Belvidere Campgrounds is located west of Australind along the Leschenault Peninsula conservation park. The campgrounds is nestled close to the estuary where plenty of bird life can be seen feeding along the banks. The road into the grounds is two-wheel-drive accessible but the corrugation on the gravel road in has been referred to as a bone rattler.
The camp grounds run on a first in first to camp basis. There is 28 unpowered sites to choose from. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and a open fire pit. The grounds also have good tree coverage that provide shade.
Take note that though camp fires are permitted, only do so during the correct seasons. Fires may be lit between 15th of April through to the 30th of November, but restrictions may be put in place at any time.
There are toilets provided. These are bush loos or long drop dunny’s – how ever you like to call them. Though these type of toilets are never the best, they where relatively clean.
There is no running water along the peninsular so you must bring your own.
No pets are allowed as this is part of a national park and rehabilitation efforts are currently in place. Wildlife can be spotted around the grounds. Early morning we spotted a family of kangaroos grazing, while at night we saw many owls watching over head. Take note of signage that warned of mosquitos in the area that possibly carry the Ross River virus. Scary as that sounds, those type of mosquitos could be anywhere you go so don’t let it deter you from enjoying this area.
You can cool off by swimming in the estuary or at the beach. The estuary is to the east and the beach to the west. The campgrounds are a short walk from the estuary but the beach is a fair hike. You can walk to the beach if your up to it but driving is recommended. The drive to the beach is ok for 2WD vehicles but you can also take your 4X4 onto the beach itself. As long as you let the pressure in your tyres down of course.
Fishing seams to be popular in the area. At night people where crabbing in the estuary and by morning they had their rods out trying to catch fish along the beach. Did they catch anything though? I have no idea.
Phone reception is available in the area as Belvidere is only a short drive from the town of Bunbury, but like any area that’s away from the city, Telstra is recommended.
