Best Eating I’ve Ever Done While Camping: Western Australia’s Southern Forests
What mental image comes to mind when you think of camping? Struggling to feed the long metal stick through the flaps to support your tent? Waking up with a backache after sleeping on uneven ground? Consuming a half-cold bite of food that was heated up over the fire?
Those images certainly conjure some of the camping of my childhood, but I learned over several camping trips with my Perth friends recently that camping Australia-style can actually be quite comfortable with not much additional effort. From easy-to-assemble tents to air mattresses to caravan parks with refreshingly hot showers, it can actually be quite cozy to have a few nights on the road.
Camping can also involve some pretty incredible dining, and I was just wowed at what culinary delights were available as you go south of Perth. My hiking lunches were satisfying sandwiches made from supplies picked up in advance at the supermarket, but my other meals were incredibly wonderful and I still can’t stop raving about how amazing it all was.
Brekky
Brekky, Australian slang for breakfast, can sometimes be the priciest meal of the day. But oh, is it worth it. Aussies know how to make a mean poached egg, and they really unleash their creativity when it comes to Australian breakfast menus. All of the breakfasts I had on this recent camping trip were very different, but equally delicious.
A bakehouse is basically a casual bakery serving coffee, pastries, and savory pies (or savoury, if you’re British/Aussie). I had visited this award-winning bakehouse for pies back when I lived in Perth, but this trip was my first time there for coffee and breakfast. While it’s a bit pricier than other bakehouses in Western Australia, the food and coffee here is far superior. I had an excellent flat white and pecan tart this trip. It may look casual, but the flavors are incredible!
This spot got visited on a whim for a scenic breakfast, after seeing it as one of the attractions close by. I love lavender in baked goods, so when I saw the Giant Lavender Scone on the menu, there was really no decision to be made. It exceeded my expectations, and the bites with the clotted cream and honey were especially good. Great chai tea as well, and lovely outdoor seating.
This was the breakfast destination of choice on the final camping morning for its proximity to the caravan park, so there was no advance research or high expectations. After ‘taking a squiz’ (looking) at the breakfast menu, it became apparent that this was going to be a nicer breakfast than your typical, random spot in Western Australia, with some creative combinations. I slowly savored two poached eggs with herb and spicy toppings, garlic yogurt, and the perfect amount of Turkish bread for dipping.
Nibbles
Let’s be real, I stopped here just to taste wine and truffles (did you know there are truffles in Western Australia?!?). But when another group ordered a truffle tasting plate, I couldn’t resist a snack. What a delicious sampling of bites that provided just the right energy boost for the giant tree climbing and hiking that came afterward. P.S. Their wine is pretty great, too!
Dinner
This was the only eatery in this post that was planned in advance, to join the Saturday night dinner experience at this restaurant in Pemberton, with a tasting menu that changes weekly. Produce is local to the specific region, not just Western Australia. And although the dishes may look simple on the sample menus on their website, the dishes are so well-balanced and expertly executed that each bite makes you pause a bit to savor the flavors. It’s worth a weekend trip to Pemberton just to eat this meal!
What’s the best food you’ve ever enjoyed while camping? How do you decide where to eat when you’re on the road? I’d love to hear your tips!
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