Honeymoon Pool Camping: Ultimate Guide & Review 2024

Planning a camping trip to Honeymoon Pool in Western Australia? You’ve come to the right place.

Whether you’re wondering about the best camping spots for pitching your tent or the suitability for rooftop tents and campervans, we’ve got you covered.

Drawing from our recent camping adventure, this post provides everything you need to know for a successful stay at Honeymoon Pool. We’ll share our insights on choosing the perfect campsite, practical tips, and the joys of camping by the serene Collie River.

But that’s not all—Honeymoon Pool is surrounded by activities perfect for nature enthusiasts. From hiking the scenic trails to swimming in the refreshing river and exploring nearby attractions, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

Ready to dive into the details and make the most of your Honeymoon Pool camping trip? Let’s get started.

Where is Honeymoon Pool? 

Honeymoon Pool is about half an hour west of Collie and two hours south of Perth, making it ideal for escaping the city’s hustle and bustle.

Honeymoon Pool Map

How to Get to Honeymoon Pool

Access to Honeymoon Pool is straightforward, as a sealed road leads to the campgrounds. Take Wellington Dam Road off the Coalfields Highway and follow River Road until you see the Honeymoon Pool turnoff.

• 📍Perth to Honeymoon Pool: 200 km / 2 hrs +
• 📍Bunbury to Honeymoon Pool: 50 km / 40 mins
• 📍Collie to Honeymoon Pool: 37km / 35 mins

Perth to Honeymoon Pool Campground

The quickest route from Perth is via State Route 2 and National Route 1, typically about a 2-hour drive. Note that traffic can be heavier if you leave Perth after 7:00 am or 4:30 pm.

Alternatively, we enjoy taking the scenic route through the quaint West Australian country towns of Pinjarra, Waroona, and Harvey.

Along this route, we recommend stopping at Byford Four Seasons Bakery just outside Perth. Their meat pies are a must-try, perfect for a genuine Western Australian road trip experience!

Video: Honeymoon Pool Teaser

Do You Have to Book Honeymoon Pool Campsites?

Yes, you must book a Honeymoon Pool campsite before arriving. Bookings are required per person, per night, and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Wellington National Park’s entrance is free, unlike many National Parks in WA.

The campground is very popular, especially during weekends, school holidays, and public holidays. Campsites can be fully booked even during cooler months, so early booking is advised.

You can book online here at Explore Parks WA.

Can You Take a Caravan to Honeymoon Pool?

Honeymoon Pool campsites are unsuitable for caravans and large campers like motorhomes.

The campsites at Honeymoon Pool each have a car parking space, but some are on a slope. The ‘camping area’ with a picnic table and fire pit can’t be driven onto as it is surrounded by wooden bollards.

When booking, the website says it is strictly for tent camping only. This is where we became confused because we have a tent but it happens to be on our roof — our Kings’ rooftop tent.

Several others were camping at the campground with rooftop tents and even small campers, so don’t let this put you off.

However, if you are camping this way, you need to be careful about which campsite you book. Use our campsite descriptions below to determine if the car park space is flat or if you’ll need to use levellers.

Find detailed information below on the best campsites at Honeymoon Pool.

The Best Campsites at Honeymoon Pool

In our opinion, the best campsites are numbers 3 and 4. These are suitable for those with tents, swags, cars with rooftop tents, and small campers.

🔎 Curious about how we set up our vehicle for camping? Check out our Isuzu Dmax Camping Fitout for inspiration.

The size, slope, amount of shade, privacy, and distance from the jetty and toilet block vary considerably between the campsites. Therefore, we’ve briefly described the 20 campsites to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Honeymoon Pool is open to the public, so the jetty area and car park can become busy and noisy, especially during school holidays and weekends. This is particularly true in the warmer months.

Honeymoon Pool Campsite Locations

Campsites 1 & 2

Campsites 1 and 2 have car parking spaces next to each other and are on a slight slope, so these would best suit campers with ground tents or those with levellers.

Campsite 3

Campsite 3 is also a great option because you can park further into the parking space, it’s on flat ground, and nearer to the river.

Campsite 4

Campsite 4 has a flat, two-car parking space near the picnic bench and table. Plenty of space between campsites 3 and 5 makes you feel quite private. It’s also close to a secluded entrance to the river, away from the crowds who gather further downstream at Honeypool’s jetty. 

Campsite 5

Campsite 5 is also best suited for ground tents or swags, as the parking space is enough for one car and is on a slight slope.

Campsite 6

Campsite 6 isn’t too bad. It has a large, flat parking space, but the picnic area is down a level from it.

Campsites 7,8 & 9

Campsites 7, 8, and 9 would also accommodate roof-top tents or small campers as they are on flat ground, but they are much smaller, closer together, and near the public carpark and the jetty.

Campsites 10,11 & 12

Campsites 10,11 and 12 are flat, close to each other and opposite the toilet block.

Campsites 13,14,15 &16

Campsites 13, 14, 15, and 16 are just past the toilet block. They are in a line beside each other, with a tap (non-drinkable water) between sites 14 and 15.

Campsite 17

Flat parking area with small tent space to the rear.

Campsites 18 & 19

Campsite 18 had a really small car park and tiny camping area, while campsite 19 was very similar but with a slightly bigger tent area.

Campsite 20

Campsite 20 had a small parking area on a lower level, a camping area, and a picnic bench. There was also a non-potable water tap here.

Can You Swim at the Honeymoon Pool?

Yes, Honeymoon Pool is excellent for swimming. However, be cautious as there may be logs, rocks, and other natural obstacles; diving is not advised.

Most people swim from the jetty, but if you stay at campsites 3 or 4, an old log juts into the river, making it easy to enter and exit the water directly from the riverbank.

We certainly made the best use of the pool, but swimming isn’t all you can do at Honeymoon Pool.

Water Activities:

• Kayaking: We observed a few couples kayaking up the river—some sections required them to get out and carry their kayaks over the rocks. Others enjoyed floating down to the jetty area on boogie boards and inflatable tubes.

Hiking: Numerous walking trails suit gentle strolls or extended hikes. One popular trail is the Jabitj Walk Trail, about 12km return.

🤭 Looking for fun activities to do at your campsite? Check out some travel games we love—perfect for keeping everyone entertained.

Why is it Called Honeymoon Pool?

An information board near the campground’s jetty reveals an interesting history: WWII soldiers who used the area for army training named it Honeymoon Pool. When they arrived, they found several couples camping there on their honeymoons, inspiring the name.

Honeymoon Pool Accommodation

Only camping is available at Honeymoon Pool; there are no cabins or chalets on-site.

However, several accommodation options exist in nearby towns like Collie, Donnybrook, and Bunbury. Here are a few highly reviewed places:

• Preston Valley Shed Stay | Sleeps 4 | ⭐️ 10/10 ratings | 32 km | Check availability and reviews here
• Hope Springs Farm B&B | indoor pool | ⭐️ 8.8/10 ratings | 22km | Check availability and reviews
• Evedon Lakeside Retreat | lakeside and mountain views | 32 km | Check availability and reviews

Arrival and First Impressions: A Sticky Start

When booking online, you can view a mud map showing the positions of the 20 campsites, but details about the individual sites are lacking.

We chose campsite number 5, which appeared spacious. Unfortunately, we soon discovered that the ‘tent area’ was blocked by bollards, and the car park space was sloped, complicating the setup.

We didn’t have levellers at the time, so disappointment set in. We’d read so much about Honeymoon Pool’s beauty and thought it might be just for those with ground tents.

However, a stroll to the neighbouring site revealed a much larger, flat parking space —perfect!

I contacted WA Parks in Collie to inquire about changing sites. Changes weren’t allowed on the day of arrival, so they suggested booking campsite 4 as well, which would cost an additional $40 without a refund guarantee. The representative advised paying for one person, minimizing our risk to $20.

That’s exactly what we did, and we opted to stay another night, paying for one person. Ultimately, we didn’t lose out financially, and WA Parks received the appropriate $80 total for the two nights.

Fortunately, you’ve found our article, so you shouldn’t encounter the same issues!

Total Immersion

There’s something profoundly rejuvenating about nature, a sentiment echoed by the old adage that it refreshes the mind. Upon settling at our campsite, we immediately felt its calming influence despite the temperature soaring to 40 degrees in the shade.

The real treat of ‘forest bathing’ at Honeymoon Pool is that a cool, refreshing dip is just a few steps away. Given the heat, it wasn’t long before we enjoyed the icy waters, fully immersed in the natural beauty surrounding us.

Wildlife at Honeymoon Pool

During our first swim in Honeymoon Pool, we spotted a pied cormorant drying its wings on a nearby rock—a sight that reminded us of the African Darter from our travels in Namibia.

Fortunately, unlike the freshwater pools in Africa, where dangers like Bilharzia, hippos, and crocodiles lurk, Honeymoon Pool offers a safe swimming experience. However, as noted on the information board, be aware of the potential presence of Tiger Snakes during the warmer months.

Alongside us, three Pacific black ducks made their presence known, likely accustomed to receiving bits of food from campers, though they didn’t receive any from us.

At dawn and dusk, you might spot water rats or some of WA’s nocturnal natives like the chuditch, quenda, and woylies. And keep an eye out for the endangered western ringtail possum or brushtail possum in the trees.

On the road to Honeymoon Pool campground, there was a sign warning you to watch out for quokkas. Yes, they don’t live only on Rottnest Island off Perth; there are a few colonies in the south, though they aren’t as laid-back and chilled as the ones on Rottnest!

📸 For ideas on photography shots, check out our Photography ideas for some great tips and information.

When’s the Best Time to Camp at Honeymoon Pool? 

To avoid the crowds, it’s best to skip camping at Honeymoon Pool during the Summer or Easter school holidays when it can get extremely busy. Day trippers also frequent the pools for free, and the decked area can be crowded with kids enjoying the water.

For a more tranquil experience, consider visiting midweek and during the cooler months.

Summer Months at Honeymoon Pool  

From December to April, the weather can be hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching the low 40s, though they may drop to around 20 degrees in the early hours, leaving the nights surprisingly chilly.

During these warmer months, you’re also more likely to encounter flies, including March Flies (also known as horse flies). These pests are not only persistent but their bites can be quite painful.

We encountered a variety of March Flies, from those with orange heads to ones with almost fluorescent green heads—they might be considered pretty if they weren’t so bothersome!

Winter Months at Honeymoon Pool

From June to September, the winter season brings cooler nights and higher rainfall, making camping wet and chilly. The likelihood of storms also increases throughout WA between May and October, so prepare for potentially stormy weather during these months.

Other Honeymoon Pool Camping Reviews

We loved Honeymoon Pool, but don’t just take our word for it—here’s what other campers have to say!

I’ve compiled and summarised reviews from TripAdvisor and Google Maps to give you a broader view of the camping experience at Honeymoon Pool.

Scenic Beauty

Reviewers consistently praise the tranquil setting surrounded by peppermint trees and vibrant birdlife. Many noted that the natural swimming hole is particularly peaceful on weekdays.

Facilities

The facilities, including picnic tables, flushable toilets, and good water access, were well-received. Reviewers found the campsite ideal for families, offering plenty of activities like swimming, canoeing, and fishing. However, some mentioned that Honeymoon Pool can be crowded and occasionally littered, which could detract from the overall experience.

Visitor Experience

Campers enjoyed a perfect blend of relaxation and activity. Nature enthusiasts appreciated the opportunity to explore local hiking trails and picnic amidst stunning scenery. The information gazebo was frequently mentioned as a great resource for expanding local knowledge.

Planning Tips

Advance booking is highly recommended, as reviewers noted that rangers routinely check number plates. Day visitors are often advised to arrive early to secure a parking spot, especially during peak times like weekends and holidays, as parking can be challenging.

Atmosphere

The overall atmosphere of Honeymoon Pool was described as serene and picturesque, making it an ideal spot for unwinding. However, reviewers also noted that the tranquillity could be diminished during busier periods.

Other Campsites Near Honeymoon Pool

There are two other campsites very close to Honeymoon Pool on the other side of the river:

• Stones Brook Campsites (cost $20 per adult)
• Gelcoat Campground (costs $15 per adult)

These campsites are only about 450 metres from Honeymoon Pool, making them convenient alternatives.

If you are in a larger camper or have a caravan, Potters Gorge campsite on the banks of Wellington Dam is a great option. This site accommodates larger setups and provides beautiful views of the dam.

What to Do Around Honeymoon Pool

If you’ve had your fill of relaxing and swimming at Honeymoon Pool, there are several walking trails nearby, or you can drive to attractions such as Lennards Trail, Wellington Dam, and the quirky and amusing Gnomesville.

Lennards Drive

Lennards Drive is a one-way road running along the Collie River. It features four stunning spots perfect for a swim or enjoying the incredible views: Rapids, Big Rock, Little Rock, and our favourite, Long Pool.

Wellington Dam

Wellington Dam, about a 15-minute drive from Honeymoon Pool, is worth a visit to see the amazing mural painted on the dam wall.

The dam is part of a larger art trail in Collie, so if you enjoy street art, you can follow the route from the dam to Collie Town.

Gnomesville

Gnomesville is one of the most unique attractions in the south of WA. It’s free to explore, and you’ll encounter thousands of gnomes who have made this spot their home.

For a touch of humour and magic, delve into our article on the fun of Gnomesville to discover how you can add a few puns and smiles to your day.

Honeymoon Pool Camping … That’s a Wrap

From the first dip in the refreshing waters to the evenings spent under a canopy of stars, this camping trip recharged our spirits and connected us with nature.

Places like this remind us why we pack up and hit the road—seeking the quiet corners of the world where nature speaks loudly, and we listen.

If our adventures inspire you to explore Honeymoon Pool, why not start planning your own escape into nature?

Cherish these moments and leave only footprints behind.

We recognise and acknowledge Kaniyang and Wiilman people as the traditional custodians of Wellington National Park.

Feeling adventurous? Dive into our other stories and guides for more inspiration and hidden spots across Western Australia, or plan a trip around the best parts of Western Australia’s southern coasts and forests and country towns. Explore our Perth to Esperance circular route.

📍 Pin on Pinterest and Save for Later