Better camping near Margaret River

• ​Upgraded Conto campground in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park now open
• $1.1 million project funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program under the Parks for People initiative

Better visitor facilities are now available for campers at Conto, one of the State's most popular campgrounds, in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, 20 kilometres south of Margaret River.

The $1.1 million upgrade was opened today by Environment Minister Albert Jacob and Regional Development Minister Terry Redman. The new facilities were delivered by the Department of Parks and Wildlife and funded by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program under the four-year $21.05 million Parks for People initiative.

The upgrade includes 29 new camp sites, each with a fire ring and picnic table, as well as new double-cubicle toilets and barbecue shelters, and new and upgraded roads, signage and paths. The work brings the total number of camp sites to 116.

Mr Jacob said Leeuwin-Naturaliste was the most visited national park in Western Australia because of its accessible location in the South-West, spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities on offer.

"People come to Leeuwin-Naturaliste to swim, snorkel, surf, fish, go caving and bushwalking, take scenic drives and simply connect with nature," he said.

"Now we have made it easier than ever to explore this special part of the State, with improvements to the campground providing more sites and better facilities for holiday-makers."

Conto joins Logue Brook, Gnaala Mia at Dryandra Woodland, Lane Poole Reserve, Coalseam Conservation Park, and Cape Range and D'Entrecasteaux national parks as the latest campground projects to be completed under the Parks for People initiative. This initiative is providing the public with low-cost, high-quality camping and caravanning opportunities in Western Australian national parks and reserves.

Mr Redman said the Royalties for Regions investment into improving facilities in national parks was helping boost visitors to regional WA.

"By making it more accessible and attractive for people to visit national parks and reserves across the State, this program is helping to grow local economies and cement regional WA on the map as a must-do tourism experience," he said.

Fact File
Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park receives more than 3.2 million visits a year
More Parks for People projects under way in 2015-16 include Lucky Bay at Cape Le Grande National Park and Potters Gorge in Wellington National Park
For more information, visit http://parkstay.dpaw.wa.gov.au/