South West Life

If you like a bit of history to go with your camping, then Belvidere is the place for you.

Belvidere campsite is located on the western side of the Leschenault Inlet, around 15km drive from Australind. It’s nicely tucked away between the inlet and the ocean, and is a great little spot to get away for some camping.

But apart from the relaxing surroundings, there’s a lot of history in Belvidere, and the surrounding landscape is dotted with many remnants of the past, which will keep you interested all day.

I won’t go into all the history here as this is an article about the campsite, not the history, but as a general background the area has been used by many different people over many years including Nyoongars, early settlers, Indian labourers, and alternative lifestylers, with each group leaving signs of their presence in the local area. It was also the place where John Boyle O'Reilly escaped. The area is rich in history, and all around the Belvidere campsite are many plaques and walks that tell the stories of the past and point out the visible remains.

But apart from the rich history, there are also many things to do at Belvidere that make it a great place to relax and have some fun. Some of them include:

Camping – bush camps under the shady peppermint trees. Fees apply, and are collected by the ranger. There are pit toilets, but no running water, so make sure you take your own drinking water

Walking – there are a number of walk trails through the tuart, paperbark, and peppermint trees, each pointing out various historical spots along the way

4WD Beach access – Belvidere and Buffalo beaches are right there, both with 4WD access

Fishing & Boating – with the inlet on one side, and the beach on the other side, you’ve got a range of choices for fishing and boating, kayaking, and more

Cycling – many of the paths in the area are either compacted stone or concreted, making it a great place to cycle and take in the views

Wildlife – there’s plenty of kangaroos, possums, birds, and other wildlife to see

Picnicking – just visiting for the day? There are a number of picnic tables and gas BBQs in the area

Although my camping experience has been mostly in the more “lush” camping areas (Jarrah forrest with streams and rivers), Belvidere has it’s own charm, and is a great place to get away from it all, as well as learn a lot about our fascinating history. But perhaps one of the historical signs in the area sums it up best: Although only minutes from civilisation now, Belvidere can still feel a million miles away.

You can reach Belvidere by heading down Buffalo Road, which comes off the Old Coast Road around 8km north of Australind. 

Belvidere Beach