Best Launceston Camping Spots To Escape Into Nature

From camping alongside alpacas to pushing in the tent pegs on the banks of a pretty river near a historic estate, the campgrounds in and around Launceston provide a perfect escape into nature.

Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly campsite with a giant jumping pillow or a secluded spot to unwind adjacent to a vineyard, this guide will help you find the ideal location to pitch your tent and explore the photogenic landscapes of northern Tasmania.

BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park

Looking for a holiday park with all the bells and whistles? Make a beeline to BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park , just a 2-minute drive from the CBD. There’s a bouncing pillow, games room, taxidermy display, playground, BBQs, camp kitchen and laundry. Bring a torch for wildlife spotting – there are plenty of wallabies that hop down from the bushland in the evening.

Accommodation-wise, folks in caravans, campervans, motorhomes and camp trailers can choose from an exclusive number of powered sites with either grass or a concrete slab, while tent-dwellers have plenty of grassy terrain to choose from.

Stay in an air-conditioned villa at BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park.

For those who prefer four solid walls, there’s a wide range of air-conditioned villas, including the sleek three-bedroom condos that sleep up to eight.

a look inside the modern interior of Big4 Launceston Holiday Park — BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park offers sleek three-bedroom condos that sleep up to eight.

Pick up a snack at the excellent providore and gift shop, which stocks the likes of local mussel soup and freeze-dried ice cream. If you don’t feel like cooking, take a 10-minute stroll to the All Year Round Tavern and order the BBQ pork belly ribs (slow roasted for a whopping 18 hours).

Address: 86 Glen Dhu St

Old Mac’s Farm Stay

Just 10 minutes from the CBD but with relaxed country vibes, Old Mac’s Farm Stay is a sprawling green retreat that combines the rustic charm of farm life with an inner city-style restaurant. Does it get any better than emerging from your caravan, walking past friendly sheep, alpacas and chickens and dining on berry French toast with pink Persian fairy floss?

The restaurant, Apricus – meaning ‘sunny, having lots of sunshine’ – serves up brekky, lunch and dinner. The drink selection is impressive, with friendly staff pouring a fabulous array of teas (think Malabar chai and honeydew green) and quality local beers, wines, cocktails and spirits.

the Apricus Restaurant at Old Mac’s Farm Stay, Launceston — Dine brekky, lunch and dinner at the on site restaurant Apricus.

For caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers (sorry tents are not permitted) there are unpowered and powered sites. Facilities include water hook-up, toilets and dump point but take note – there are no shower facilities.

the camping site at Old Mac’s Farm Stay, Launceston — Old Mac’s Farm Stay exudes relaxed country vibes. (Image: Murray Howse Graphic Design)

There’s a communal fire pit or you’re welcome to bring your own, provided it’s elevated off the ground. At dawn or sunset, pull on some sturdy shoes to hike up to Big Hill Lookout for stunning views across the whole site.

the river at Old Mac’s Farm Stay, Launceston — Escape into nature at Old Mac’s Farm Stay. (Image: Murray Howse Graphic Design)

Address: 53a Sandown Road, Norwood

Launceston Holiday Park Legana

Launceston Holiday Park Legana , 10 minutes north of the city, is a great pick for anyone looking for a relaxing yet convenient spot close to the Tamar Valley vineyards and farms. Set on a swathe of leafy parkland, foodies will love visiting the idyllic berry plantations, apple and pear orchards and honey producers in the area.

The park has a range of accommodation options, from roomy powered sites and a grassy tent area to no-frills self-contained cabins, including family villas that sleep five. Amenities include shower facilities, a well-equipped camp kitchen and a laundry. The Legana shops area is close by, so you won’t be far from access to groceries, a post office and a bottle shop.

Address: 711 W Tamar Hwy, Legana

Discovery Parks – Hadspen

A 15-minute drive southwest of Launceston, this tidy Discovery Parks property would suit travellers looking for a quiet, budget-friendly park with a cool games room for the kids. Campers and caravaners can pick from green or gravel-powered sites.

a father and daughter with their bicycles at Hadspen River — Pedal your way around Discovery Parks – Hadspen.

For adventurers looking for lodgings, there are self-contained homely villas that sleep up to six (some are pet-friendly). The superior cedar cabins with two sets of wooden bunk beds would be the pick of the bunch for families with kids.

kids in the outdoor fire area at Discovery Parks Hadspen — This tidy Discovery Parks property suits travellers looking for a quiet, budget-friendly park.

Heading out? Hadspen’s handy location allows easy access to nearby attractions, such as local wineries and the 200-year-old Entally Estate, where you can pop by for a tour, Devonshire Tea on the verandah or to sip Entally wine.

Address: 9 Main St, Hadspen

Longford Riverside Caravan Park

Smack bang on the banks of the pretty Macquarie River, the Longford Riverside Caravan Park offers a no-fuss stay for nature lovers, just 10 minutes from the Launceston airport and 20 minutes from the CBD. The park boasts 100 powered sites, all with sullage and water, and 50 unpowered sites, as well as on-site near new permanent caravans for those seeking a bit more comfort.

It’s a clean and well-maintained park with two amenities blocks, a camp kitchen, a BBQ area and a small playground. Spend your days exploring the historic town of Longford, with its heritage buildings and local shops providing a glimpse into Tasmania’s past. For outdoor enthusiasts, the river offers opportunities for fishing and quiet riverside walks. Nearby, you can visit notable sites like Woolmers Estate and Brickendon Estate with its 20 heritage buildings to explore.

a look inside one of the modern caravans at Longford Riverside Caravan Park, Launceston — Longford Riverside Caravan Park offers a no-fuss stay for nature lovers.

Address: 2a Archers St, Longford

Explore the area with our guide to the 11 best things to do in Launceston.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

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Launceston camping spots for outdoor lovers