Hi all. I am new to all this. I am a mature age single female & will be travelling to Tassie in October/November with my British made caravan & 2 dogs.... so National Parks are out except for those times I board the dogs for a few days. I will be using a Prado as a tow vehicle. I would like to be able to free camp at times but am wondering if there are places I can do this close to bitumen roads as I don't want to beat the van about too much...it has pretty good clearance but is not " off road". I am not sure at this stage I would be confident enough to camp in an isolated area by myself any way. I think I will head down the east coast first....are there non-commercial camping areas along that coast where I may be able stop? Thanks for any help
dabbler said
12:00 AM May 12, 2021
Download Wikicamps. It's the best $8 you can spend. There are many free, donation and low cost camping options in Tassie that are in small towns and communities all with good access. The only spots we stayed which required high clearance or had lumpy bumpy access where inland near hydro dams. Take it slowly when on unsealed roads/tracks and you won't really have any issues.
Tony LEE said
07:45 AM May 12, 2021
Plenty of free or low cost camping opportunities over most of Tasmania and there are a few that offer free electricity, hot showers, water and dump point.
Yes, Wikicamps is all you need and you can use the filters to select the facilities you want. Rarely need to travel more than 50km to go from one to the other. Choice is limited in hobart
Increase your budget to $10 a night and that gets you in to all of the private campsites although they are mostly little more than a paddock but usually in a quiet scenic area
Possum3 said
11:04 AM May 12, 2021
Welcome to GN's Cathy, I'm sure you will enjoy Tasmania in the Spring.
As already mentioned, Wikicamps downloaded will assist in finding free-donation camps www.wikicamps.com.au/
Another great resource is Camps 11 book, which allows you to better plan your trip using maps, pictures and relevant camp information www.campsaustraliawide.com/
Sidcam said
06:49 PM May 12, 2021
Thanks for those tips all
The Travelling Dillberries said
08:22 PM May 12, 2021
You can download campsaustralia App, as good if not better than the others. We found it exceptional when travelling Tassie.
Mike Harding said
01:17 PM May 13, 2021
The Travelling Dillberries wrote:
You can download campsaustralia App, as good if not better than the others. We found it exceptional when travelling Tassie.
I looked at it this morning for Android.
It appears to be a subscription model and no will I ever pay a regular subscription for software. Also the reviews are really quite poor and highlight many significant bugs. Finally it is a large (memory wise) programme but cannot be moved to and run from a memory card.
I don't know what its database is like but it will need to fix the above before I consider it in addition to Wikicamps.
spida said
01:58 PM May 22, 2021
I spent 3 months in Tas towing an 18'6 van. The roads are great - but then I dont do off roading. There are really good camps everywhere. Just need to remember that Tas is not like the mainland. It has real hills and winding roads so you just need to drive slower! But wonderful lakes and bush. It is small enough to leave the van and do day trips into less accessible place. Loved the whole place!
Sidcam said
09:42 PM May 25, 2021
Thanks...I am very excited...and ready to take it slow....I figure one of the advantages of having my own accommodation is not being tied to a time
gdayjr said
06:13 AM May 26, 2021
spida wrote:
I spent 3 months in Tas towing an 18'6 van. The roads are great - but then I dont do off roading. There are really good camps everywhere. Just need to remember that Tas is not like the mainland. It has real hills and winding roads so you just need to drive slower! But wonderful lakes and bush. It is small enough to leave the van and do day trips into less accessible place. Loved the whole place!
This type of travel is just one of the reasons i will be taking my motorbike with me.
I did Tassie in 2013 on a bike, but only for a week. So much more i want to see.
When i pick up the new caravan next year from Melbourne, after seeing my kids in Geelong, the first proper trip i will be doing is Tassie.
No time frame whatsoever, if it takes me a year, then so be it.
Big Gorilla said
01:19 PM Sep 11, 2021
Around half way between Hobart and Launceston is a small Town, Kempton. Probably a little closer to Hobart than Launceston. Off the main street is a free camping ground. Power is available and you put a donation in a box. I usually put $5.00 for a night. If you go to the Council Office opposite the Camping Ground, and pay a refundable $10.00 deposit, you will get a key to toilets and hot showers. Also has a shelter and BBQ area. Good value and a nice little Town.
Sidcam said
11:57 AM Sep 17, 2021
Thanks....I am due to go in less than 4 weeks & need to come back to SA so it's not looking hopeful, but thanks for the idea, if I get there it sounds like a good site
oldbloke said
11:36 AM Sep 18, 2021
You can always try Camper mate. Not as good as wickicamps but it is a free app.
re (Tas is not like the mainland. It has real hills and winding roads so you just need to drive slower!)
Agree, driving/towing up a hill say at 60-70Km/hr come to a 270 deg corner, speed sign prior 35km, change down to go around the corner with a 1 in 3 gradient hill climb on the other side of the corner.
A must see state, have lived there for 10 years and visited 5 times since.
ChrisE said
10:08 AM Nov 20, 2021
I have just joined Grey Nomads and this is my first post to say thanks for all the tips on Tassie Roads. I am booked to go over on the ferry in December for two months (or so) to explore with my little JPod Outback. I am taking my kayak and looking forward to getting back to places like Lake Pedder, where I first fell in love with kayacking on a little plastic hire-model.
SoloMC said
11:22 AM Nov 20, 2021
Of all the states and territories, tassie really understands the value of providing free camping.
They are everywhere and some are just for 48 hrs and as per normal human behaviour, some ignore the time limits. But dont worry because theres always another one nearby
As said, get wikicamps and set your requirements and start searching.
Set up a trip and make your way around.
Remember that although distances are short,m travel times are much longer than you expect on the big island
There are lots of bends and hills
Dont be in a rush to see the place
Enjoy
ChrisE said
01:27 AM Dec 6, 2021
I will be in Tas at New Year. Born in Scotland, so it is compulsory that I be somewhere lively on New Years Eve (preferably on the north coast) Any suggestions?
SoloMC said
06:44 AM Dec 6, 2021
Down at the docks is (used to be)a good night
Tassie isn't known as a lively place at any time
Hi all. I am new to all this. I am a mature age single female & will be travelling to Tassie in October/November with my British made caravan & 2 dogs.... so National Parks are out except for those times I board the dogs for a few days. I will be using a Prado as a tow vehicle. I would like to be able to free camp at times but am wondering if there are places I can do this close to bitumen roads as I don't want to beat the van about too much...it has pretty good clearance but is not " off road". I am not sure at this stage I would be confident enough to camp in an isolated area by myself any way. I think I will head down the east coast first....are there non-commercial camping areas along that coast where I may be able stop? Thanks for any help
As already mentioned, Wikicamps downloaded will assist in finding free-donation camps www.wikicamps.com.au/
Another great resource is Camps 11 book, which allows you to better plan your trip using maps, pictures and relevant camp information www.campsaustraliawide.com/
You can download campsaustralia App, as good if not better than the others. We found it exceptional when travelling Tassie.
I looked at it this morning for Android.
It appears to be a subscription model and no will I ever pay a regular subscription for software. Also the reviews are really quite poor and highlight many significant bugs. Finally it is a large (memory wise) programme but cannot be moved to and run from a memory card.
I don't know what its database is like but it will need to fix the above before I consider it in addition to Wikicamps.
Thanks...I am very excited...and ready to take it slow....I figure one of the advantages of having my own accommodation is not being tied to a time
This type of travel is just one of the reasons i will be taking my motorbike with me.
I did Tassie in 2013 on a bike, but only for a week. So much more i want to see.
When i pick up the new caravan next year from Melbourne, after seeing my kids in Geelong, the first proper trip i will be doing is Tassie.
No time frame whatsoever, if it takes me a year, then so be it.
Around half way between Hobart and Launceston is a small Town, Kempton. Probably a little closer to Hobart than Launceston. Off the main street is a free camping ground. Power is available and you put a donation in a box. I usually put $5.00 for a night. If you go to the Council Office opposite the Camping Ground, and pay a refundable $10.00 deposit, you will get a key to toilets and hot showers. Also has a shelter and BBQ area. Good value and a nice little Town.
Thanks....I am due to go in less than 4 weeks & need to come back to SA so it's not looking hopeful, but thanks for the idea, if I get there it sounds like a good site
You can always try Camper mate. Not as good as wickicamps but it is a free app.
Agree, driving/towing up a hill say at 60-70Km/hr come to a 270 deg corner, speed sign prior 35km, change down to go around the corner with a 1 in 3 gradient hill climb on the other side of the corner.
A must see state, have lived there for 10 years and visited 5 times since.
I have just joined Grey Nomads and this is my first post to say thanks for all the tips on Tassie Roads. I am booked to go over on the ferry in December for two months (or so) to explore with my little JPod Outback. I am taking my kayak and looking forward to getting back to places like Lake Pedder, where I first fell in love with kayacking on a little plastic hire-model.
They are everywhere and some are just for 48 hrs and as per normal human behaviour, some ignore the time limits. But dont worry because theres always another one nearby
As said, get wikicamps and set your requirements and start searching.
Set up a trip and make your way around.
Remember that although distances are short,m travel times are much longer than you expect on the big island
There are lots of bends and hills
Dont be in a rush to see the place
Enjoy
Tassie isn't known as a lively place at any time