The best camping near Hobart, Tasmania.

Hobart serves up a varied slice of urban and rural delights, with easy access to Tasmania’s south coast. In the city, lively markets and museums provide a culture fix, while outdoor adventurers can hike up to Mount Wellington, hit the beach, or enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking along the Tasman Peninsula. Campers have ample options too, whether glamping in a deluxe tipi, relaxing in your motorhome at a caravan park, or pitching your tent at a rustic bush camping ground. With mountains, beaches, and bushlands all under two hours from the city, you can select your backdrop of choice.

Tasman Peninsula

Piercing cliffs, wave-ravaged beaches, and beautiful sandy bays carve out the dramatic landscapes of the Tasman Peninsula, just an hour’s drive southeast of Hobart. This is the place to escape city life—simple unpowered sites let you get even closer to bushwalking trails and remote beaches, and it’s even possible to camp right by the Port Arthur Historic Site, one of Tasmania’s most unmissable attractions.

Wellington to Mount Field National Park

Looming on the horizon to the west, the mist-capped peak of Mount Wellington stands watch over Hobart and provides ample terrain for hikers, mountain bikers, and campers, just minutes from the CBD. A further 2-hour drive brings you to the mountains and waterfalls of the Mount Field National Park, where riverfront camping areas offer access to hiking trails and fishing spots, and self-sufficient campers can escape to secluded bush campsites.

South Coast and Bruny Island

Beaches, coastal walks, and lush peaks wind around the coast south of Hobart, and road-trippers can stop off at seafront towns such as Dover and Southport. Ferries to Bruny Island leave from Kettering, just a short drive from Hobart, where you can spot seabirds as you cruise the coast, tuck into fresh-from-the-ocean oysters, and pitch your tent by remote beaches and bushlands.

When to Go

The most popular time for camping and outdoor activities around Hobart is summer (December through February), when camping grounds book up quickly. Spring and autumn are also ideal for camping—head to the national parks around Hobart to hike against a backdrop of spring wildflowers or witness the ‘Turning of the Fagus’ (Tasmania’s fall foliage). Touring by caravan or campervan is preferable in winter (June through August), when rainy days and chilly nights are common.

Know Before You Go

• Tassie weather is notoriously changeable, so pack for all eventualities, even in summer. 
• A National Parks pass is required to visit, hike, or camp within Tasmania’s national parks. 
• Fire bans are common in Tasmania during summer and dry periods, so be sure to check local recommendations before lighting your campfire or use the designated firepits. 
• Possums and Tasmanian Devils are common around Hobart—secure your food and anything else that might attract wildlife. Having your own transport is a big plus around Hobart—public transport is limited to the national parks and beaches.