Hopetoun free campsite will remain open for the rest of 2025 at least.
“There’s a lot of work involved in seeking approvals to relocate it and we expect that to take some time,” Ravensthorpe Shire president Tom Major said.
“Our plan is to give as much notice as possible about when it will be moved from the current location.
“In the meantime we hope RV travellers will continue to visit Hopetoun and stay at the free 48-hr site in the current location while they still can.”
The Weekender spoke to several Hopetoun community members who believed the Shire’s free 24-hour RV rest area at Esplanade East had already closed.
Two Hopetoun residents told us caravans and recreational vehicles had already stopped calling in to use the facility, and local businesses were missing out on their trade.
However on Sunday an overseas visitor posted photos of the campsite on social media.
“Found this little gem in Hopetoun southern WA,” she wrote.
“For those hoping to visit Esperance and the Fitzgerald NP this is a top find — walkway to beach along the Esplanade.
“Short flat walk to town n bakery with IGA shop n pub.
“CHECK IT OUT! Tis free.”
A Shire statement issued after the June 17 council meeting clearly states: “the Hopetoun site remains open”.
“The Shire will now seek appropriate approvals and advice to begin the process of relocating to the new location within or adjacent to the Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park,” it reads.
“Appropriate notice of relocation date will be given once it is finalised.”
The next step
Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park manager Rachel Small said the shire had consulted them about providing an alternative within the existing caravan park.
“Which we are absolutely willing to do but we can’t cater for it at the moment,” she said.
“The Shire and us are looking for a suitable location and that is going to take maybe six to 12 months and then we need to develop it.”
In May, Council voted to seek State Government approval to excise lot 461 from the class A reserve at 45 Canning Boulevard, which it currently manages for the purpose of “recreation” and “parklands” under the control of a Management Order.
This block adjoins the caravan park.
“The Shire supports the land being used for low-cost RV use and that this be managed by the Caravan Park Operator,” Council minutes say.
Ms Small said there was a “process involved”.
“We need to allow the process to unfold before we can start work on it,” she said.
Ms Small said they aimed to develop a “low cost” alternative to the existing free campsite for recreational vehicles with inbuilt toilets.
“It will be around $15,” she said.
“I want to keep it as low as possible — it is just to cover our costs to provide the service.
“It will be for self-contained vans but if it is within the operations of the caravan park it has costs associated like staff and cleaning.”
She said while the low-cost campers would need to provide their own toilet facilities, they would be able to use caravan park facilities such as the new common room and communal fire pits.
Meanwhile, the Shire intends to open three new free Overnight Rest Areas at Fitzgerald, Kundip and Munglinup, bringing the total of official free camp locations offered by the Shire of Ravensthorpe to four.
