You haven’t truly experienced Tasmania untill you’ve laced up your boots and taken to the wilds of our southernmost state. Read on for Skyscanner Australia‘s guide to camping in Tasmania, featuring classic hikes, family-friendly spots and free campsites to set up as home base.
How to get to the best camping grounds in Tasmania
Tasmania is famous for its natural beauty and gruelling multi-day walks that challenge even the most hardened hikers. Wherever you want to enjoy the best camping Tasmania has to offer, you’ll need to buy an entry permit, a requirement for all state parks.
To take full advantage of the Tassie wilderness, opt for a Holiday Pass. A pass for a single person costs $40 and covers entry to all national parks for two months, as well as free use of the Cradle Mountain shuttle bus. A vehicle pass is also available for $80 and covers up to 8 people. If you just want to visit for the day, passes cost $40 per vehicle (up to 8 passengers) or $20 per person.
1. Tasman National Park
The closest camping grounds to Hobart on our list, the Tasman National Park has vistas that need to be seen to be believed. Located a two-hour drive from Tasmania’s capital, west of Port Arthur, The Tasman National park offers two campsites at Fortescue Bay (bookings needed) with an amenities block and fireplaces provided.
For sweeping seascapes and towering dolerite cliff columns, venture over to Tasman National Park and attempt the Cape Raoul walk, one of the best hikes in Tasmania. The 14km return trek is perfect for a day trip or overnighting. Bushland gives way to rocky platforms with majestic views over the Tasman Peninsula, all the way down to Bruny Island. There aren’t too many steep sections, so pack a picnic lunch and allocate about five hours to complete the track at an easy pace.
2. Mount William National Park
Camping in Tasmania is a joy no matter where you go, and Mount William National Park has some of the most scenic hikes on the island. Once you’ve exhausted the trails and ocean dips, befriending local Forester kangaroos and going fishing are other activities that prove popular. Set up camp at one of four Stumpys Bay campsites where facilities are basic but gas barbecues can be found at certain sites.
Sometimes it can be difficult to summon the motivation to do anything other than stroll along the gorgeous, empty beaches strewn with Tassie’s iconic burnt orange boulders. Fortunately, walks within this national park are very coast-centric. The Cobler Rocks walk is an easy two-hour return journey with uninterrupted ocean views. Ascending Mount William for a bird’s eye view of the Bass Strait islands is another two-hour trek.
3. Douglas-Apsley National Park
Take a break from the camping spots on Tasmania’s (admittedly gorgeous) coastline and head to the rugged Douglas-Apsley National Park. Even inland, you won’t be without water bodies, the park features a number of secluded waterfalls and freshwater pools nestled amid eucalypt forest.
Hike to viewing platforms overlooking spectacular gorges and heathland, or cool off underneath cascading falls. Conveniently enough, the park offers free bush camping so you might as well stay the night! Camp in the sun-dappled shade just a stone’s throw from the Apsley Waterhole and forget all about your worries.
4. Freycinet National Park
There are numerous good camping spots dotting Freycinet National Park, but the park’s popularity means that slots are allocated in the summer season via balloting. To camp free of charge (national park fees still apply), base yourself at Friendly Beaches where basic sites are available.
Camp amongst sand dunes mere metres from the ocean, and explore Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay and Wineglass Bay at your leisure. The three-hour hike up Mount Amos is a must, but it’s no small feat. At one point, the track disappears and you’re scrambling up the steep rock face with only yellow arrows to point the way. But the 360-degree views of the peninsula make it well worth the effort.
The Wineglass Bay panorama is what draws most visitors but they stay for the coastal hikes, pristine enclaves and, of course, the wineries. Best of all, Freycinet is an easy two-hour drive from Launceston, making it great stop for a total Tasmanian road trip.
5. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Home to the two Tassie greats, Cradle Mountain and the challenging Overland Track, this national park is a true bushwalking gem, featuring hikes for all abilities.
It’s also every photographer’s dream with alpine landscapes, pine-framed lakes and Cradle Mountain looming in the distance. The park is only two hours from Launceston, and twice that if driving from Hobart. Numerous campsites are available but all need to be booked in advance.
Day walks
Lake Dove Circuit: An easy two-hour boardwalk stroll that takes you around the water’s edge and underneath the spires of Cradle Mountain. Lake Dove is lovely and tranquil, and the route goes past the highly Instagrammed boatshed. If the weather doesn’t seem too promising, Crater Lake Circuit is a good alternative to the higher altitude tracks, especially in the case of heavy rain.
Cradle Mountain Summit: This walk is strenuous and takes up to eight hours to complete. There are several routes but the main track leaves from Dove Lake, winding past colourful alpine vegetation, Lake Lilla and Marions Lookout with stunning views of the glassy Crater Lake. Enjoy the boardwalk while it lasts, as summiting entails rock climbing and boulder hopping. Needless to say, the view from the top is nothing short of superb.
Multi-day hike
The famed Overland Track is a 65km, six-day mammoth trek through the heart of Tasmania’s alpine wilderness. Breathtaking scenery combined with the physical effort involved has cemented its status as Australia’s premier bushwalk. The track starts in Cradle Valley and snakes through dramatic, glacially carved landscapes, meadows, moorlands and rainforests. Extend the walk with a detour to Mt Ossa, the highest peak in Tasmania. The track concludes at the deepest lake in the country, Lake St Clair.
In peak hiking season (October – May), you’ll need to book your walk, pay a fee and walk from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair. Outside those months though, it’s free and easy. Walk in whatever direction you like, and there’s no need to book or pay!
6. Southwest National Park
Escape civilisation by camping in Tasmania’s largest, wildest and most remote national park. Found at the end of the state’s most southern-reaching road, the 600,000 hectares of untamed country is ideal bushwalking territory—especially for more experienced hikers. There’s a lot of ground to cover here, with stunning coves for ocean lovers, thermal springs, caves, lakes and rolling mountain ranges.
The best news of all, camping is free! Base yourself at Cockle Creek – Boltons Green camping area, where basic sites are available without charge. There are a couple of caravan-friendly sites, but it’s all quite rustic and you’ll need to bring drinking water and a stove. From here, it’s a five hour walk to South Cape Bay where you’ll be greeted with magnificent views of the roiling Great Southern Ocean.
Multi-day hikes
The trek to Lake Oberon via the Western Arthur Range traverses an incredible mix of jagged mountain ranges, midnight blue lakes and ancient forests. Conquering the rugged skyline takes up to six days to complete.
With about 22 major peaks and a continuous stream of steep ascents and descents, it’s definitely one to attempt if you have a bit of bushwalking experience under your belt. Plan to do these treks between November and March when the weather tends to be kinder.
The South Coast Track is a haven for bushwalkers. Following indigenous migration routes some 84 kilometres between Melaleuca and Cockle Creek, it’s as remote as it gets. The hike is notoriously muddy and involves wading through creek and river crossings. You’ll have to fly in via seaplane, trek sans guide and carry all food and gear. Walkers are duly rewarded though as panoramas of the Ironbound Ranges, beachside waterfalls and vast stretches of pure white sand await. You’ll be drinking from crystal clear spring water creeks and traversing the edges of Australia—true wilderness immersion.
Common questions travellers have about camping in Tasmania
Some national parks in Tasmania may charge an additional rate for camping at their facilities, though there are free campsites available in parks like Southwest National Park.
The best weather for camping in Tasmania is from December to February, when skies tend to be sunny. However, this is also when parks like Cradle Mountain are most crowded. To skip the crowds but still enjoy good weather, plan your camping trip in October, November, March, or April.
Read more
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