If you’re like me and you’ve recently gotten into overnight hiking (thanks Cape to Cape Track), you’re probably discovering just how epic the southwest of WA is for it—especially around Margaret River.
Wooditjup as it’s known to the traditional custodians of this land, the Wadandi people, this region is packed with trails that make for an awesome overnight hike, from coastal cliffs to quiet forest spots where you can fall asleep to the sound of ribbits, crackling fires and brushing tree branches.
In this post, I’m rounding up five of the best overnight hiking trails near Margaret River, including a few cheeky spots that you might not find on every blog. Plus, I’ll run through how I decided what makes a great camping trail—and what you need to pack for a safe, comfortable bushwalk.
What Makes a Great Camping Trail?
I looked for trails that tick a few key boxes:
- You can camp overnight (either at a legit campsite or somewhere peaceful where people technically camp).
- Scenery worth carrying a pack for—coast, forest, rivers, waterfalls, the works.
- Length & challenge: Somewhere between “I didn’t die!” and “Wow, maybe Everest is next.”
- Access to water or facilities (bonus points).
- Respect for Country—we’re lucky to hike here, so keeping the trails clean and respected is crucial.
The best camping trails near Margaret River
1. Cape to Cape Track
This is the king of overnight hikes in Margaret River. The Cape to Cape Track stretches 123km from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin and offers basically endless options for overnight hikes. You don’t have to do the whole thing at once—just pick a section and go!
Some popular overnight stretches:
- Contos to Hamelin Bay: Beach views + great campground.
- Gracetown to Prevelly: Surf coast + whales in the right season.
- Injidup to Moses Rock: Epic cliffs + remote feel.
Download our free Cape to Cape Track map here to help plan your trip.
And if you’re wondering about the best time to hike, check out this detailed post I wrote for the best months and weather tips.
2. Wooditjup National Park (via Chimney Trail + RAC Nature Park Camping)
Just outside of Margs town, Wooditjup National Park has some underrated overnight hiking potential. A nice option is walking the Chimney Trail and linking it up with other forest paths around the park.
You can stay at the RAC Margaret River Nature Park, which has campsites and even glamping if you’re feeling a little fancy after your hike. You’ll be in the heart of Wadandi Boodja Country, surrounded by towering karri trees, birdsong and some of Margs’s best pubs, cafes and restaurants (yep, because it’s in striking distance of Margaret River township).
3. Conto’s to Bob’s Hollow Hike (Camp at Conto Campground)
Also called the Conto Spring Walk, this is one of my favourite quick overnight hikes (that can also take you half the day, if you enjoy it as much as I have). Start at Conto Campground, hike along the dramatic coast to Bob’s Hollow and soak up the wild Indian Ocean views along the way.
Bob’s Hollow is a known rock climbing spot too—as we’ve talked about in this post about WA’s best outdoor crags—so don’t be surprised if you see some chalky hands clinging to the cliffs. Camp back at Conto’s for an easy, beautiful overnight loop.
4. Kevill Road Waterfall
This is a bit of a local’s tip. When the water’s flowing (usually after good winter rains), the Kevill Road Waterfall near Margaret River becomes a lush little wonder. There are no official trails or facilities, but some hikers do camp overnight in the area.
Let’s be clear: camping here might not be strictly allowed, so I’m not telling you to do it—but it is one of those spots where you’ll find the odd tent on occasion.
5. Blackwood River Trail
The Blackwood River is one of WA’s longest rivers (over 300km long) and snakes through some truly peaceful forest in Blackwood River National Park, about an hour from Margaret River.
There are a few campgrounds along the river—Warner Glen, Chapman Pool and Sue’s Bridge—that make it easy to turn your hike into an overnight adventure. If you’ve got a packable or inflatable kayak, you can even mix in some paddling. Just check campfire bans, respect the water and enjoy the solitude.
We’ve mentioned this place before in our post on most secluded camping spots near Perth.
What to Pack for an Overnight Hike?
Here’s my essentials checklist for an overnight hiking trail near Margaret River:
- Tent or bivvy bag (weatherproof!)
- Water + filter or purification tabs
- Food (and a way to cook it)
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Toilet kit (trowel, TP, bags)
- First aid kit (with snake bandage)
- Layers (yes, even in summer)
- Map / GPS
- Charged phone + power bank
Want to Hike Without Carrying All Your Gear?
If the idea of lugging a heavy backpack through the bush doesn’t sound like your kind of holiday, you should definitely check out Cape2Camp.
They’re a local crew who make hiking the Cape to Cape Track super easy by delivering and setting up your camp for you at the end of each day. You hike with just a daypack, and they take care of the tent, gear and even meals if you want. It means you can focus on the hike, without leaving a few of the everyday comforts at home.
Whether you’re new to overnight hiking or just looking for some fresh trail ideas, the Margaret River region (Wooditjup) has some of the best overnight hiking trails in the southwest—not to mention some of the best secret running trails.
Even writing this post has given me the thirst to get back down south, pull on the hiking boots and head along one of these epic tracks. Who knows, maybe there are plenty more out there yet to explore. Know of any? Then hit us up! Until then, happy hiking and camping in the southwest’s best region.
