02 September 2024
5 mins Read
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Address: 53a Sandown Road, Norwood
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Address: 2a Archers St, Longford
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