Free camping in Tasmania
Where you can legally park up for the night, how long you can stay, and 10 free and low-cost places near Hobart and along the classic routes.
- Places listed
- 10
- Free
- 5
- Checked
- 25 October 2026, against official sources
The sign wins. Councils change rules often. If a site is signed "No camping", don't camp there, whatever this page or an app says.
Where you can sleep in a campervan in Tasmania
National park pass
A valid parks pass is required for entry to all of Tasmania's national parks: $49.15 per vehicle (up to 8 people) for a 24-hour pass, or $98.35 per vehicle for a Holiday Pass (up to 2 months).
Source: Parks Tasmania: Park passes and entry feesNational park camping fees and booking
Parks Tasmania campground fees change on 3 November 2026 to a flat price per site (for example .00 per site per night for up to 6 people at Mount William). A booking system is coming in late 2026; until then most sites are first come, first served.
Source: Parks Tasmania: Mount William campingCouncil self-contained rest areas
Northern Midlands Council offers free 48-hour overnight stops for self-contained vehicles only (shower, washing, toilet, cooking and sleeping all inside the vehicle) and you must get a free permit online or by phone first. No liquid may be discharged on the ground. The council states a fine of $205 per unit under the Litter Act 2007.
Source: Northern Midlands Council: Self Contained Vehicle Overnight Rest AreasCouncil freedom camping fees
Central Coast Council's three freedom-camping sites (Forth, Midway Beach - Sulphur Creek, Gunns Plains) charge $15/night, 3 nights maximum, self-contained vehicles only, no tents and no fires. Permits come from a QR code at the site or the visitor centres.
Source: Central Coast Council: Freedom CampingFires
Freycinet National Park is a fuel-stove-only area year-round, Mount Field's campground is fuel-stove-only, and Cockle Creek is fuel-stove-only. Seasonal campfire bans in several coastal reserves apply from 26 October 2026.
Source: Parks Tasmania: Friendly Beaches camping10 free and low-cost places in Tasmania
Each one is confirmed on an official page, linked on its card. Prices and limits are as published on 25 October 2026; check the link before you go.
Near Hobart
- 1
Hobart Showground Motorhome Park
Glenorchy, about 8 km north of Hobart CBD
Caravan park- Price
- fee: see source (booking site; $4.95 booking fee per online booking)
- Max stay
- 10 days
- Facilities
- shower, toilet, laundry, blackwater dump point; powered and unpowered sites
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Book online or phone 03 6272 6812
The only Hobart-area option we could confirm officially. No tents, and the page does not list nightly rates, so check before you arrive. We found no free council camp close to Hobart.
Official info: Hobart Showground: Motorhome Park ↗ - 2
Mount Field Campground
Mount Field National Park, just over an hour from Hobart
National park- Price
- $24 per night (unpowered, max 6 people) / $35 powered, from 3 Nov 2026
- Max stay
- 14 days
- Facilities
- hot showers (token), toilets, washing machines, cooking shelter, free electric barbecues
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Not needed (first come, first served; booking system due late 2026)
Fuel-stove-only, arrive by mid-morning (check-out is 10am). Park pass also required.
Official info: Parks Tasmania: Mount Field camping ↗ - 3
Fortescue Bay (Mill Creek campground)
Tasman National Park, about 90 min from Hobart
National park- Price
- $24.00 per site per night (max 6 people), from 3 Nov 2026
- Max stay
- 28 days
- Facilities
- toilets, hot showers, drinking water (tank water must be boiled or sterilised), barbecues
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Required Oct-Apr (bookings open 180 days ahead); first come, first served May-Sep
Mill Creek has the larger sites for campervans; the last 12 km is unsealed. Bookings are paused for stays from 3 Nov 2026 per the page.
Official info: Parks Tasmania: Fortescue Bay camping ↗ - 4
Cockle Creek (Boltons Green)
Southwest National Park, south of Hobart via the Huon Valley
Free- Price
- Free
- Facilities
- pit toilets, water tank (rainwater, boil before drinking), public phone
- Access
- 2WD gravel
- Booking
- Not needed (first come, first served)
About 10 tent and caravan sites. The last section is unsealed but the page says it suits standard vehicles and campervans with careful driving. Fuel stove only.
Official info: Parks Tasmania: Cockle Creek camping ↗ - 5
Mayfield Bay
Between Swansea and Triabunna on the east coast
Free- Price
- Free (stay by donation)
- Max stay
- 28 days
- Facilities
- toilets, picnic areas, beach; no running water, no power
- Booking
- Not needed (first come, first served)
Easy beachside camping on the east-coast leg. Road surface is not stated on the page, so check signage on arrival.
Official info: Parks Tasmania: Mayfield Bay camping ↗ - 6
Friendly Beaches Campground (Isaacs Point)
Freycinet National Park, about 19 km before Coles Bay
Free- Price
- Free (no camping charge)
- Max stay
- 14 nights
- Facilities
- pit toilets; no fresh water
- Booking
- Not needed (first come, first served)
Reached by about 9 km of gravel road; suitability for 2WD is not stated. Fuel stove only year-round. Park pass applies for national park entry.
Official info: Parks Tasmania: Friendly Beaches camping ↗ - 7
Bay of Fires camping (Swimcart Beach, Cosy Corner, Jeanneret and others)
Binalong Bay, near St Helens
Free- Price
- Free
- Max stay
- 4 weeks
- Facilities
- hybrid and pit toilets at most sites; Swimcart Beach and Cosy Corner have the widest facilities; no toilets at Taylors Beach
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Not needed
Southern campgrounds are reached by sealed road ending at The Gardens. Dogs are not allowed at Jeanneret Beach.
Official info: Parks Tasmania: Bay of Fires camping ↗
On the road: Tasmania loop
- 8
Narawntapu National Park (Springlawn)
About 30 min east of Devonport
National park- Price
- $18.00 per site per night unpowered / $35.00 powered (max 6 people), from 3 Sep 2026
- Facilities
- hybrid chemical/septic toilets, picnic tables; Springlawn has hot showers and a blackwater dump point
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Not needed (booking system due late 2026)
Springlawn is the powered, caravan-suitable campground. No generators or dogs in the park.
Official info: Parks Tasmania: Narawntapu camping ↗ - 9
Cressy Recreation Ground (self-contained rest area)
Cressy, Northern Midlands, between Launceston and Hobart on the Midlands route
Free Self-contained vans only- Price
- Free (permit required)
- Max stay
- 48 hours
- Facilities
- signposted area; dump point
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Free permit online 24/7 or call (03) 6397 7303
Self-contained vehicles only. Non-self-contained hire vans should use a caravan park instead. Campbell Town and Bishopsbourne have similar council sites.
Official info: Northern Midlands Council: Self Contained Vehicle Overnight Rest Areas ↗ - 10
Forth Recreation Ground (council freedom camp)
Forth, near Devonport and Ulverstone, north-west coast
Low cost Self-contained vans only- Price
- $15/night
- Max stay
- 3 nights
- Facilities
- toilets, picnic tables, playground
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- First in, best dressed; permit via QR code at site or visitor centre
Self-contained only, no tents or fires. Free dump points at Victoria Street (Ulverstone) and Stubbs Point (Penguin).
Official info: Central Coast Council: Freedom Camping ↗
Tips for camping in Tasmania
- Book Fortescue Bay in advance from October to April; the page says bookings open 180 days ahead for stays that season. Source: Parks Tasmania: Fortescue Bay camping
- Parks Tasmania has no state-wide booking system yet ('coming in late 2026'), so popular sites like Mount Field fill; Parks Tasmania advises arriving by mid-morning. Source: Parks Tasmania: Mount Field camping
- Check fire rules: seasonal campfire bans in several east-coast reserves run from 26 October 2026, and Freycinet is fuel-stove-only year-round. Source: Parks Tasmania: Humbug Point camping
- If your hire van is not self-contained, skip the council freedom camps (Northern Midlands and Central Coast require self-contained vehicles) and use national park campgrounds or a caravan park. Source: Central Coast Council: Freedom Camping
- Bring your own drinking water and rubbish bags; Mount William has no drinking water or rubbish collection and Mayfield Bay has no running water. Source: Parks Tasmania: Mount William camping
More on apps, powered sites and keeping your fridge running: free camping vs powered sites.
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