When it comes to camping and adventure, Tasmania has many stones left unturned. Because of the literal disconnect between ‘Tassie’ (as the locals call it) and the rest of Australia, camping in Tasmania is not the most common Australian pastime. If you’re among the many experiencing this disconnect from our frequently forgotten state, you should rectify that. Tasmania is one of Australia’s most untapped camping resources.
What is it that sets Tasmanian campsites apart from other Australian locations? It’s the picturesque views; it’s the wildlife; it’s the surrounding flora and fauna. However, camping in Tasmania is not for the faint of heart. Much of its natural environment is as rough as it is beautiful. You’ll need to come preloaded with food, water, camping equipment, and any other essentials. It would be a shame to miss a moment of stunning countryside over some missed necessities.
If you’ve decided to give camping in Tasmania a go, we strongly recommend Cub Campers’ most well-known and iconic camper trailer: the Brumby, ideal for serious off-roading. This trailer has a hard exterior built for tough Australian outback conditions. If this baby can brave Uluru, she’ll be right for camping in Tasmania.
Without further ado, here are five of the best camping sites in Tasmania for you to check out.
1. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Among one of the most sought-after tourist spots statewide, Cradle Mountain ranks as the sixth-highest mountain in Tasmania. It is a wondrous, glacial sight to behold and boy, does it make each of its 1,545 metres count. Cradle Mountain overlooks the pretty, glittery Lake St Clair. Together, they fuse to create (albeit predictably) Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Cradle Mountain is a landmark significant not only to the National Park but also to Tasmania as a whole.
A scenic lake view at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park.
As if the awe-inspiring scenery weren’t enough of a pull, Cradle Mountain hosts a plethora of walking tracks. Set up camp and you’ll have options ranging from a light stroll to the 65-kilometre Overland Track. A six-day journey into Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, this trek is Australia’s premier alpine walk. Although the hike is mentally and physically demanding, it has earnt glowing epithets such as ‘unforgettable’ and ‘life-changing’. It’s no wonder, then, that the Overland Track attracts walkers on a global scale. If you love hiking, put this location on your bucket list pronto. (Please note you will need to book in advance. Booking does incur a fee.)
This iconic landmark attracts high volumes of visitors year-round, so be quick to book your spot at the Discovery Park Campgrounds. The campsite has your amenities covered, including showers, toilets, a communal camp kitchen (including indoor barbecues), and plentiful seating. It even features a communal firepit! This is perfect for wintertime visits.
2. Bay of Fires
Are there any beach babes in the house? If so, you’ve got to check out the Bay of Fires coastline, which stretches a whopping 50 kilometres from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point. This beautiful location is globally renowned for its pristine blue waters, far-reaching white coastline, and granite boulders warmed with orange lichen. It truly is a spectacle to behold. Enjoy endless beach walks, take in some birdwatching, or fish for your favourite grub. If you’re here for more aquatic-based activities, then there are also ample opportunities for boating, surfing, and swimming.
The Bay of Fires boasts picturesque, pristine waters that are artworks unto themselves.
If you don’t want to miss even an inch of this 50-kilometre sand-stretched paradise, we recommend starting at the tippity-top: Binalong Bay. You should have no trouble finding available campgrounds at the Bay of Fires Conservation Area. Our top recommendation? The Cosy Corner campgrounds. Divided into Northern and Southern variants, these campgrounds back onto Cosy Corner Beach. The largest campsites in the area, their wide, grassy spaces are well protected by vegetation and are also free to use (excluding some park fees). Please note that pit toilets are their only available facilities, so be prepared for some quality time with nature. Bring your own camping gear, drinking water, and anything else you think you’ll need to get by.* (*Bathers are implied here, of course!)
3. Cockle Creek (Southwest National Park)
Cockle Creek lines the edges of Southwest National Park and forms part of Recherche Bay. It sits on the edge of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is the southernmost driveable point in Australia. What sits towards the bottom of the country, you ask? Serene, sandy beaches against a backdrop of snowy-peaked mountainous ranges. It’s the ideal setting for adventure!
The serene, idyllic Cockle Creek against its breathtaking mountainous backdrop.
And what an adventure awaits you on the 85-kilometre South Coast Track. This hike—lasting six to eight days—is a week-long, warts-and-all examination of nature. It has everything from desolate beaches and jagged headlands to rugged mountainsides and high-reaching rainforests. Conditions are subject to Mother Nature herself. Be prepared for strong winds and rain—and for a lack of huts and other such manmade shelters. Attempt this trek only if you feel prepared and capable. Compared to the Overland Track, this track is said to be a walk in the park. Seasoned hikers will relish the rawness of Mother Nature up close, as well as the exhilaration experienced upon completing this adventure.
For a comparatively diluted walk, try the five-hour trek to South Cape Bay. Aside from the food and water you’ll definitely be packing, the majestic Great Southern Ocean views should sustain you through this trip. If you’re hungry for stunning beach views, Cockle Creek is dotted with campsites that won’t cost a dime. Many have pit toilets and fireplaces but ensure to bring your own water and firewood.
4.Mount William National Park
Located on Tasmania’s North East Coast, Mount William National Park has unique Tasmanian wildlife, enticing walks, and sand-stretched shorelines against turquoise-blue seas. Enjoy fishing, swimming, or long walks along the beach in this remote location ideal for private getaways.
If you need to hit the Refresh button on life, set up camp at Mount William National Park—stat. We recommend one of the beachside campsites in Stumpys Bay. For what they lack in power and plumbing, they make up for with shade-bearing tree canopies and wildlife-watching opportunities. Bring your own firewood and drinking water. You cannot book these campsites, but park fees will apply. Pit toilets are also available.
5. Honeymoon Bay, Freycinet National Park
Arguably saving the best for last, the iconic Freycinet National Park hosts a coastal series of campsites. Just imagine awakening each morning to views of waterside dunes and granite peaks in pink. At the Honeymoon Bay campground, you can do just that—as well as hike, bike ride, swim, or canoe, which are among the most popular activities at this campsite. Overlooking Honeymoon Bay itself, this base is your ideal vantage point. And if you wish to undertake a ‘bay crawl’, this is also your ideal starting point.
Start at Honeymoon Bay and work your way through Sleepy Bay and Wineglass Bay—the latter of which boasts notably scenic views. Walk the one-hour hike to Wineglass Bay’s lookout point and enjoy these panoramic sights all the more! To extend your hour-long hike to a half-day trek, go beyond the lookout and follow the Wineglass Bay shoreline, tracing its perfect curve with each step. Eventually, you will be rewarded with picturesque views of Great Oyster Bay, as well as the far-reaching coastline that encircles Swansea Village.
Observe: Wineglass Bay and its perfect curve. It’s like walking along a smiley coastline!
The Honeymoon Bay campsite provides amenities such as toilets, showers (albeit cold ones), picnic tables, and barbecues. Book early, and please note that peak times necessitate you to enter a ballot system.
Camping in Tasmania is hardly a walk in the park, but it’s a treat for every adventurous spirit. It’s a chance to get up close and personal with Mother Nature in her most raw, rugged, and unaltered form. Sometimes this means forgoing plumbing or electricity, but what better way to take in the panoramic scenes, the stunning sandy coastline, the frollicking wildlife, and Tasmania’s natural heritage? We hope we have whet your appetite for these Tasmanian campsites and have inspired you to explore further—possibly in Cub’s most suitable trailer of all, the Brumby? Come and see why Australia’s frequently forgotten state simply cannot be overlooked.
