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Free and budget campsites: Tasmania
Words Julija Zivanovic Pics Supplied
Welcome to the final part of our free and budget camping spots series by state — this time we’re covering our beautiful island state, Tasmania. Keep reading to discover some fantastic locations that won’t break the bank!
Tasmania is home to the impressive Mount Wellington at 1271 metres above sea level (Credit: Getty Images)
If you missed the first (Queensland), second (Northern Territory), third (Western Australia), fourth (South Australia), fifth (Victoria) and sixth (New South Wales) parts of this series, just hit the corresponding links to catch up. Otherwise, welcome to the seventh and final part where we’ll cover the best free and budget campsites of our country’s island state, Tasmania. If you’re after incredible natural scenery, bucket-list activities and a chance to glimpse the famous Tasmanian devil, then look no further than Tassie for your next camping road trip.
Tasmania’s regions
Tasmania — known for its incredible wildlife, super-clean air, stunning natural beauty in the form of beautiful beaches, impressive peaks and unbelievably green forest, and is our southernmost and only island state — is made up of five regions.
As can be seen on the map above, these are known as the North West, Launceston, Tamar & The North, East Coast, Wilderness West and Hobart and The South. We’ll cover all these as we delve into some of Tassie’s best budget-friendly and free campgrounds.
Camping grounds
*FREEBIE* Cockle Creek Campground, Hobart and The South
We love kicking these off with a freebie, and where better to enjoy the serenity of Tassie than at the beautiful Pearl Rock area where this campground is located. Just two hours by car southwest of Hobart, this free campsite is nestled on the peaceful Cockle Creek, at Recherche Bay Nature Recreation area. Activities in the area include swimming, snorkelling, fishing, bushwalking and awesome four-wheel driving.
The campground itself is suitable for caravans, camper vans, camper trailers and tent camping. Being free, there is little in the way of amenities apart from pit toilets, therefore campers must be fully self-sufficient including drinking water. Make sure you get in early as there are no bookings taken at this campground and sites (10 in total) are allocated on a first come, first served basis. All conventional vehicles can access this camp.
Please be advised that a Parks Pass must be obtained from the Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service for entry to Tassie’s national parks. You can follow this link to get yours.
Contact: 03 6121 7026
*FREEBIE* Jeanneret Beach Camping Area, East Coast
Out the back window at Jeanneret Beach free camp, with Binalong Bay in the background (Credit: Tourism Australia/Daniel Tran)
We love a good freebie, and this campsite located about a 3.5-hour drive northeast from Hobart at the stunning Jeanneret Beach within the famous Bay of Fires Conservation Area is one of our favourites. As can be seen in the picture above, the peaceful coast is a great spot to camp and from which to enjoy nearby nature-based activities. And while this is a fantastic fishing location, the waters can be very rough with strong currents, so take ample care if entering the water for a swim or if rock fishing.
Located in Binalong Bay, the camping area itself is pretty small and shares the surrounds with a day-use area with grassy, private and well-sheltered campsites suitable for tents, small caravans and campervans. Again, being free, there are few facilities apart from toilets, so campers must be self-contained including drinking water. And again, as there is no booking system, make sure you get in early to secure your site. All conventional vehicles can access this camp.
Contact: 03 6376 1744
Peppermint Campground, North West
Located in the Arthur–Pieman Conservation Area, this campground offers serene beachside camping about 5.5 hours by car northwest of Hobart. There are countless leisure activities to enjoy in the area, including swimming, sailboarding, surfing, canoeing, fishing, bushwalking and much more. Plus, there is awesome native wildlife here in the way of Tasmanian devils, wallabies, wombats and sea eagles, to name a few.
At $15 per site per night (six people maximum), this is a budget-friendly camping spot that is perfect for tent camping, however, there is limited access for RVs, caravans and campervans. ATVs and motorbikes are forbidden. Amenities aren’t bad with toilets, showers, water (non-drinking), barbecues and a dump spot. There is also a general store across the road.
Bookings are not required but camp fees must be paid to the governing Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service. While all conventional vehicles can access this campground, there are gravel roads and varying conditions in the area, so a 4WD is recommended.
Contact: 03 6457 1225
Caravan parks
Bridport Seaside Caravan Park, Launceston, Tamar & The North
Bridport in Tassie is a popular beachside holiday destination (Credit: Rob Burnett)
If you’re after white sandy beaches, coastal parks and incredible bushland reserves, then look no further than the pretty seaside town of Bridport. Located approximately a three-hour drive north of Hobart, this location almost at the tip of Tassie in the northeast is in a great place for nature-based activities, including but not limited to safe swimming, coastal walks, excellent fishing, a massive golf course, mountain bike trails and even a few great wineries.
The caravan park itself is fairly priced and offers a range of accommodation options including powered and unpowered camping and caravan sites, big rig sites, cabins, two-bedroom units, and more. The park is well facilitated with an undercover barbecue area, kids’ playground, tennis court, hot showers, dump point, washing machines and dryer, a massive camp kitchen and more. Fees apply and all conventional vehicles can access the park.
Contact: bridportcaravanpark.com.au or 03 6356 1227
Scamander Tourist Park, East Coast
The stunning East Coast of Tasmania should be on everyone’s bucket list, and this caravan park about a three-hour scenic drive northeast of Hobart is the perfect place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area. North of here is the famous Bay of Fires and Freycinet National Park (Tassie Parks Pass required), the town of St Helens and a bit south is the town of Bicheno. Activities in the region include walking, surfing and fishing at nearby Scamander Beach, river boating, fishing, water-skiing and swimming, and plenty of great 4WD tracks.
This is a budget-friendly caravan park with accommodation options including powered and unpowered campsites in both beachside and bush settings and deluxe, budget and family cabins. The park’s facilities include a camp kitchen and barbecues, amenities block, laundry facilities, dump station, children’s playground and more. Fees apply and all vehicles can access the park.
Contact: scamandertouristpark.com.au or 03 6372 5121
Zeehan Bush Camp, Wilderness West
This recently renovated and revamped caravan park on the beautiful West Coast of Tasmania offers tranquil camping in a variety of amalgamations. Located about a four-hour drive northwest of Hobart through stunning national parks, this bush camp/caravan park/glamping location is worth visiting at least once in your life. Activities in the surrounding area include Montezuma Falls, Gordon River Cruise, King River Rafting, and plenty of swimming, snorkelling, fishing and other beach-based activities.
The caravan park in a unique bush setting has had a bit of makeover, now predominantly serving as a glamping host, however, there’s also other accommodation in the way of studio and family cabins and two-bedroom tiny houses. The glamping options are romantic tents for two, luxury family glamping tents or family/friends glamping sites (includes two tents). Amenities include free wi-fi, EV charging, camp kitchen, shared bathrooms, barbecues, firepits, board games and more. Fees apply and all vehicles can access the camp.
Contact: zeehanbushcamp.com.au or 03 6471 6633
Bush camps
*FREEBIE* Bronte Lagoon Bush Camping, Hobart and The South
Almost smack bang in the centre of Tassie, this free bush camp in Bronte Park is an easy two-hour drive northwest of Hobart. You’ll get to drive through the guts of the state, where you’ll reach Bronte Lagoon, a great spot from which to enjoy nearby Lake Binney, the lagoon itself and other bush-based activities.
The lakeside camp itself is as basic as they get, with no facilities at all including toilets and water. Campers must bring their own food, drinking water and have plenty of provisions if planning to stay here. The exposed area can also be quite affected by the weather, so ensure you have everything you need to stay sheltered in all conditions. The area is very peaceful, as it can be a challenge to get to, but the serenity it offers once you’re in is worth the challenge. A 4WD vehicle may be required to reach this camp.
Contact: 1300 360 441
*FREEBIE* Policemans Point Camping Area, East Coast
Looking across the Bay of Fires (Credit: Tourism Tasmania and Andrew McIntoch, Ocean Photography)
This one is a bit off the beaten track, but with scenery like this (as seen in the picture above), it’s well worth the journey to almost the northeast tip of Tasmania. It’s also a quieter option compared to the oft-busy Bay of Fires camping areas. Depending on which route you take, this is about a four-hour drive northeast of Hobart and the area offers fabulous fishing, boating, swimming and birdwatching.
The bush camp itself is suitable for tents, campervans, motorhomes, caravans and camper trailers, and being a true bush camp means there is nothing in the way of facilities apart from toilets. Therefore, campers must be fully self-contained. There is also no booking system for this free bush camp.
Regular vehicles can access the campground, although the road can be rough, so you’ll need to take it slowly. We recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle to take full advantage of the area.
Contact: 03 6376 1744
*FREEBIE* Sandy Cape Campground, North West
This is probably as far as possible as you can get from Hobart, being almost a seven-hour drive northwest of the Tassie capital, but once you arrive you will be rewarded with breathtaking views across the Southern Ocean. This is another one in the Arthur–Pieman Conservation Area and is one of several free campsites in the area. This area is teeming with stunning coastal landscapes, spectacular native wildlife and has a rich Aboriginal history. Activities in close proximity include bushwalking, fishing, birdwatching and more.
The bush camp itself is basic with no facilities so all campers must be self-sufficient including drinking water. Tent camping, campervans and camper trailers are welcome here and all vehicles can access the camp.
Camping on the Pieman River (Credit: AdobeStock)
Overnight rest areas
*FREEBIE* Beaconsfield Showground Rest Area, Launceston, Tamar & The North
This free overnight rest area in Beaconsfield, almost in the centre point of the top of Tassie, is about a three-hour drive northwest of Hobart and just an hour from Launceston. It’s a great spot to base yourself to explore the surrounding area, including attractions such as the Tamar River, Launceston a little further south and the quaint seaside town of Devonport which is less than an hour’s drive to the west.
Facilities are limited to toilets and a few bins, so all campers must be in self-contained vehicles. This rest stop only allows campers to stay from 5pm to 9am and as for all rest stops in Australia, tents are prohibited. Please be advised while this is a free rest stop, visitors are encouraged to help keep it clean and tidy as a thank you for using the facilities. All vehicles can access the rest area, and there is plenty of room for big rigs too.
*FREEBIE* Kempton Rest Area, Hobart and The South
This free overnight rest area not too far from Hobart (less than an hour’s drive north) offers a perfect location for travellers to rest their weary bones for the night, or two. As far as free rest stops go, this is one of the better ones, where there is a large, grassy area with barbecues and picnic area for campers to enjoy, plus you can stay for up to 48 hours.
The rest stop is suitable for caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes and camper vans, but again, no tent camping. Further facilities include a kids’ playground, dump point, garbage bins, toilets and drinking water, and you can even shower nearby for a small fee. All conventional vehicles can access the rest stop.
The Pondering Frog RV Stop, East Coast
Just a few minutes south of Bicheno and two hours northeast of Hobart by car, this overnight rest stop on the Tasman Highway is popular not just for campers looking to rest on a budget but also for its café, restaurant and ice creamery!
This RV stop is only suitable for fully self-contained travellers (with toilet, shower and waste storage) in campervans, caravans and motorhomes. It’s also in a prime location for visiting the famous Freycinet National Park and myriad other East Coast attractions.
Facilities include a large, grassed area to enjoy, a kids’ playground, toilets, potable water, rubbish bins, picnic tables and more — and the small fee (of your choice) is paid via a donation box.
Contact: ponderingfrog.com.au or 0412 631 299
Get your copy today!
If you enjoyed learning about Tasmania’s best free and budget camping spots and would like more information on each of the above (and more!) grab a copy of Hema’s Where to Camp Guide Australia available on the Hema Maps website and at leading outdoor retailers.
This guidebook was prepared in collaboration with the CMCA, Australia’s largest RV club. Listings are categorised as camping grounds, caravan parks, bush camps and overnight rest areas so you can easily determine which is right for you and your family.
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