If you don’t already know I have a VW Transporter Camper Van which I love to travel in when I can around Australia. The last Christmas break (2024 – 2025) I took myself on a solo trip to Tasmania to predominantly hike the Three Capes Tail as well as see some other sites while I was there. Being that my van is “nearly” completely off grid ( no toilet or contained shower) and I had a lack of money…my aim was to free or cheaply camp as much as possible, and that’s what I did!
How do I find places to stay while travelling?
WikiCamps is, and will always be my greatest source of information on where to camp freely, download via the App Store, I have found it to be worth every dollar I have paid as it gives you the location of so many place to stay for cheap or even free! I have also found that along the way that with the amount of people involved in the VanLife movement nowadays that word of mouth is just as handy, if not sometimes better! So chatting to people, locals and other travellers definitely helps find those hidden places!
Important things to remember as a free camper.
Depending on when you are travelling free and cheap camps can fill up very quickly! I suggest you get to your chosen spot before 4pm, arriving later then this you risk not getting a spot. If you do come in later be courteous if the people already on site, there is nothing worse than having someone shine their high beams into your van or banging doors as they set up while you are trying to sleep! Pick up your rubbish and take it with you if there isn’t any bins and please don’t leave any toilet paper / wipes around if you are doing your business in the bush! Please put in a donation if they have a way to our spend some money in the town either at the pub, cafe or supermarket, many small towns have free camps to bring money into the community. Common sense and courtesy will ensure that these places continue to operate for the benefit of all travellers.
Anyhow here is my list of campsites I stayed at both on my journey through Victoria as well as my tripping around Tasmania!
Longwood Recreation Reserve ( Victoria)
Longwood Recreation Reserve is just off the Freeway and was a great stop after a long drive. Essentially it is a sporting field which has plenty of places to pull up whether in a van, camper or tent. Toilets are available as well as drinking water and a great playground for the kids.
COST: Donation ($5)
Bunjils Lookout and Maude Recreation Reserve ( Victoria)
This was the perfect spot to stay before boarding the Spirit of Tasmania. Around 30km away from the terminal I literally just got up, made a cuppa and drove straight into the line at the dock for my morning departure. Not only does it have toilets and a bbq area but it has the most amazing views over the fields below and the sunset was amazing. Although there are two areas space is limited so get in quick to get a spot.
COST: Donation ($5)
Oatlands Overflow Paddock (Tasmania)
Such an amazing small town with lots of spots to camp down the lake or in this Overflow Paddock. I came in quite late and still found a spot and waking up early in the morning I found the sweetest little town to wander through, it dates back to the convict days. The town has an IGA which was great to pick up some fruit and vegetables after having to get rid of it before crossing to Tasmania and just the old town vibe was so lovely I wish I could have stayed longer.
COST: Donation ($5)
Three Capes Huts Surveyors, Munro and Retakunna
These three huts were part of the 3 Capes walk which was predominately why I went to Tasmania. These huts are not you usual trail huts!! Yes you have to share with others, yes you have communal toilets and cooking / eating area ( self catering)… but they are so amazing! Timber throughout, comfy mattresses, games and books and yoga mats and the most amazing views are the highlights of all three of these huts. They all surpassed anything I had imagined that they would be.
COST: Access to the trail and huts $615 Adults / $490 child and concession. (Tas parks)
Dunalley Hotel
This is one of the places that I got knowledge of through chatting to a staff member at Port Arthur. North of Port Arthur I travelled here in the dark after going to the ghost tour, and pulled up to a paddock that was full. Lucky I found a spot squeezed in between two vans. No toilets here and with the pub still closed I found some bathrooms just down the road at a reserve along the river. Just great for a stop over really and meet my needs well.
COST: Free
Mount Field National Park
I wish I had more time to stay here, but it was just a stop over on my way to Cradle Mountain. This site is a first come first serve site you cannot book online and I was amazed at how quick it filled up! They suggest you get there at around 10am and that’s when I arrived and was so thankful I did because there was a steady flow of people coming in after. Amazing bush walks nearby and although I was very busy and popular during the day, staying onsite meant that I could get out and walk to see the waterfalls early in the morning by myself. Toilets, Showers for $2 and bbqs are available and you can have a campfire, just not on site but in the picnic area. To stay here you have to have a Tasmania Parks National Parks pass which you can get at the information centre on site if you don’t have one already. Close by there is an area with some hikes called Mount Mawson that I would have loved to check out … next time I guess.
COST: $16 ( national after parks pass)
The Vale of Belvoir
Finding somewhere to stay near Cradle Mountain is not only hard but expensive! So I was very excited to find this spot around ten minutes away from the Cradle Mountain information centre. It is quite a small space so getting there early is important! No toilets on site so technically you have to be self sufficient but too be honest nobody that was camped there, would have had a toilet on board. Dirt road in was pretty hectic with lots of pot holes but achievable for cars, camper vans and camper trailers. The views over the lake, the wildlife and the peace and quiet made this spot perfect for the two times I stayed there.
COST: Free
Scott Kilvert Hut
Scott Kilvert Hut is found along a trail in the Cradle Mountain National Park. The Lake Rodway track takes you to the hut which was constructed and dedicated to Scott Kilvert after he died in the area after being caught in a snow storm while on a school trip. You can stay in the hut, which by the way is huge with a loft for sleeping, or on the tent platforms like I did. The site has the best pit toilets I have ever seen so clean and the views out the windows where amazing, and water is available through a tank which they suggest you should treat before drinking. you don’t have to book this hut as it is not part of the overland track.
COST: Free
Ulverstone Boat Ramp
The name says it all really. A small space situated near a boat ramp and a train line ( a bit of a surprise when a very long train went by!) you are supposed to be self contained but there is a toilet nearby. It is a nice walk into town through a big park with a footpath and had an amazing sunset viewing spot but the drawcard for me was how close it is to Devonport to catch the Spirit of Tasmania. 15 mins away to the terminal made it perfect for me!
COST: Free
So all in all a cheap trip to Tasmania accommodation wise! Apart from the fee for the 3 Capes walk everything was very reasonably priced or free! Makes travel so much easier and friendlier on the budget when that one often expensive cost is taken out of it.
Do you have any accommodation tips for Tasmania?
Safe Travels
Kerrie
