Tasmania was one of my favorite places that I visited during my Lap of Australia. It really is heaven on earth for people who love being outdoors and hiking! Camping is popular throughout Tassie, and there are some phenomenal free campsites around the state. If you’re traveling Tasmania on a budget, this post is for you – here are all the best free camps in Tasmania!

The Best Free Camps in Tasmania

Swimcart Beach Road Camping Ground

This has to be one of the best free camps in all of Australia. The Bay of Fires is a top destination in Tassie, with several free campgrounds dotted along the white sandy beaches. But one of the best is the one at Swimcart Beach. The campground itself is fairly average, just drop toilets and sheltered sandy sites. But nab a spot on Millionaire’s Row, overlooking the beach, and you’ll feel like the luckiest person in the state. The views are simply phenomenal – plus there’s a beautiful beach for swimming, just steps away! My top tip is to arrive here in the morning, when people are leaving, to try to get one of the good spots.

Brady Lake

The area around the boat ramp at Brady Lake is a designated free camp, with lots of different areas for setups. Get a spot along the lake shore and you’ll never want to leave. It’s peaceful and quiet, with gorgeous views of the lake.

Lake Roseberry Camp

This is really just a glorified car park at a boat ramp. And there’s no toilet, so it’s best to be self-contained (or just go in the woods and leave no trace). But there is one spot that backs onto Lake Roseberry – with the water just steps away from your setup. It’s absolute bliss! The water is great for swimming, with a fantastic view of Mount Murchison (the trailhead is a short 10-minute drive away).

Lake Kara

Another peaceful lakeside free camp, Lake Kara has a number of small areas to set up. There’s also a large, relatively flat gravel area with plenty of space for multiple vehicles. It’s convenient for a lot of places around the northern part of Tasmania. Note that there’s no toilet here, so if you’re not self-contained be sure to come prepared.

Lake Barrington Campsite

This has to be one of my favorite free camps in Tasmania. The campsite itself is an open area, with lots of space for vehicles and tents. There are flush toilets and plenty of bins. Head down to the lake and jump off the dock into the water! It’s the perfect free camp if you want to swim. I also recommend hiking to see Forth Falls, which is only a few minutes down the road.

Liffey School

This is a donation campsite, but in a super convenient location for Devonport, Launceston, and other places in the central area of northern Tasmania. The campground is just a large grassy field behind the old schoolhouse, but there are flush toilets and picnic tables here. It was extremely windy the night I was here, but very quiet.

Honorable Mention: Paid Campsites in Tasmania

While Tasmania does have so many free camps, there are some exceptional paid campsites as well. None of these are expensive sites, but absolutely worth the money!

Freycinet – Richardson’s Beach Campground

I stayed here during my visit to Freycinet at site 45, and it was simply divine. The site was spacious – although it is a tent site, so it was a bit awkward parking my vehicle. The main draw is that these sites are all literally just steps from Richardson’s Beach. Waking up in the morning and walking down to the sandy beach, gazing at the mountain views from the water, was something I’ll never forget. Note that these campsites are booked via a lottery system during the school holidays, however if you contact the visitor center there might be spaces available. I had no problem reserving my campsite this way. There were flush toilets and a cold shower.

Cost: $13 per person, per night

Mill Creek Campground

This campsite is at Fortescue Bay, one place you cannot miss on the Tasman Peninsula. The campsite itself is split between tent sites (Banksia Campground) and vehicle sites (Mill Creek Campground), and fairly average. But the location can’t be beat – Fortescue Bay is just a few steps away, and it’s convenient for hiking the Cape Hauy track. There are hot showers available for $2 for 4 minutes – purchase tokens from the visitor center during its opening hours.

Cost: $13 per person, per night

The Lea Scout Camp

A super-affordable campsite just 10 minutes’ drive outside Hobart? Count me in! The road to get up the hill to the campground is winding and takes time, but it’s all sealed and very safe. The campsite itself has everything you could need: clean bathrooms with flush toilets, hot showers, laundry (BYO clothesline), a small camp kitchen with a fridge, and very friendly (and helpful) campground hosts. The unpowered area is a bit hit or miss with level spaces if you’re sleeping in a vehicle, but I found a great flat spot for my two nights here. This is easily the cheapest campsite around the Hobart area.

Cost: $10 per person, per night

Mount Field Campground

The campsite at Mount Field National Park is one of the best in Tasmania. It’s a fantastic base for exploring this beautiful part of Tassie – be sure to do the Three Falls Circuit hike, and serious hikers can’t miss the epic 16km Tarn Shelf Track. Sites are available on a first come, first served basis – I recommend getting there in the morning. Number 40-47 are probably the best for unpowered sites, as they back onto the riverside. Apparently there is a local platypus with a hide on the other side of the riverbank!

Cost: $16 per person, per night

Honorable Mention: Convenient Free Camps in Tasmania

These free camps might not be extraordinary, but they’re conveniently located for exploring certain spots around Tassie.

Spring Bay Hotel

This hotel in Triabunna operates a donation campground in the field out back. If you’re visiting Maria Island (and you should!), this is a perfect choice for camping. I went to Maria Island for the day, and left my car at the campsite during the day – it was one of the first days in my entire Lap of Australia that I didn’t need to take my curtains down, as I wouldn’t need to drive and move my car! It’s a very convenient spot for an overnight, plus there are toilets across the street at the marina.

Dunalley Golf Club

Another great donation campground is at the Dunalley Golf Club. While the campsite is really just a large car park, it’s a perfect location for exploring the Tasman Peninsula. The toilets at the golf club are open overnight (so no stress if you’re not self-contained), and it’s a short drive from some of the best sights in Tassie.

Longley Hotel

There’s a large gravel area across the street from the Longley Hotel, which is another donation campsite. Some spots back onto the river, which gives it a really peaceful atmosphere. Camping fees are buying something from the pub – I can personally vouch that the cheesy garlic bread here was life-changing. The public toilet is open and available throughout the night.

Arve River Picnic Area

If you’re planning on hiking Hartz Peak during your Tassie trip, this is a very convenient free camp. It is right by the road, so expect some noise – although this dies off once it gets dark. There’s a small creek, flush toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces, and bins. It is a small area, not suitable for big rigs or caravans, and it’s best to get there earlier to be sure of a spot for your vehicle.

Macquarie Heads Pine Forest

There are a few free camps outside of Strahan, on the West Coast of Tasmania. I loved the one at Macquarie Heads Pine Forest – it’s a massive clearing among the pine trees, with loads of space. And while it is an unsealed road to get here, it’s not as difficult to access as the nearby lakeside free camp. There’s no toilet here, so be sure to come prepared if you’re not self-contained.

Vale of Belvoir Campground

This free campground is essentially a large car park. The road in from the highway is rough – 2WDs will really need to take their time to manage the potholes and corrugations. You can park up along the side of the gravel circle, but check the ground beforehand as it can get wet and boggy. There are a few lay-bys just 400 meters from the highway, before the road gets too bad, which are good for an overnight (see above photo). The reason it makes this list? It’s a very short 20-minute drive to Cradle Mountain Visitor Center – a perfect place to base yourself for exploring the stunning national park and even summiting Cradle Mountain itself.

Planning Your Trip to Tasmania

Tasmania is a dream destination! Having your own vehicle is the best way to get around the island – all of the camp spots in this post are accessible by vehicle. Hobart is the largest and most convenient airport for visiting Tassie. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. If you’d rather take a tour of Tasmania, check out tour options below!

Part of why I loved my time in Tasmania so much was because of the availability and accessibility of good free camps. My accommodation costs this month were very low because of this – and the campsites I did pay for were, on the whole, great sites and excellent value! I met some really wonderful people at these free camps, had so many good swims, and overall loved soaking up the beauty of Tasmania. I hope this post helps planning your camping trip around Tassie!

Did you free camp in Tasmania? What spots do you recommend?

You might also like my posts:

The Best Hikes in Tasmania, Australia

49 Spectacular Places You Must Visit in Tasmania

12 Tips for a Road Trip Around Tasmania

A One-Month Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary

Hiking the Tarn Shelf Circuit in Mount Field National Park, Tasmania

Cradle Mountain Summit: What You Need to Know About This Epic Hike in Tasmania

What I Learned About Life Living Out of My Car

15 Incredible and Underrated Hikes on the East Coast of Australia

Australia Budget: Month 11 (February 2024)

All of my Australia posts!

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