surprising showstopper, just an hour-and-a-half from Perth.
With skies clear enough to showcase the Milky Way, firepits in every site, dreamy walks, squeaky clean toilets and a volcanically hot shower (oh the joy of hopping into this on a night that plummeted to -2 degrees), Peaceful Valley Farm is the perfect place to sling a hammock for a night or two to refresh and recharge.
Owners Nat and John are salt of the earth legends who pull up in their buggy to check you’re ok for firewood and keep you entertained with their wry quips. Nat may even set up her homemade condiments stand if you’re lucky, featuring mouthwatering chutneys, lemon curds and chilli jams. We highly advise you to bring a few gold coins to secure the goods.
Find it: You can book Peaceful Valley Farm through Hipcamp.
Highly recommend: A hike to Boyagin rock, around 20 minutes away, and a ridiculously tasty feed at Core Cider on the way if you’re coming from Perth.
Dog friendly: A big woofy yes.
Jarvis Estate Winery, Margaret River
Every dreamt of waking up in a vista of Margaret River vines? Of rolling from a cellar door straight to your warm bed, with six bottles of wine under your arm that have no chance of being cellared? Well, dreams are coming true because Matt – owner, winemaker and all-round champ of Jarvis Estate – has opened his picturesque vineyard so campers can crash near his vines (just make sure you bring a toilet).
It’s special enough chowing down on a charcuterie board with rows and rows of plump grapes dangling before you, and having tons of space to relax, read, paint, strum a guitar, draw or write. But this isn’t just a pretty place, cos the wine here is fine (be sure to taste the Chardonnay and Cab Franc).
ADDED BONUS: Jarvis Estate’s resident pooch, AJ, defies all barometers of cuteness. This furry beacon of happiness was straight inside our van for a welcome smooch and inspection, and became an unofficial crew member for the three days we stayed. Don’t miss Jarvis Estate, if only to marvel at AJ’s little paws.
Find it: You can book Jarvis Estate through Hipcamp.
Highly recommend: A hike to beautiful Boranup Forest, around 20 minutes away, a craggy coastline sunset at Surfer’s Point (also 20 minutes away) and a feed/beer at CBCo Brewing, right next door.
Dog friendly: A big woofy yes – but all doggy friends must stay on a lead.
Stargazers, Peerabeelup
On one hand, we want to keep this on the lowdown. One the other, we know it’s the ultimate Deep Dive public service announcement. Located in Peerabeelup, a scrumptious wedge between Pemberton and Nannup, in tall tree land bordering pristine Donnelly River, Stargazers is a thriving avocado farm that is also home to six cottages, three glamping sites and seven rustic ensuite sites.
It’s impossible not fall in love with this place – it’s tucked away in a pure-aired utopian nook filled with lush forest walk trails. The rustic tin ensuite sites are brilliant, with a piping hot rainwater shower offering a peek of stars at night.
Each site also comes with a cute deck and barbecue. The ultimate destination for lovers and families, it’s huge, private and filled with places to saunter, climb, swing and toast marshies.
ADDED BONUS: Oh-so-cheap avocados the size of small footballs are offered for sale when in season – bring a bounty of gold coins.
Find it: You can book Stargazers through their website
Highly recommend: A gorgeous hike at Beedalup Falls, just a 15-minute drive away, is a must, as is lunch or a wine tasting at stunning and ridiculously tasty Ampersand Estate. It’s a mere one-minute drive, so within stumbling distance of Stargazers.
Dog friendly: A big woofy yes.
Lime Paddock, Lake Preston
Located in Lake Preston, around 1.5 hours south of Perth, Lime Paddock is full of mindblowing moments from the second you drive down the long limestone track, passing a yellow aircraft nose-dived in the soil, a for-real airstrip, a purpose-built hobbit house and a lake full of warbling geese.
But peak WTF comes when you climb the creaky steps and board a real 1969 Ansett plane that sits in the main garden amongst the roses and carnations. Preserved beautifully, complete with dusty chairs showing you what once was, you can glide down the aisle like the air hostess you always dreamed you would be, take your seat in the captain’s chair in the cobweb-filled cock pit and live out every pilot fantasy you’ve ever known.
WTFs aside, this working limestone business is a steal – we paid $10 a night for a midweek special, although prices may vary so check on Hipcamp before you book. BYO toilet.
Find it: You can book Lime Paddock, Lake Preston, on Hipcamp.
Highly recommend: Delicious farm to table lunch at Crooked Carrot or a slide down the dunes at Myalup beach on the way.
Dog friendly: Yes, but doggo friends must be kept on a leash at all times.
Rockcliffe Vineyard, Denmark
Waking up to a row of dangling vines is a Provence wet dream, except you’re not in France at all. You’re in Denmark, five hours south of Perth, at the least pretentious winery you could ever stumble upon. And you’re about to walk 20 short metres to the most entertaining cellar door experience of your life, complete with wines that are up there with the best.
Rockcliffe is special because of its owner, Steve. A geologist by trade, he bought it for passion and groans about it eating his money, but pours every inch of his perfectionist soul into creating stupendously impressive wines. He mans the cellar door himself, glugging overly generous (and free) tastings, sharing hilarious stories and opening his piano up to the floor. Between the tunes, the pizzas flying out the kitchen, the tales and the tastings, it can get a little chaotic in the best possible way. We can’t wait to return.
Find it: You can book Rockcliffe on Hipcamp.
Highly recommend: Rockcliffe is on Denmark’s picturesque Scotsdale loop. Be sure to enjoy the stunning scenery before calling in at Greens Pool or Elephant Cove for a dip.
Dog friendly: Sure is.
*We pay where we stay and only recommend the special places. Deep Dive 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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