The best waterside campgrounds in Tasmania

Tasmania’s waterside camping scene delivers for those who want to pitch a tent right near the action. With over 700 campsites scattered along rivers, lakes, and the coastline, you’ll find spots where platypus paddle at dawn and the only alarm clock is the sound of waves. Sites start as low as $8 a night, with an average around $27. You can light a campfire, bring your dog, and count on basic toilets at most locations. Locals head for Semaphore Farm (573 reviews), Sherwood River Camp (482 reviews), and Blythe River Campground (424 reviews) for swimming holes, riverside bushwalking, and a quick dash to surf breaks. The wild weather can change in minutes—pack layers. Don’t forget your swimmers and a rubbish bag; Tassie’s waterside gems are even better when you leave them cleaner than you found them.

96% (5.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

100%

(198)

3 sites · Tents, RVs · Macquarie Plains, TAS

**Please note that it's $20 per person per night. Small farm and vineyard at Macquarie Plains in the Upper Derwent Valley, southern Tasmania. The property is 380m from the junction of the Lyell Highway and the Gordon River Road. It has 450m absolute river frontage on the River Derwent (no riparian reserve). The river here is freshwater, potable and a renowned trout water, (licence required). Three kilometres from the village of Gretna. 4WD Preferred. 2WD need to assess river access. Campers need all own amenities and leave no trace. Dog friendly but please see rules, we have livestock and so dogs need to be well controlled at all times. Campfires permitted when restrictions aren't in place (see rules around campfires). Due to hydro generation activity, the river may slowly rise or fall up to 1m (often without rain) so please be careful around the water.

Tasmania’s waterside camping scene delivers for those who want to pitch a tent right near the action. With over 700 campsites scattered along rivers, lakes, and the coastline, you’ll find spots where platypus paddle at dawn and the only alarm clock is the sound of waves. Sites start as low as $8 a night, with an average around $27. You can light a campfire, bring your dog, and count on basic toilets at most locations. Locals head for Semaphore Farm (573 reviews), Sherwood River Camp (482 reviews), and Blythe River Campground (424 reviews) for swimming holes, riverside bushwalking, and a quick dash to surf breaks. The wild weather can change in minutes—pack layers. Don’t forget your swimmers and a rubbish bag; Tassie’s waterside gems are even better when you leave them cleaner than you found them.

96% (5.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

100%

(198)

3 sites · Tents, RVs · Macquarie Plains, TAS

**Please note that it's $20 per person per night. Small farm and vineyard at Macquarie Plains in the Upper Derwent Valley, southern Tasmania. The property is 380m from the junction of the Lyell Highway and the Gordon River Road. It has 450m absolute river frontage on the River Derwent (no riparian reserve). The river here is freshwater, potable and a renowned trout water, (licence required). Three kilometres from the village of Gretna. 4WD Preferred. 2WD need to assess river access. Campers need all own amenities and leave no trace. Dog friendly but please see rules, we have livestock and so dogs need to be well controlled at all times. Campfires permitted when restrictions aren't in place (see rules around campfires). Due to hydro generation activity, the river may slowly rise or fall up to 1m (often without rain) so please be careful around the water.

Stories from the community

S

Ste

November 2025

8 m pop-up camper

With kids

4 nights at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

The perfect place to camp for a few days. The site is huge, flat and runs along the side of the river. It’s beautiful country. Derek is a fantastic host and also respectful of your privacy whilst you’re camping there. The horses he has at his property became great friends to our kids! Great place. Cheers Derek.

J

Jeanne-Marie

October 2025

9 m travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

This is our second time camping at Derek's farm and his gem is now our favourite spot in Tassie. Derek is one of the nicest hosts ever. He has so much knowledge of the area. He brough some carrots and apples for the kids to feed the friendly horses. We had had a wonderful time and have already booked for the new year. Thank you Derek for sharing your beautiful property. You need to be fully self contained.

Katrina

October 2025

5 m travel trailer

2 nights at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Great host meet us at the gate Lovely clean and tidy and flat area Great place to park up and explore the area

J

Jess

September 2025

9 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

We had such an amazing time at Ryelands again. Derek is such a wonderful host bringing carrots for our girls to feed his horses while also giving them both a little keepsake of a Spotted Quoll. This spot is beautiful and pure bliss with ample space for a group of just to enjoy on your own right by the riverside. Plus the wine Derek makes is fabulous! We will be back again

R

Reece

September 2025

7 m Class A

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Absolutely beautiful place, we stayed one night wish we had more time to stay longer.

Clinton

August 2025

6 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Absolute river front with a well-stocked firewood pile, clean, quiet location.

Kathy

August 2025

8 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Derek's place is stunningly beautiful, you are camping right on the river with plenty of flat space to perch. We have a rig that's the max size recommended for the site and it was a breeze to get in and out. The vista is stunning, peaceful and the site is so private and very well maintained, with clean tables and chairs and fire pits to use. The free firewood appreciated. Great communication and clear instructions. A very special place, thank you Derek.

B

Brett

August 2025

8 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Beautiful spot to stay, nice and quiet and relaxing. Even got a few trout to top it off. Derek was a great host and we will definately be back.

Chris

June 2025

8 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

What an awesome spot. Derek is a wonderful host, friendly and very informative. Setup has tables, great fire pit and wood supplied. There is access to water straight out of the Derwent River, nothing fresher. Great place to go and explore the Mt Field National Park, Gordon Dam or Salmon Ponds and a must is Plenty Cider right next door (to Salmon Ponds). Close enough for a run into New Norfolk for their Saturday morning street market. Gretna Green Hotel is just up the highway.

R

Rebecca

June 2025

6 m Class B

1 night at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Can’t not recommend this place enough !! We had the best stay, the host Derek was so welcoming, thoughtful and helpful. We arrived to a pristine campsite with a fire ready to go. Derek gave us so much info about the area which we loved as first time visitors !!

M

Meagan

June 2025

8 m pop-up camper

With kids

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Absolutely picturesque spot on the river. Derek made us feel so welcomed and even had a surprise for the kids. Looking forward to visiting again in the warmer months to swim in the river.

D

Daisy

April 2025

7 m travel trailer

Group trip

5 nights at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Derek is a wonderful host and the property is well set up. The fire pit and picnic table is a nice spot and the access to the Derwent River is perfect. Closest he highway yet so quiet. Clean public toilet around the corner at Gretna is handy.

D

Daryl

April 2025

7 m travel trailer

Group trip

5 nights at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Amazing location, sleeping with the running water of the river is so peaceful. The wine from the vineyard is very nice also.

C

Claudia

April 2025

6 m Class A

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Lovely quiet spot along the river. We kayaked 20 minutes down and came across a fur seal. Lots of platypus about. Derek was very friendly.

John

March 2025

5 m travel trailer

3 nights at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Ryelands Farm & Vineyard is a great place to camp for a few days. Private and secluded with great river access and views. We were lucky enough to spot a Quill at night , but the highlight was having the resident Platypus swim right up to me in the river. Derek is a friendly easy going host who puts a lot of work into making his guests feel welcome. The picnic table , bbq and firepit with ample wood provided made for an easy and comfortable stay. We didn’t manage to try Derek’s wine this visit but will on our return in the near future. Some phone signal by the rivers edge was useful and an easy 15-20 minute drive to New Norfolk if you need to stock up and find a dump point.

Karen

March 2025

8 m travel trailer

1 night at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Loved our overnight stay at Ryelands … Derek was super lovely, the river was incredible and being able to purchase a bottle of Dereks wine was an added bonus❤️ would highly my recommend 👍👍

K

Keith

March 2025

5 m Class B

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

The site is in a beautiful spot next to the river with plenty of space to relax. Derek was very friendly and helpful and we enjoyed his wine very much. There was a barbecue which could be used but due to wild fire restrictions at the time we didn't.

Marcus

March 2025

Weekend Trip to Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Another awesome trip to Ryelands has come and gone. Dereks unique place always makes for a great camping experience.

R

Reg

February 2025

5 m car

1 night at Ryelands Farm & Vineyard

Derek was so lovely and welcoming. The location was gorgeous. Thoughtful added touches with Umbrella and fire wood. Couldn’t fault it. Great for either singles, couples or small groups. The wine was lovely also. Well done Derek. Jo and Reg.