17 Best Campsites In Tasmania You Must Visit

Everywhere you look in Tasmania, there is another mind-blowing view of rugged mountains, vibrant coastlines or verdant valleys. It’s a traveller’s paradise, no matter where your interest lies, and the abundance of free or cheap campsites in Tasmania makes it incredibly easy to enjoy prime real estate without worry.

There are many reasons to love Tasmania and many reasons why travellers flock to the small island state time and time again. But the fact that no matter where you go, you know you’ll find yet another breathtaking camping spot to pitch your tent or caravan makes planning your trip to Tasmania a breeze.

We’ve travelled almost every main road on this island in our campervan and uncovered some truly incredible campsites in Tasmania that rival any 5-star resort views. Some you will have undoubtedly heard about (and should not miss), but we can guarantee at least a couple will surprise you.

So whether you’re travelling in a caravan, campervan or with a tent, this is your ultimate guide to the best campsites in Tasmania – curated by self-proclaimed locals after three years of travelling around the beautiful island state.

Read our Tips For Camping In Tasmania next to learn all you need to know for a successful road trip around Tasmania.

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Your Ultimate Guide To 17 Of The Best Camping Spots In Tasmania

1. Ted’s Beach Campsite

Sprawling along the northeastern banks of Lake Pedder, Ted’s Beach is a remote paradise that boasts supreme views across the rugged Southwest National Park. Nothing but mountains surround you, and the alluring lake is perfect for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking or fishing.

If you have a 4WD, you can set up directly on the pebbled shore, and if not, don’t worry; there are plenty of prime locations less than 100 m from the water. This is one of our favourite summer camping spots in Tasmania, as you can spend all day beside the lake, taking a swim to cool off and watching the most magical sunset descend behind Mt Sprent from the shore.

And if relaxing all day drives you crazy, you’ve got plenty of hikes branching from Gordon River Rd to keep you busy. Our favourite is Mt Sprent, located 15 minutes west of Ted’s Beach. But the closest is a quick climb up Jack’s Track just to the east of the campground – this is an epic choice for sunrise or sunset.

2. Friendly Beaches Campground

Location: Friendly Beaches Camping Area
Cost: Tasmania Parks Pass
Toilets: Yes
Bins: No
Power: No
Water: No
Dog Friendly: No
Phone Reception: No
Suitable For: Campervans, camping trailers, caravans and tents
Best For: Surfing, snorkelling, free diving, fishing and hiking in Freycinet National Park

There are countless beautiful campsites on the east coast of Tasmania, but none quite match the magic of Friendly Beaches. Boasting views across the sea to the Freycinet Peninsula and access to multiple rock pools, deep coves and long white-sanded beaches, this camping area is nothing short of bliss.

You’ll find cosy, secluded sites covering the headland, with curious wallabies and shy echidnas being your closest neighbours. This is our favourite place to camp near Freycinet National Park, and we often use it as a base for hiking Mt Amos or simply enjoying the peninsula.

Important note: Kindly refrain from feeding the adorable wallabies you may encounter. While they’re incredibly cute, it is crucial to maintain their natural feeding habits to ensure their overall well-being. Let them enjoy their natural diet and enjoy their quirky character from afar.

3. Trial Harbour Campground

Tucked beside a cute seaside village on Tasmania’s wild west coast, Trial Harbour campground is a surfer’s paradise and a true indication of the blissful remoteness of the west coast. Found at the end of an 18 km dirt road, it’s a small mission to get here from Zeehan, but it’s hands down the best free campsite near Strahan and Zeehan.

The campground at Trial Harbour is tiny, and it’s a tight squeeze to get anything larger than a small camping trailer into the campsite. But for those with a smaller set-up, you’ll love falling asleep to the crashing waves and watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean.

We return to Trial Harbour anytime we venture to the west coast, and every time, we lose our breath as we crest the hill and begin the descent into the laid-back coastal oasis. It’s truly a magical scene where the thick forested mountains meet the untamed ocean.

4. Lake Rosebery Foreshore Campsite

Lake Rosebery Foreshore may just be the most photogenic campsite in Tasmania. While the actual campsite is nothing more than a clearing large enough to squeeze a few campervans in, one site perched on the edge of the lake affords incomparable views across Lake Rosebery to the majestic Mt Murchison.

You’re gifted incredible sunrises and sunsets from this location, and the secluded nature of the prime site allows you to enjoy the peaceful setting without fellow campers right beside you.

The one downside to the Lake Rosebery Foreshore is the lack of toilets. Being located close to the water’s edge and with insufficient forest to properly dig a hole, bush pooping is frowned upon and shouldn’t be done. The closets toilets are located in Tullah, only a short 5-minute drive north of the campsite.

5. Swimcart Beach Campground

Swimcart Beach is perhaps the most famous campground in Tasmania, and there is a solid reason for that. With sensational campsites lining the iconic coastline, you’re a stone’s throw away from the turquoise water and literally inches from the soft white sand.

It goes without saying that the campsites along the water’s edge are constantly full during summer, but plenty of shady spots are tucked into the flanking coastal forest if you miss out.

And if you miss out entirely on a site at Swimcart Beach, you have a choice of 9 other equally magical campgrounds spread along the Bay of Fires coastline in Tasmania’s northeast. Our second favourite option is tied between Cosy Corner North and Jeanerette Beach.

6. Evercreech Forest Reserve Campground

If you’re looking for a secluded nature-filled escape, you must check out Evercreech Forest Reserve. The lush campground is nestled in a grassy clearing beside the tranquil Evercreech Rivulet and bordered by enormous white gums.

This is hands down our favourite forest campsite in Tasmania’s northeast and provides the perfect base to explore the nearby waterfalls and take on some of the best hikes in the northeast region.

You’ll find a communal a-frame shelter and barbeques at the Evercreech Forest Reserve campground, along with several grassy sites to choose from – some of which have their own picnic table and a fire pit with a bbq plate.

7. Edgar Dam Campground

Location: Edgar Dam
Cost: Tasmania Parks Pass
Toilets: Yes
Bins: Yes
Power: No
Water: Untreated
Dog Friendly: No
Phone Reception: No
Suitable For: Campervans, camping trailers, caravans and tents
Best For: Hiking Mt Anne, Mt Eliza, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking

Edgar Dam Campground is our second favourite campsite in Tasmania’s Southwest National Park after Ted’s Beach. But even though it comes in second in our opinion, it does have some additional attributes that might move it to first place for you.

Located at the southeastern edge of Lake Pedder, Edgar Dam is a shady campground fringed by tall eucalypts. You’ll find plenty of grassy sites, most with picnic tables and a fire pit, and two undercover shelters for when that notorious southwest weather turns wild. You’ll even find a stack of firewood ready to use freely!

While it’s not on the water’s edge, it’s only a short 3 – 4 minute walk from the lake that lies on the other side of Scotts Peak Dam Rd. This is the ultimate campsite to base yourself while exploring the many hikes nearby and is often used for hikers gearing up for the Western Arthurs Traverse.

8. Cockle Creek Campground

Located almost at the southernmost tip of Tasmania, Cockle Creek Campground is a favourite among locals and travellers alike. Even though it requires a long drive on a sometimes questionable gravel road, it’s teeming with campers during the summer season.

Cockle Creek is loved so dearly due to its stunning surroundings and the calm bay that’s perfect for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. Another reason it’s so popular is because of the South Cape Bay track that begins beside the campground and leads you to a seaside cliff overlooking the unruly Indian Ocean.

You’ll find three separate camping areas along the bay: Ramsgate Bay, Cockle Creek and Boltons Green. The best is by far Boltons Green Campground, which is located the farthest south over the bridge. If you don’t have a Tasmania parks pass, you can camp at Recherche Bay, located 5 km north.

9. Fortescue Bay Camping Grounds

Tasmania has many jaw-dropping coastlines, but one of our all-time favourites is the Tasman Peninsula. Home to the tallest dolerite sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere, this is an incredible place to explore, and the best spot to stay to enjoy what the peninsula has to offer is at Fortescue Bay.

Fortescue Bay Camping Grounds are split into two sections, Banksia Campground is for caravans and campervans, and the more appealing Mill Creek Campground is for tents only. Both camping areas are situated at the bay’s edge, shaded by towering stringybarks and boasting sensational views across the sea to the colossal dolerite headlands.

This is a fantastic spot to base yourself while completing the various walks and attractions on the eastern side of the Tasman Peninsula. It’s conveniently located right beside the popular Cape Hauy Track, so you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise before your walk and soak in the calm bay afterwards.

An added bonus is the hot showers at Mill Creek Campground. These require a token which can be purchased at the campground site office.

10. Mount Field Campground

Mount Field Campground is closer to a caravan park than a campsite and is the most expensive on this list. However, it deserves a place in the best camping spots in Tasmania thanks to its supreme location and stunning forest surroundings.

Tucked into the foothills of the Mt Field mountain range, the campground sprawls alongside the Tyenna River, where you’ll often spot an elusive platypus floating by. This campsite will feel like luxury with hot showers, laundry facilities and undercover shelters with running water and barbeques. It’s the perfect place to unwind for a couple of days, catch up on washing and enjoy the multitude of walks found in the national park.

Perhaps the best part about the Mt Field Campground is the close proximity to the Russell Falls track (part of the Three Falls Circuit), home to hundreds and thousands of glow worms that can be seen after dark along the easy trail.

11. Green Point Campground – Marrawah

Named one of the best surf breaks in Tasmania, Green Point Beach is a haven for surfers looking for that famous 100 m long wave. But even if you’re not a surfer, this free campsite on Tasmania’s northwest coast will knock your socks off.

Perched on the headland overlooking the long stretch of golden sand bound by rugged orange rocks, Green Point Campground overlooks one of the most alluring coastlines on the northwest coast.

The campground itself is nothing more than a large car park on a grassy hill, but roughly 50 m away is a toilet block with an outdoor shower and an undercover barbeque area.

12. Granville Harbour

Located just north of Trial Harbour, Granville Harbour is another cute seaside village with a free campsite found on the northern outskirts. The sprawling grassy campground is situated right on the shore of Cannonball Bay and overlooks the quaint shack town.

Granville Harbour Campground is a great alternative to Trial Harbour for travellers with big caravans or those simply seeking more space. It’s a popular place for fishing, and if you have a 4WD set-up, you can continue onto Four Mile Beach, where the surf is known to work off the sizeable westerly swell.

Note: This campsite isn’t sheltered from the infamous Roaring 40s (hectic westerly winds). We recommend checking the weather beforehand and finding an alternative if there is a strong westerly wind. The best alternative in high winds is Lake Piemen – however, this is only suitable for self-contained vehicles as there is no toilet.

13. Freycinet National Park Campground

The private campsites lining Richardson’s Beach on the Freycinet Peninsula rival Swimcart Beach and Friendly Beaches for the best east coast campsite. It would probably win in our eyes if not for the fact it’s not free, and in summer, you even have to enter a ballot to score a site – yep, it’s that popular!

That said, if you’re visiting Tasmania’s east coast outside of the summer months, then this breathtaking camping area is well worth the small fee. The Freycinet National Park Campground is split into three sections – Honeymoon Bay, Richardsons Beach and Ranger Creek.

Honeymoon Bay has a collection of sectioned campsites tucked into the coastal forest, flanking the world-famous beach. The long stretch of sand dunes overlooking Richardsons Beach is dotted with individual sites with stellar views of The Hazards. And Ranger Creek provides powered sites for caravans and campervans.

Unfortunately, Honeymoon Bay and Richardsons Beach are listed as tent-only. But if you want to be sneaky and you have a small inconspicuous campervan, just set up your tent and sleep in your van 😉

14. Dora Point Campground

Dora Point campground is nestled between Binalong Bay and St Helens, situated in the picturesque Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area. Surrounded by breathtaking coastal forests and bordered by the tranquil Georges Bay inlet, this campsite offers the perfect escape – and is often much quieter compared to the northern Bay of Fires campsites.

Adventurers, you’ll be stoked by the multitude of walking trails available throughout the reserve, and if you’re keen on sea kayaking, the inlet serves as an excellent starting point. Additionally, the shady campsite provides convenient access to the calm inlet and a stunning beach adorned with vibrant orange lichen boulders.

With its spacious layout, Dora Point campsite can accommodate various camping setups and is equipped with a wheelchair-accessible toilet block, making it suitable for all kinds of travellers. You’ll also have access to cold showers, but unfortunately, these aren’t large enough for wheelchair users.

15. Waterhouse Point Campgrounds

A favourite among locals but barely heard of between travellers, Waterhouse Point Campground is a must-visit if you find yourself near Bridport on Tasmania’s northeast coast. 

What makes Waterhouse Point special, besides the tantalisingly calm beaches and views across the Bass Strait to Flinder Island, is its unique landscape, including relict dune systems formed during the ice age.

But even if geology doesn’t interest you, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with the sprawling campsites covering Waterhouse Point if you’re searching for a peaceful coastal getaway.

Waterhouse Point hosts four separate campsites spread out across the point, named Village Green, Mathers, Waterhouse Point and Casuarina. Waterhouse Point is the largest and most popular of the four, while Village Green protects against an easterly wind.

16. Honeycomb Cave Campground

The award for the most unique campsite in Tasmania goes to Honeycomb Cave. This little grassy campground is sandwiched between farmland and an intricate cave system that’s accessible without a guide.

This hidden gem is hardly talked about – you’ll find barely any information about the caves – and can be found 8 minutes south of Mole Creek in north Tasmania. We stumbled upon this campground by chance after summiting Mt Roland and loved exploring the cave (when the river was low and there was no danger of a flash flood) and watching the sunset over the Central Plateau.

17. Cloudy Corner Campground

One that we have yet to experience but dream of visiting is the Cloudy Corner Campground on Bruny Island. This 4WD-only campground requires a 3 km drive along the beach to access, which just adds to the allure of this secluded beachfront paradise.

Cloudy Corner is a popular campground for surfers who often find a nice wave rolling into the bay. It’s also a favourite among fishermen, and boats can be launched from the beach.

Final Thoughts

This is by no means an exhaustive list of our favourite campsites in Tasmania, but rather a condensed group of the absolute best camping spots we have experienced (or wish to experience). There are plenty more campgrounds in Tasmania that are either free or close to free, and the best place to find them is on the Wikicamps app.

If you’re after more options on campsites within a specific region, we’ve added a list of our additional camping guides below.

• 11 Best Free Campsites on Tasmania’s East Coast
• 5 Best Free Campsites In The Bay of Fires
• The Best Camping At Freycinet National Park

Where was your all-time favourite campsite in Tasmania? We’d love to hear your opinion below, and as always, if you have any questions regarding any of these campsites – or camping in Tasmania in general – please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Happy Adventuring 🙂