Tasmania’s national parks are world-class. Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, the Tarkine, the Overland Track, and the Southwest Wilderness represent some of the most pristine natural environments left on Earth. Tasmania is a summer destination for Big Lappers (December-March), and demand for park campgrounds during this window is intense. Planning and booking ahead is essential.
Booking System
Bookings are made through the Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania website. Popular campgrounds (Freycinet, Cradle Mountain, Bay of Fires) require advance online booking. Some smaller campgrounds operate on a self-registration (first-come, first-served) basis with honesty box payment.
Fees & Parks Pass
Tasmania requires a National Parks Pass for all park entry. This is separate from camping fees.
Parks Pass options: 24-hour pass ($25/vehicle), 8-week Holiday Pass ($50/vehicle), or Annual Pass ($80/vehicle). For Big Lappers spending more than a week in Tassie (and you should), the Holiday Pass or Annual Pass is the way to go. Passes can be purchased online at passes.parks.tas.gov.au or at park entry points and visitor centres.
Camping fees: Vary by campground. Basic bush camps $0-8/person/night. Standard campgrounds $8-16/person/night. Well-equipped campgrounds with facilities up to $20/person/night. Some remote camps are free with a valid parks pass.
Top Campgrounds For Big Lappers
Freycinet (Coles Bay area): Gateway to Wineglass Bay. Richardson’s Beach campground is walking distance from the Wineglass Bay lookout track. Books out well ahead in summer.
Cradle Mountain: Iconic alpine scenery. Campgrounds near the visitor centre. Cold in winter; best November-March.
Bay of Fires (Swimcart Beach): East coast stunner with orange lichen-covered granite boulders and white sand. Basic facilities but spectacular.
Narawntapu National Park: “The Serengeti of Tasmania” for wildlife. Excellent campground with good facilities. Less crowded than the famous parks.
Mount Field: Close to Hobart, with tall forest walks, Russell Falls, and alpine tarns. Good campground with facilities.
Caravan-Specific Notes
Tasmania’s roads are narrower and more winding than the mainland. Some park access roads are unsuitable for large caravans. Check maximum vehicle lengths and road conditions before heading in. Freycinet and Cradle Mountain have caravan-accessible campgrounds but space is limited. Generators are restricted. Pets are not permitted in national parks.
Tassie roads are significantly more challenging for towing than mainland highways. Narrow, winding roads with limited overtaking opportunities. Drive slowly, use your mirrors, and pull over for faster traffic. Allow extra time for every journey.
- A Parks Pass ($25-80) is required for all park entry; buy before you arrive
- Camping fees $0-20/person/night on top of the pass; book popular parks well ahead for summer
- Freycinet and Cradle Mountain are must-visits but book out quickly December-February
- Roads are narrower than mainland; check caravan suitability before committing to park access roads
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