One of the best things about living in Perth is how close we are to swimming spots, both inland and along the coast, where you can pitch your tent right by the water. Below are 8 of our favourite swimming spots with campgrounds within a couple of hours of Perth.
Wungong Dam - Armadale
Distance from Perth CBD: 46 km
Duration: 43min drive
GPS: -32.198626 / 116.060917
Wungong Dam is ideal for a picnic lunch. Swimming in the dam is illegal but there’s a little recreation lake at the bottom of the dam for a swim and further downstream of the dam wall. Model boat enthusiasts also frequent, and if you get there before summer truly sets in there are wildflowers abound. Check ahead in bushfire season though!
Serpentine Falls - Dwellingup
Distance from Perth CBD: 55 km
Duration: 1hr drive
GPS: -32.367705 / 116.011005
Serpentine Falls boasts many walking trails to hit before cooling off in the water. Make sure you get there early to beat the crowds. Gates open at 8.30am with an $11 park fee. The Serpentine Falls area often fills to capacity and is then closed to new visitors - plan to arrive before 10am.
Lane Poole Reserve - Dwellingup
Distance from Perth CBD: 117 km
Duration: 1 hr 25 min drive
GPS: -32.771348 / 116.085422
Make sure you get there early to beat the crowds. Gates open at 8.30am with an $11 park fee. It boasts many walking trails to hit before cooling off in the water.
Lake Leschenaultia - Chidlow
Distance from Perth CBD: 49 km
Duration: 55 min drive
GPS: -31.852414 / 116.251700
The calm expansive Lake Leschenaultia has a white sandy beach with a floating pontoon. It is located in the Shire of Mundaring and surrounded by native bushland with plenty of shade from tall trees. It’s a great spot to enjoy a paddle. You can hire canoes, explore the 3km walking trail or fire up a BBQ. Reflections Café is on the water edge.
Lake Navarino - Waroona
Distance from Perth CBD: 118 km
Duration: 1hr 20min drive
GPS: -32.844330 / 115.981950
Dog friendly
Popular with watersports enthusiasts, camping & bushwalking, it’s surrounded by jarrah forest & Spring wildflower blooms. It includes a cafe, gift shop & a shaded caravan park.
Omeo Wreck - Coogee
Distance from Perth CBD: 28 km
Duration: 28 min drive
GPS: -32.105561 / 115.761738
Dog friendly
A shipwreck, just metres off the beach & a maritime trail with underwater art galleries, selfie portholes and more. The wreck now sits approximately 40m off the coast in water 2-4m deep.
Logue Brook Dam - Harvey
Distance from Perth CBD: 135 km
Duration: 1hr 32min drive
GPS: -32.994096 / 115.975149
Dog friendly
Logue Brook Dam is located a 10min drive from Harvey. It is a designated water-skiing area & a peaceful spot for a day of swimming, paddling, canoeing or fishing. The Bibbulmun Track runs through the surrounding bushland providing some great nature trails.
Honeymoon Pool - Wellington National Park
Distance from Perth CBD: 193 km
Duration: 2hr drive
GPS: -33.380358 / 115.939189
Honeymoon Pool is located in Wellington National Park on the banks of the tranquil Collie River, a popular spot for swimming, paddling & camping. There is a decked area down to the water & plenty of shade from the overhanging Peppermint trees. Camping is available, but organise ahead as there’s only 20 spots available.
