Free camping in Tasmania is an affordable and exciting way to experience the state’s stunning wilderness. Tasmania offers a range of free campsites, from coastal spots to forest hideaways, that provide a unique way to explore the state’s diverse landscapes.
There are literally hundreds of free campsites to choose from and you may be wondering what the best ones are or how you even determine what the best ones are. To help determine this, we have included things like amenities, things to do around the campsites and the rating of the campsite from both WikiCamps and Google.
This will help give a clearer overall picture as a campsite could have good amenities but perhaps there’s not many things of interest in the surrounding area. Maybe that is okay for some people but I for one, like to get out and about to explore what Tasmania has to offer.
Branxholm Centenary Park
| Ratings | |
| WikiCamps Rating | 4.8/5 (65 Ratings) |
| Google Rating | 4.5/5 (37 Ratings) |
| Features | |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Laundry | Yes (Free) |
| Showers | Yes ($1 for 4 minutes) |
| Drinking Water | Yes |
| Dogs Allowed | Yes |
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Caravan Accessible | Yes |
| Motorhome Accessible | Yes |
| BBQ | Yes |
| Phone Reception | Yes |
| Maximum Stay | 14 Days |
| Other | Bins Fire Pits Playground Fuel Pub |
Branxholm Centenary Park is located around 90km east of Launceston and makes the perfect pitstop for those doing Tasmania’s east coast road trip. It is also one of the very few free campsites in Tasmania that offer a laundry machine, which also happens to be free!
You can expect warm showers and clean facilities at this campground. Don’t arrive too late as it gets very busy due to being one of Tasmania’s best free camping spots.
Must see Around Branxholm
Visit Blue Lake, a man made lake which was once a tin mine but was abandoned after World War 2. Water filled the mine creating the lake we see today. The lake is aqua blue due to its high mineral content which makes it unsafe to swim in but beautiful to look at. It is a 30 minute drive from the campground.
Marrawah Green Point Campground
| Ratings | |
| WikiCamps Rating | 4.3/5 (70 Ratings) |
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 (119 Ratings) |
| Features | |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Laundry | No |
| Showers | Yes |
| Drinking Water | No |
| Dogs Allowed | Yes |
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Caravan Accessible | Yes |
| Motorhome Accessible | Yes |
| BBQ | Yes |
| Phone Reception | Yes |
| Maximum Stay | Not Stated |
| Other | Playground Swimming Fishing Surfing |
This free camp is located in north west Tasmania and is particularly handy for those embarking on the Tarkine road trip. It is another popular campground and it is common to fill up before noon in peak season, so grab your spot early! There are rockpools nearby filled with Starfish and if you do not feel like cooking your own meal, you can dine at the much loved Marrawah Inn.
Must See Around Marrawah
Take a 20 minute drive South to Bluff Hill Point Lighthouse and enjoy the coastal walks. The lighthouse was built in 1982 and replaced the original 1916 West Point Light which is located slightly to the north. Beware of the wild bees in the area.
Frenchs Farm Campground
| Ratings | |
| WikiCamps Rating | 5/5 (4 Ratings) |
| Google Rating | 4.8/5 (12 Ratings) |
| Features | |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Laundry | No |
| Showers | No |
| Drinking Water | Yes |
| Dogs Allowed | No |
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Caravan Accessible | No |
| Motorhome Accessible | No |
| BBQ | No |
| Phone Reception | Yes |
| Maximum Stay | Until National Park Pass Expires |
Frenchs Farm is a little gem located on Maria Island. Maria island is a national park and has no shops or cafes which means you need to be fully self sufficient while staying here. The island can only be accessed by boat or plane. Although this is a free campground, you will need a national park pass to gain access. This is something you are bound to have when travelling Tasmania as the national parks are one of the best things about the state.
To get to Maria Island, you will need to get a ferry from Triabunna to Darlington. The campground is a 3-4 hour walk from Darlington. There is a rain water tank at the campsite but it is recommended to use water purifying tablets or to boil the water before consumption.
The campsite has some old buildings to explore as well as a wisdom of friendly wombats.
Must see around Frenchs Farm
Have a look around the Darlington Probation Station. It was once a penal settlement from 1825-1832. It reopened in 1842 as a probation station but closed again in 1850. There are 14 convict era buildings on the island and are a major attraction along the convict trail, one of Tasmania’s popular road trips.
Edgar Dam Campground
| Ratings | |
| WikiCamps Rating | 4.8/5 (25 Ratings) |
| Google Rating | 4.6/5 (22 Ratings) |
| Features | |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Laundry | No |
| Showers | No |
| Drinking Water | No |
| Dogs Allowed | No |
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Caravan Accessible | Yes |
| Motorhome Accessible | Yes |
| BBQ | No |
| Phone Reception | No |
| Maximum Stay | Not Stated |
| Other | Bins Fire Pits Fishing |
Edgar Dam Campground is a 2.5 hour drive from Hobart and located in Tasmania’s South West National Park. This secluded campground is also rich in wildlife and it is common to see animals such as quolls and Tasmanian Padymelons roaming around. The campground also has fire pits and even free firewood!
There are also drop toilets, shelter with tables inside in case it rains and speaking of rain, rain water to drink but again, you will need to boil the water or use water purifying tablets before consumption. The camp has pretty flat ground and there’s also bins available.
Must See Around Edgar Dam Campground
Check out the 140 metre Gordon Dam. This dam was completed in 1974 and operational by 1978. You can take steps down to the dam and even walk along the dam wall for some spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Cockle Creek Campground
| Ratings | |
| WikiCamps Rating | 4.3/5 (34 Ratings) |
| Google Rating | 4.3/5 (23 Ratings) |
| Features | |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Laundry | No |
| Showers | No |
| Drinking Water | No |
| Dogs Allowed | Yes |
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Caravan Accessible | Yes |
| Motorhome Accessible | Yes |
| BBQ | No |
| Phone Reception | No |
| Maximum Stay | 28 Days |
| Other | Fire Pits Swimming |
Cockle Creek campground is located just before the bridge that takes you into South West National Park and also marks the end of the Southern Trove road trip. Here’s a fun fact, Cockle Creek is the most southernly point in Australia that you can drive to!
You are able to take your dog to this campground as it is just before entering the national park but there are many areas where your dog must be kept on a leash. There are drop toilets, tank water (not treated) and fire pits. the amenities are pretty basic but definitely more than viable. You will need to bring your own fire wood and take all rubbish away with you.
Must See Around Cockle Creek
Walk to the end of the earth at South Cape Bay, Australia’s most southernly point. This grade 3 walking track is a 4 hour return (15.4km return) journey you will never forget. Once you reach the end of the waling track you can have a wonder around on the beach where you will be able to spot Lion Rock. This is also a perfect location for those interested in photography.
Brady’s Lake
| Ratings | |
| WikiCamps Rating | 4.5/5 (33 Ratings) |
| Google Rating | 4.7/5 (9 Ratings) |
| Features | |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Laundry | No |
| Showers | No |
| Drinking Water | No |
| Dogs Allowed | Yes |
| Tents Allowed | Yes |
| Caravan Accessible | Yes |
| Motorhome Accessible | Yes |
| BBQ | No |
| Phone Reception | Patchy |
| Maximum Stay | 14 Days |
| Other | Open Fire Pits Fishing Boat Ramp Swimming Dump Point |
Brady’s Lake campground is in central Tasmania and bang in the middle of Hobart and Launceston, taking approximately 2 hours to get too the campsite from either city. The campsite has drop toilets available but bring your own toilet roll! The phone reception is patchy at best so it is recommended downloading some maps to use offline before heading here. Another thing to bring before you arrive is firewood. As the campground has a high altitude, it can get pretty cold too. There are also grazing wallabies and cows in the area.
Must See Around Brady’s Lake
Visit the geographical centre of Tasmania! Just north of the lake there is a monument which was erected in 1983 by the Institution of Surveyors. Make use of the picnic area and get amazing views of Lake Bronte.
Derwent Bridge Wilderness Hotel Campground
| Ratings | |
| WikiCamps Rating | 4.3/5 (99 Ratings) |
| Google Rating | 4.3/5 (510 Ratings) |
| Features | |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Laundry | No |
| Showers | No |
| Drinking Water | No |
| Dogs Allowed | Yes |
| Tents Allowed | No |
| Caravan Accessible | Yes |
| Motorhome Accessible | Yes |
| BBQ | No |
| Phone Reception | Yes |
| Maximum Stay | Not Stated |
| Other | Pub Dump Point |
This is the only free camp on our list where tents are not allowed. The campground is just the car park of the hotel and self contained vehicles are required if you are to camp here. There is public toilets and a dump point across the road from the car park and as you can tell by the ratings in the table above, the hotel/campground, is rather popular.
Although it is free to stay here, it is best to touch base with the hotel reception before setting up camp. You can enjoy some beer and food at the hotel restaurant which also has a few pool tables and a big fireplace.
Must See Around Derwent Bridge
You absolutely must visit the Wall in the Wilderness. This 100 metre long and 3 metre high wall was created by sculptor Greg Duncan and made from Huon pine. It shows the history of Tasmania’s central highlands. There is an immense level of craftsmanship involved in these sculptures that you will be in awe as well as experiencing the smells of the Huon pine.
The wall is located just 5 minutes from the campground.
