Tasmania’s Best Camping Spots For Water Lovers
Lutruwita/Tasmania’s water is some of the purest in the world. Whether for its clean taste straight from the tap, its invigorating chill on one of Tassie’s many pristine beaches, or its capacity to define whole landscapes - our water is a natural icon all of its own … and it’s even quietly powering the island, too.
Across the state, Hydro Tasmania manages an intricate network of lakes and waterways that double as some of the most spectacular (and surprisingly accessible) camping holiday destinations for lovers of water-based recreation and adventure. Here’s our round-up of just some of Tasmania’s best outdoor escapes for those who feel most offline when they’re on the water’s edge.
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Lake Parangana (image: Tourism Tasmania & Masaaki Aihara)
LAKE PARANGANA CAMPGROUND
Considered by many as one of the state’s best rivers for trout fishing, keen anglers and wannabe line-casters alike should add Lake Parangana in the state’s north-west to their camping bucket list. The picturesque 28-acre lake invites bait, lure and flyfishing, with impressive populations of brown trout, and the occasional rainbow trout, to boot.
Though the call to simply settle in and relax lakeside is strong here, consider a half-day trip to Devil’s Gullet (one hour south-east), where an easy 10-minute walk from the carpark will have you looking out over 220-metre high vertical dolerite cliffs, as well as the entire profile of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair World Heritage Area. Out here, world-class fishing meets world-class views.
Kayaking on the Pieman River (image: Places We Go)
LAKE PIEMAN CAMPGROUND
In Tassie, they don’t call it the wild west coast for nothing. Located near Rosebery and Zeehan, Lake Pieman Campground is only accessible when the 222-hectare lake is below half a metre from its full supply - and even when the gates are open, there’s something beautifully untamed about this landscape.
As with its counterparts, Pieman offers excellent trout fishing, boating and kayaking opportunities, but its magic lies in its location on the edge of the wilderness, and surrounded by steep banks of ancient native trees, including Huon pine and myrtle beech.
Nearby must-dos include the Pieman River Cruise from Corinna township (so you can say you rode the Fatman across the Pieman - IYKYK), and the just-over-one-hour drive to Montezuma Falls for a gentle three-hour return walk through rambling rainforest to one of Tassie’s highest waterfalls.
Fly fishing at Lake Burbury (image: Samuel Shelley)
DARWIN DAM CAMPGROUND
Just under two hours south of Lake Pieman, Darwin Dam Campground continues the wild west narrative, located on the shore of Lake Burbury 15 minutes out of Queenstown. However you want to engage with the water - in it, on it, or next to it - three boat ramps provide easy access to the 23-kilometre long lake, while the campground itself offers up waterside and bush-nestled sites in equal measure.
Keen walkers should include the trek out to Kelly Basin - beginning just over an hour’s drive from the lake - on their itinerary. Following the line of an old railway that once serviced a thriving mine, this four-hour return trip is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks for its proximity to both wilderness and heritage.
For more information on these and other great Tasmanian camping spots for water lovers, visit Hydro Tasmania.
