Stirling Ranges Retreat Caravan Park

If you’re dreaming of a proper “mountains and campfires” escape without leaving WA, Stirling Range Retreat is an excellent family base. Around five hours’ drive from Perth, and sitting right alongside Stirling Range National Park, this rustic caravan park-style retreat puts you within easy reach of Bluff Knoll, other mountain peaks, and a maze of bush trails – all while offering plenty of simple fun back at camp for the kids.

The first thing you notice when you arrive is that this is not a manicured holiday resort – and that’s exactly its charm. Sites are tucked among tall eucalypts, with gravel roads and natural bush underfoot. You’ll find a mix of accommodation to suit most budgets and styles, from traditional caravan and camping sites (powered and unpowered) through to onsite vans, park cabins, rammed-earth cabins, motel-style rooms and two-bedroom chalets. If you’re travelling as a group, the relaxed layout makes it easy to pick neighbouring spots and create your own little camp “village”. There are only a limited number of powered sites with water, so it’s worth requesting these specifically when you book.

Facilities are geared towards families who like things simple but comfortable. The large communal camp kitchen is the social hub, especially in the evenings, with plenty of tables and chairs as well as a fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle and running water – everything you need to pull together easy family meals. Barbecues are dotted around the park, and there’s also a guest laundry and function room on site.

Amenities blocks are basic but well maintained, with hot, powerful showers that are very welcome after a long day of walking or climbing.

For kids, Stirling Range Retreat feels like a giant nature Playground. There’s a dedicated nature play area with a big wooden fortress-style play structure, slide and swings, plus lots of logs to balance on and scramble over. Children also love riding their bikes around the internal roads; scooters are less suitable due to the gravel and natural surfaces.

The whole park is surrounded by bush, so just wandering on the short trails inside the grounds can turn into an adventure – spotting birds, looking for lizards and insects, or finding the perfect climbing tree. Longer walking paths lead out into the surrounding area if you want to stretch little legs further without hopping in the car.

A real bonus here is the pair of fully fenced swimming pools, which are a lovely surprise given the remote, bush setting. They’re seasonal and unheated, so they can be a bit fresh outside of summer, but in warmer weather they’re a fantastic way for the kids to cool off and burn more energy after a hike. With the mountains as a backdrop, a family swim here feels pretty special.

Evenings at Stirling Range Retreat are made for campfires and stargazing. Open fires are permitted at certain times of year when there are no fire bans in place, and the park provides a communal campfire area that’s lit in season. Sitting around the fire as the sun drops behind the ranges is a highlight – roasting marshmallows from the little shop down the road, swapping stories about the day’s climbs and pointing out constellations in the incredibly dark night sky. It’s the kind of experience that kids remember for a long time.

Of course, the real drawcard here is the location. Stirling Range Retreat lies right on Chester Pass Road, on the edge of the national park, so most of the major walk trailheads are within about a 20‑minute drive. Keen families can tackle Bluff Knoll, one of WA’s most iconic climbs, as well as other peaks and gentler trails. Even if you’re not up for a big summit, there are shorter walks and lookouts that still deliver those dramatic views over rolling hills and jagged ridgelines. In spring, the whole region comes alive with wildflowers and orchids, making it a favourite spot for nature lovers and photographers.

The retreat also offers a range of nature-based experiences. There are self‑guided walks and scenic drives, including the “Mountains of Mystery” drive that showcases the best viewpoints and lookouts in the range. In wildflower season, visiting families who enjoy birdwatching might like to join one of the Birdlife Australia volunteer‑led bird tours, which run at dawn and dusk during spring. These gentle walks are a lovely way to introduce kids to the birdlife of the area and to learn a bit more about the local environment from passionate guides.

Because you’re a little way from major towns, it’s sensible to arrive reasonably well stocked with food and camping supplies, especially if you’re travelling with children. Once you’re settled, though, that sense of being away from everything is part of what makes a stay here so relaxing. Days tend to fall into a happy rhythm: a morning hike or drive to a viewpoint, lunch back at camp, afternoon pool time or Playground exploring, then an early dinner and stories around the fire before everyone collapses into bed.

Overall, Stirling Range Retreat is a great option for families who love the outdoors and don’t mind trading resort polish for a more authentic bush experience. With its range of accommodation, kid‑friendly facilities, camp kitchen, pools, and incredible access to the Stirling Range National Park, it works equally well for first‑time campers and regular caravanners. Whether you’re ticking Bluff Knoll off your WA bucket list or simply want a few days of fresh mountain air, this retreat makes an excellent base for a nature‑filled family getaway.