Camping Tasmania

03/11/2024

We're receiving lots of e-mails from interstate visitors attempting to book campsites over the Christmas / New Year period only to find no availability at caravan parks or not being able to book campgrounds in advance. For example, it's being reported that Freycinet, Cradle Mountain, Bruny Island and Port Arthur don't have any availability for the busiest times. If you are planning to camp around Tasmania during December / January, please be aware it is an extremely busy time and the most popular free campgrounds will be jammed packed. If you can, book a caravan park NOW or consider delaying your travel to a less busy period. Please ready the following BLOG post for more information -

Rough guide camping Tasmania Christmas New Year Holiday period, book campgrounds Tasmania Xmas Bay of Fires, Freycinet, Fortescue

23/06/2024

Every year, a camping ballot operates for allocation of campsites at Freycinet National Park for camping over the period 18 December to 10 February the following year. Please note that this is the only way to secure campsites at Freycinet over the busy Christmas / New Year period. Every year, countless interstate and locals turn up expecting to camp, only to learn there is no camping available during these dates at these sites. If you are planning to camp at Freycinet, you MUST enter the ballot. More details, and how to enter the ballot are located at the following URL: https://www.freecampingtasmania.com/freycinet-national-park-camping-ballot/

28/03/2024

The weather is looking great, so no doubt lots of people heading away camping these Easter holidays. We are already hearing that popular campgrounds at Coles Bay, Bay of Fires, Chain of Lagoon and the Tasman Peninsula and West Coast sites are already very full and popular caravan parks (including Cradle Mountain) already fully booked. So, plan your travels and have a backup plan as you are likely to find very busy campgrounds if you are planning to travel tomorrow or Saturday. Please stay safe on the roads, and be respectful to fellow campers camping

21/02/2024

Today, 21 Feb 2024, is a day of high fire danger statewide. In Southern Tasmania, temperatures are expected to reach 36c+ with northerly winds of 20 to 30 km/h increasing to 35 to 50 km/h in the middle of the day then turning west to northwesterly 20 to 25 km/h in the evening. Please be vigilant if you are away camping and be on the lookout for smoke.

19/02/2024

Fishing is a very popular pastime in Tasmania, and fortunately you have an almost endless list of options to go fresh or saltwater fishing when camping in Tasmania. Click on the link to read a blog post on our 5 favourite campgrounds with great access to fishing in Tasmania ranging from spectacular east and west coast locations, to the amazing central highlands of Tassie. Please note, certain restrictions may apply in terms of license and seasonal restrictions. Do you have a favourite camping destination where you like to go purely for the fishing? Please let us know in the comments.

15/02/2024

Once again we have a bushire warning, this time near Tomahawk and the Waterhouse Conservation Area in North East Tasmania. Campers in the area were safely evacuated early this morning, however if you are planning on visiting this area to camp in the next few days, including this weekend, please reconsider your plans and keep a close eye on the Tas Fire website.

11/02/2024

There is an urgent warning for a bushfire in the Gordon area, so anyone camping at Gordon Foreshore should prepare to leave, and anyone planning to head to this area should make alternative plans - https://alert.tas.gov.au/?view=map&id=2ccf9fd1-4f32-4f4d-bcb2-32f51887e816

04/02/2024

This week we feature a great little campground on the North West Coast of Tasmania at Riana, some 20 minute south west of Penguin known as Pioneer Park. Cost is $26 per night for 2 persons in a powered site (limited number), or $18 in an unpowered site. Bookings are not possible, all camping is on a first come, first serve basis. The maximum stay is 4-weeks, and you must vacate for at least 1-week before returning. Pets on leads are welcome. A caretaker visits every evening to collect fees. There is a camp kitchen, toilets, showers and a playground. Cradle Mountain can be reached in around 90-minutes. Click below for full details including a short video of the campground.

28/01/2024

The Arve River campground is a small, but attractive campsite south of Hobart and close to the Tahune Airwalk, and Hartz Mountains National Park where bushwalking is a popular activity. There are no charges, and a National Parks Pass is not required - dogs are OK, but they must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. Bookings are not possible - all sites are unpowered. There are toilets at this location. This campground is app. 15 kilometres west of Geeveston. This campground is best suited to small vehicles and tent camping, there is room for app. 4 small campers plus a few tents only. Click on the link below for full details.

24/01/2024

If you are heading away camping for the upcoming Long Weekend and don't have a reservation at a campground or caravan park, be aware we are hearing reports of popular campgrounds already being full or near full. In particular the East Coast, as usual, is extremely popular - especially as it is the last chance to camp before school holiday finish and given there are very large numbers of interstate visitors camping around Tasmania. Take care on the road, and please be respectful to fellow campers

21/01/2024

Fortescue Bay is one of Tasmania's most popular, and best campgrounds. Bookings are required from 1 October to 30 April due to its popularity - don't just turn up, you will be disappointed. There is a Ranger onsite, and all camping is allocated across the 2 camping areas Banksia and Mill Creek. Details on how to book are in the included link. A valid National Parks Pass is required to camp at Fortescue, camping fees are from $13 per night for 2 people. Dogs and off-road motorcycles are NOT permitted. Fortescue Bay Campground is the end point for The amazing Three Capes Walk, and is therefore always busy. It is disabled friendly, and has great facilities. It is suitable for all forms of camping, but please note the road into Fortescue is gravel and narrow in parts so take extra care if travelling with a caravan or in a motorhome. At this location you can swim, fish, go diving or snorkeling, kayak and bushwalk.

17/01/2024

A reminder to be vigilant when camping across the state, thieves have been active in parts of the state 😡

15/01/2024

Hamilton is a small historic town located some 75km North West from Hobart on the Lyell Hwy that connects Hobart to the West Coast of Tasmania. There is an excellent, reasonable sized campground in Hamilton that is popular with visitors when exploring the central highlands and west coast of Tassie. It is suitable for all forms of camping, with all camping on a first come, first serve basis. You can stay for up to 7-nights at a cost of $10 per night at this campground, and that has a children's playground, showers, toilet and laundry. Pets on leads and kept under control at all times are welcome. If you are lucky, you may spot a platypus at dawn or dusk in the nearby Clyde River. Full details in the following link:

07/01/2024

This week we feature the great little campground, Northeast Park Scottsdale, in North East Tasmania, and app, 60kms from Launceston. We love this park because it caters for all forms of camping from caravans through to a single swag - all sites are unpowered. The facilities are excellent, and you can stay for 14-days at no cost (strictly enforced). Donations are accepted, and we encourage you to make a donation that goes directly to the upkeep of the park and to keep this excellent facility open. There is a small charge for use of the showers and barbecues. Generators are not permitted; pets are OK but must be kept on a lead at all times. Solid fuel fires are permitted – but strictly in off-the-ground fire pots/stoves only (subject to local fire restrictions). This campground isn't very large, so it is common to find this park full - especially at this time of year, over Easter and on school holidays and long weekends. Bookings are not possible - we suggest you call the number in the attached link (business hours Mon-Fri) to check how busy the park in advance of travel. This campground is close to a range of excellent facilities in Scottsdale - we highly recommend a stay at the Northeast Park Scottsdale. https://www.freecampingtasmania.com/listing/northeast-park-scottsdale/

29/12/2023

A timely reminder for anyone camping at Macquarie Heads and driving on Ocean Beach - do the right thing, it's not that hard

Police and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service conducted a high visibility operation at Macquarie Heads today, targeting marine, traffic and environmental offences - and particularly the use of off road vehicles, quad bikes and trail bikes.

While we were glad to see most people were doing the right thing, several offences were detected:

8 x unregistered vehicles
5 x unlicenced riders (including a 13-year-old)
1 x speeding and seat belt offences
4 x marine offences

Police again remind campers using the Macquarie Heads camping area that the roads, tracks and beach are all subject to traffic laws that require vehicles to be registered, and drivers and riders need to be licenced and under the legal alcohol limit.

Police will continued to maintain an increased presence in the area through the holiday period.

24/12/2023

As tomorrow is Christmas Day, we are a day early with our featured campground this week. It's the excellent Waratah Campground in the North West of Tasmania. This reasonably large, well-grassed and very attractive campground is located app. 65 kilometres from Cradle Mountain (45-minute drive) and offers low-cost camping suitable for all types of camping with powered and 10 unpowered sites available. One of the great things we like about this campground, is that you are almost (we said almost) guaranteed to see a Platypus at dawn or dusk in the adjacent Waratah Lake. You can also fish for trout in the lake, play golf at a nearby 9-hole course, visit the local waterfalls, or simply explore the history of Waratah by wandering through the town. Bookings are not possible at this time, and given this is a popular campground, always call ahead on the number in the attached link. Costs range from $12 - $35 per night. There is also a toilet plus shower and laundry facilities at an additional charge (coin operated). Dogs on leads at all times and under control are allowed, but immediately near or in the lake. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/waratah-camping/

23/12/2023

While most people are getting ready for Christmas Day, many are also thinking of heading off camping to the coast on Boxing Day, or during the time between Christmas and New Year's Day, for a spot of camping. Be aware, the vast majority of campgrounds and caravan parks around the state are already very full and will stay this way well into the New Year. Where possible, call ahead to check availability to save yourself a long drive and disappointment when you arrive to find nothing available, or ask a question in this group. And if you can, wait until mid-January when campgrounds start to free up a little before getting away for a few days in the tent. There are record numbers of backpackers and interstate visitors, towing caravans or in campervans and motorhomes, in our state looking for places to stay. And if you are heading away, please be patient and courteous on the roads to ensure you and all other road users arrive safely at their destination. https://www.campingtasmania.com

18/12/2023

This week we feature the very good, and very popular family campground at Myrtle Park, near Launceston in Northern Tasmania. Myrtle Park camp ground is located in a large open grassed and wooded area on the set alongside the St Patricks River some 35kms from Launceston. It offers unpowered sites and good amenities, and is suitable for all forms of camping including tents, large caravans, campervans and motorhomes. Multiple facilities are located onsite including barbecues, playgrounds and tennis courts, as well as maintained amenities such as the showers, toilets and a laundry. Dogs are permitted but must be on a lead at all times, however there are a number of environmentally sensitive areas where dogs are not allowed. These areas are marked with 'dogs not allowed' signs. The park opens from app. the 1st September each year through to the end of May the following year. PLEASE NOTE: Advance bookings are essential - please don't just turn up, especially at peak times. There are 30 sites available to be booked each night, with a limit of 10 people per site. Amazingly, they have the odd night or two available in the next few weeks, with better availability in the 2nd week of January onwards. BOOK using the LINK at this address: https://www.freecampingtasmania.com/listing/camping-myrtle-park/

17/12/2023

Just back from a few days on Bruny. Can confirm The Neck campground is already chock full of campers, and the Adventure Bay Caravan Park is fully booked for powered and non-powered sites this coming week for Christmas/New Years period. We were also advised that South Bruny is also already full. That leaves few camping options for Bruny, so delay travel if you can or make sure you have a fallback plan. https://www.freecampingtasmania.com/listing/the-neck-bruny-island/

11/12/2023

We are still receiving lots of inquiry from interstate and overseas visitors to Tasmania arriving in the next week or so and being unable to secure suitable camping and related accommodation at popular Tasmanian locations. Destinations include major locations on the East Coast, the West Coast, Bruny Island, Fortescue Bay, Port Arthur, the Southwest and the far north west. In particular, people ask how to book Bay of Fires and where they can camp at Freycinet / Coles Bay. You can't book at Bay of Fires, and the majority of camping at Freycinet already allocated through the ballot process that operates. We remind everyone that from now until early February, major campgrounds will be full to overflowing - please do your research in advance and don't arrive at a campground only to find them full and with no close alternative options. Where possible, book a commercial caravan park in advance or consider private camping using the HIPCAMP platform. https://www.freecampingtasmania.com/rough-guide-to-christmas-camping-tasmania

11/12/2023

This week we feature a small, but attractive and flexible campground some 65km south of Hobart in the small coastal town of Gordon. The Gordon Foreshore campground offers good options for all forms of camping at low cost. Generators are not permitted - the cost is $5 per person per night for a maximum stay of 4-nights. Bookings are not possible, all camping is on a first come, first serve basis. This campground is good for younger children, and for people and families new to camping given it is flat and has good facilities including a playground. There are also options to go saltwater fishing noting the campground is along the shoreline. Pets are welcome if kept on a lead, other than where signs identify no pets are allowed. As we always say with all popular Tasmanian campgrounds, this campsite will be packed over the Christmas / New Year period so avoid these times. https://www.campingtasmania.com/directory/gordon-foreshore-campground/

04/12/2023

This week we feature a guide to camping and trout fishing in Tasmania. Freshwater fishing is very popular with Tasmanians, with people coming from all over the world to fish for elusive brown and rainbow trout. Fortunately there are also mostly basic, but great camping options when trout fishing across Tassie - read the guide at the following link:

Tasmania is renowned the world over for its’ incredible range of freshwater fishing options, ranging from narrow babbling brooks through to the massive structures that are the Great Lake and Arthurs Lake. Fishermen travel from all over Tasmania, Australia and the world to pit their skills against ...

27/11/2023

This week we feature Lagoons Beach Campground, Chain Of Lagoons, and one of Tasmania's most popular campsites. It is located some 20 minutes from Bicheno and is close to St Mary's and St Helens. It offers bush camping at no cost, and with basic facilities only (long drop toilet). Bookings are not possible, Campers enjoy a range of water activities including beach fishing. Dogs are OK, but must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. It is suitable for all forms of camping from caravans to tents. And as we always say, try to avoid over Christmas, the New Year, the Australia Day long weekend and Easter as it fills to overflowing very quickly in mid-December. And with Friendly Beaches Campground closed until app. March 2024, and no camping availability at all at Freycinet over the Xmas / New Year period, it is likely there will be even more demand this year. https://www.freecampingtasmania.com/.../camping-chain-of.../

19/11/2023

This week we feature the great campground at Mt Field National Park in Southern Tasmania. Mt Field is a haven for bushwalkers and photographers and features an excellent visitor centre and cafe. The campground is set in the forest beside the Tyenna River. There are 14 powered sites as well as a range of unpowered sites with facilities including barbecues and showers. Spaces are suitable for campervans and caravans as well as tents; bookings are not possible and all camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. As it is a National Park, you must have a valid Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Pass and camping fees also apply. Two people in an unpowered site is $16 per night, $20 for a powered site. Dogs are not permitted. ​Mount Field National Park is just over an hour’s drive from Hobart via New Norfolk and Westerway. Fish for a brown trout, spot a platypus or so one on the many beautiful short walks. As we always say, this is yet another very popular campground during the Summer holiday season, so ring ahead to check availability if planning to camp. https://www.campingtasmania.com.au/listing/mt-field-camping/

19/11/2023

We've been contacted by a lot of interstate visitors wanting to visit Coles Bay / Freycinet National Park over the Xmas holiday period who have found quickly there are simply no camping options available. This is due to a combination of factors including the annual camping ballot that operates for Freycinet, Friendly Beaches Campground being closed until 2024 and other options being fully booked due to high demand that happens each year. If you have anything other than a day trip planned for Freycinet from mid-December to late January, please reconsider your travel plans.

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