Explore Australia

Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre This mine constantly struggled with water problems, but still managed to produce 26 tonnes of gold before it was closed in 1914. There's now a museum complex along with a miner's cottage.Beaconsfield Walk of Gold: self-guide historical walk that starts at the Heritage Centre; 1.8 km round trip with signage; West St. Van Diemen's Land Gallery: art and craft; Weld St. Gem and Stone Creations: gallery and giftshop; Weld St.

Holwell Gorge This is a fern-covered gorge with beautiful waterfalls in the Dazzler Range to the west of town. There are basic picnic facilities at the eastern entrance and a 3 hr return hiking track. Contact Parks & Wildlife Service on 1300 135 513; access is via Holwell or Greens Beach rds; 8 km W.Auld Kirk: convict-built church (1843) at Sidmouth with views of Batman Bridge, which features a 100 m A-frame across the River Tamar; 13 km SE. Wineries: cellar-door tastings and sales to the east of town around Rowella, Kayena and Sidmouth; Sidmouth is 13 km E. Lavender House: exhibition fields of 70 varieties of lavender, plus tearooms with specialty lavender scones and giftshop with 50 health and beauty products; 15 km E.

Lake River 78 km

‘Tasmania is in drought, we simply don’t have enough water,’ said my guide Roger Butler as we departed Hobart for Lake River, which joins the Macquarie River south of Launceston. We reached our... Find out more

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Great Lake 87 km

A year-round trout fishery, Great Lake is one of Tasmania’s best known waters and a thriving centre for holiday homes. Brown trout were first released here in 1870 and they still dominate the fishery with an... Find out more

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Arthurs Lake 87 km

Tasmanians claim that ‘even novices can catch trout in Arthurs Lake’. This probably explains why this waterway is Tasmania’s most popular trout fishery, hosting more anglers than any other water... Find out more

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Little Pine Lagoon 91 km

Little Pine Lagoon is not much to look at, but is highly regarded by fly-fishers for its springtime tailing trout and summer dun hatches. Some anglers rate it Tasmania’s premier fly-fishing water. This small water... Find out more

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Bronte System 113 km

Trout anglers probably already know that Tasmania’s Central Highland lakes are among the best in the world. Many offer fly- fishers an opportunity to sight-fish for tailing trout around the lake margins.... Find out more

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St Helens 122 km

Most mainlanders once regarded Tasmania’s east coast seaport of St Helens as a gamefishing destination, and little else. Anglers came here to head offshore in search of marlin, tuna and sharks. However, the... Find out more

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Flinders Island 163 km

Flinders Island is halfway across Bass Strait. Air travel to the island is limited but it’s worth the effort. Most anglers who visit the island and sample the fishing return full of praise for the place. Flinders... Find out more

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Salmon Ponds 173 km

Most Australian trout anglers regard Tasmania as the nation’s premier trout destination. It’s like Tasmania was purpose-designed for trout, with hundreds of lakes and a cooler climate. Mother Nature... Find out more

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Twin Lakes 185 km

I always thought the title of John Gierach’s entertaining book Where the Trout are all as Long as your Leg was a little farfetched, until I realised it related to a time when he was five years old. I am a little... Find out more

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The Springs 192 km

Visitors to Hobart who are short on time can get a trout fix less than 20 mins’ drive from the CBD at an exclusive fishery called The Springs. It is a year-round fishery and is restricted to a maximum of two... Find out more

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Low Head Penguin Tours 15 km

Every night at dusk this comprehensive but inexpensive tour takes visitors to a little penguin-nesting site near the mouth of the Tamar River, where you can watch the penguins waddle ashore to return to their nests. The... Find out more

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Platypus Encounters, Latrobe 34 km

Three brothers almost single-handedly turned an old quarry site into one of the most reliable places in the world to see wild platypus. In fact, the guided tours have never failed to encounter a platypus in Warrawee... Find out more

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Tamar Island 37 km

This important wetland habitat just 10 minutes from the heart of Launceston features a great bird-viewing hide, 3.2 kilometres of easy walking tracks and an interpretation centre.... Find out more

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Trowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek 52 km

One of the most respected and long-running wildlife parks in Tasmania, Trowunna is involved in conservation, education and rehabilitation. There is a wide range of wildlife on display, including devils, reptiles, quolls... Find out more

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Giant crayfish research, near Ulverstone 53 km

Tasmania has the largest freshwater crayfish in the world, and they can grow up to a metre in length, with claws that could cut a person’s hand off. You can go out on a research trip with the world’s expert... Find out more

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Forest Ecocentre, Scottsdale 59 km

The uniquely designed building is probably the key attraction here. Designed to use 20 per cent less energy than conventional structures, it has a building within a building, with a central funnel and large fan. Learn... Find out more

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Hiking the Penguin to Cradle walk 63 km

If you want to embark on a little-known, but highly varied Tasmanian bushwalk, try part or the entire 80-kilometre Penguin to Cradle walk. It starts at the coast, goes through a mix of rural areas, woodlands, canyons,... Find out more

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Gunns Plains Cave 66 km

Located just south-west of Gunns Plains (some 23 kilometres south-west of Ulverstone), this is yet another great limestone cave. It has one of the largest shawl formations in the Southern Hemisphere, glow worms aplenty... Find out more

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Creative Paper, Burnie 78 km

Make your own paper with recycled bits and pieces on a half-hour tour at this non-profit, community-based enterprise. They use all sorts of odds and ends to make their eco-friendly papers, including old jeans, fruit pulp... Find out more

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Tarkine Trails 79 km

Delve deeply into the temperate rainforest of the Tarkine Wilderness on a multi-day bushwalk with Tarkine Trails. Unashamedly made up of conservation activists, the company is keen to show you why the Tarkine area should... Find out more

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Barnbougle Dunes Links 56 km

Bridport used to be a sleepy fishing village on Tasmania’s north-east coast. That all changed in 2004. In December of that year Barnbougle Dunes Links opened for play on the eastern outskirts of town – and... Find out more

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Barnbougle Dunes Links (Lost Farm course) 58 km

When Barnbougle Dunes opened for play in 2004 it did have a few critics who suggested it was too far away from the golfing masses to be financially successful. How wrong they were. If a golf course is good enough,... Find out more

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Tasmania Golf Club 188 km

The challenge a golf course presents can often be measured by the quality of player it produces. At Tasmania Golf Club, the name Goggin crops up regularly on the honour boards. Lindy Goggin, a three-time Australian... Find out more

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Royal Hobart Golf Club 192 km

Royal Hobart Golf Club has come a long way from humble beginnings. It started out at Sandy Bay, not far from where Wrest Point Casino stands today, in 1896. Known as the Newlands course, it was an incredible par- 89:... Find out more

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Tamar Valley Wholefoods 
& Coffee Shop

This is not just a cafe but a cash-only treasure trove of organic wholefoods, herbal teas, ethically produced coffee, baked goods and dairy products. The shelves are packed with healthy produce and quality ingredients... Find out more

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Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe 122 km

Purple Possum is in the great little town of St Marys, midway between St Helens and Bicheno. The cafe is wholly vegetarian, and you can take away a range of organic fruit and vegetables and locally grown supplies.... Find out more

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Boag's (J.Boag & Son) 37 km

With several different owners over the past 100 years, J. Boag and Son typifies the sometimes turbulent history of Australian brewing and the minor miracle of surviving at all into the 21st century. Scotsman James Boag... Find out more

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Iron House Brewery 132 km

When White Sands Resort came on the market a few years ago it proved too tempting for Devonport businessman John White, who already runs several companies bearing his surname. Rebranded as White Sands Estate, the... Find out more

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Two Metre Tall Company 170 km

Ashley Huntington actually is 2 metres tall – probably taller if you include his mop of curly hair – and his generous height is also the name for the craftbrewing enterprise he runs from the Derwent... Find out more

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Moo Brew 183 km

With its striking, glass and steel brewhouse perched high above the Derwent River, Moo Brew is probably the best-appointed microbrewery in the land. It’s also part of Moorilla Estate, situated on the outskirts of... Find out more

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Cascade Brewery 192 km

It’s impossible not to wax lyrical about the Cascade Brewery. It is the oldest working brewery in the country, one of the quaintest-looking industrial buildings and it’s located in the most picturesque of... Find out more

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Horse Yards camping area 18 km

A 26 km horseriding trail leads from this camping area, but you must camp nearby and give the ranger 48 hours’ notice before you can bring your horse into the park. Narawntapu is 40 km east of Devonport via the... Find out more

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Springlawn camping area 19 km

This is the place to head to in the park if you have a large rig and need power. It also has the best facilities and is only 100 m past the ranger station and visitor centre, so it’s just a short walk to join one... Find out more

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Bakers Point camping area 21 km

On the point by Springlawn beach, this large camping area has 36 sites – 16 suitable for larger rigs – a portable toilet waste collection point and a boat launching area. There’s excellent fishing in... Find out more

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Koybaa camping area 22 km

This camping area at Griffiths Point, 4 km past the ranger station, has 12 small sites surrounded by scrub. They are suitable only for tent-based camping because you have to carry your gear in past a row of... Find out more

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Port Sorell Lions Club Caravan Park 22 km

This large caravan park is close to shops and just a short walk from the foreshore of the Rubicon Estuary, with its sheltered beach and lovely views of Narawntapu National Park. The safe swimming beach and kids... Find out more

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Lilydale Falls Reserve camping area 33 km

In the middle of Tasmania’s north-eastern wine region, 2.5 km north of the little township of Lilydale on Golconda Rd B81, this pleasant campground has shady sites beneath a parkland of mature trees. The... Find out more

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Bellingham Coastal Reserve camping area 35 km

Between Pipers River and Bellingham dunes, this undeveloped camping area offers a great surf beach, excellent birdwatching and a sheltered estuary with very good fishing. The campsites are tucked into the coastal scrub... Find out more

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Andy’s Motorhome and Camper Park 36 km

Behind Westbury’s 24 hr bakery cafe, this motorhome park is a convenient stopover 30 min from Launceston, with great facilities including a laundry, dump point and wireless hotspot. While you’re here, check... Find out more

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Myrtle Park Recreation Ground 47 km

This delightful camping area is next to the pretty St Patricks River in the little township of Targa, about halfway between Launceston and Scottsdale on the Tasman Hwy A3. The camping area is beside riverbank willows,... Find out more

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Bridport Caravan Park 53 km

This is like one of those caravan parks you remember from the past, when summer was just sun, sand and swimming. Set up camp among the trees, nip over to the beach for a long lazy swim with the kids, then enjoy the... Find out more

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BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park 12 km

The park is set on a large expanse of grassy, maintained grounds and includes a small golf course. It has good amenities, a wellstocked store and a great outlook over the broad estuary of the River Tamar. Wombats... Find out more

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Low Head Tourist Park 13 km

A lot of recent development has transformed this into an attractive park. There are large grassy areas, and most facilities for the discerning traveller are here. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Port Sorell Lions Caravan Park 22 km

This popular beachfront park is owned and operated by the Lions Club. It is close to the centre of town, adjacent to the boat ramp and ideal for family holidays. It is an easy drive to the Devonport ferry terminal from... Find out more

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Bay View Holiday Village 37 km

Close to the beach on the east side of Devonport, this park is just a short drive to the Spirit of Tasmania ferry terminal. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Abel Tasman Caravan Park 38 km

Located just a couple of blocks from the Spirit of Tasmania terminal, this park has obvious benefits for those arriving or departing by the boat. The park has sites to cater for all size rigs and is ideal for a longer... Find out more

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Deloraine Apex Caravan Park 39 km

With good facilities, this park is about a oneand- a-half hour drive to Cradle Mountain and about half that to Great Lake. There are good bushwalks in the area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Treasure Island Caravan Park 39 km

Launceston has just this one caravan park. It is about 2 km south of the city centre and is easily accessible from the freeway when approaching from the south. The park has good facilities and is a good base to use when... Find out more

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Longford Riverside Caravan Park 50 km

This park, with good amenities, is located on the banks of the Macquarie River, only a few hundred metres from the centre of town. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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BIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park 54 km

This is a good quality park with spacious grassy areas and a range of facilities, about 1 km from the town centre and close to the surf club on East Beach. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Penguin Beachside Holiday Resort 64 km

This beachfront park at the western end of town has undergone a makeover. The waterfront sites have been refurbished and the park restaurant should soon be back. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Exchange Hotel

In the main street of ‘Beaky’, this lovely old two-storey pub has budget-priced, comfortable accommodation. It has been a pub since 1890 and while these days it’s nothing fancy, it’s a friendly... Find out more

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Tamar River Retreat

Known locally as ‘the cherry farm’, this property is close to the Batman Bridge and offers easy access to both sides of the Tamar Valley. Two self-contained cottages overlook the river and are surrounded by... Find out more

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Mountain Valley, Loongana 74 km

Mountain Valley is off the beaten tourist track, situated around 64 kilometres south-west of Devonport (due south of Burnie). Visitors here stay in rustic cabins with open fireplaces on a private and remote 60-hectare... Find out more

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Cradle Mountain Lodge 86 km

Live in the lap of luxury – old style – with a warm and welcoming central lodge, surrounded by individual cabins. Like nearly any large lodge, it does not have a perfect environmental record, but this... Find out more

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Waldheim Cabins 88 km

You can steal a march on everyone else in the morning by staying in historic cabins at a beautiful spot within Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, operated by the Parks and Wildlife Service. The cabins are... Find out more

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Rainbow Retreat 125 km

The owners of this 30-hectare nature reserve at St Marys are wildlife carers who rehabilitate then release wildlife on the property, so there are plenty of their old friends wandering around, including wombats,... Find out more

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Curringa Farm 150 km

Near Hamilton, about an hour’s drive west of Hobart, this eco-accredited 300-hectare property gives visitors a taste of sustainable farming practices.Give a couple of day’s notice and you can tour the farm,... Find out more

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Peppermint Ridge Retreat, Woodbridge 221 km

Even without the stunning views over the D’Entrecasteaux Channel from 6-metre-high windows, the pademelons that hop around, or the free-range eggs and organic vegetable garden that guests are allowed to raid in... Find out more

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Parramatta Creek Rest Area 28 km

26 km NW of Deloraine (L) or 17 km SE of Latrobe (R) Pleasant area just off the highway among some large trees on the bank of the creek. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 19.830 E146 31.826 ... Find out more

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Myrtle Park Camp Area 48 km

31 km SW of Scottsdale (R) or 31 km NE of Launceston (L) Large grassed camp area just off the highway on the banks of St Patrick’s River. Kiosk and telephone nearby. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 18.664... Find out more

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Perth Park Area 51 km

North side of town Parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 34.286 E147 10.184... Find out more

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Sideling Lookout Park Area 52 km

17 km SW of Scottsdale (L) or 45 km NE of Launceston (R) Small area adjacent to the highway with good views over the surrounding countryside. Good facilities. GPS: S41 15.440 E147 25.844... Find out more

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Scottsdale Rest Area 59 km

East side of town Large area just off the highway. Very good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 09.977 E147 31.380... Find out more

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Derby Park Area 83 km

North side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway on the banks of the river. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 08.517 E147 47.843 ... Find out more

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Somerset Park Area 84 km

Middle of town Small parking area at the junction with Murchison Highway on the banks of Cam River. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 02.487 E145 50.329... Find out more

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Jonah Bay Camp Area 84 km

T/O 13 km SE of Miena (L) or 43 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large area in a natural bush setting on edge of the lake 10 kilometres north of the highway via Poatina Road and Gunns Marsh Road. NOTE: Access road part... Find out more

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Conara Rest Area 87 km

11 km N of Campbell Town (L) or 37 km S of Perth (R) Large area just off the highway on the road into town. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 49.805 E147 26.332... Find out more

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Pumphouse Bay Camp Area 89 km

T/O 13 km SE of Miena (L) or 43 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large open area on edge of the lake 6 kilometres north of the highway via Poatina Road. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S41 59.977 E146 51.076... Find out more

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Little Pine Lagoon Camp Area 90 km

T/O at Miena via Marlborough Highway Small camping area located 12 kilometres south-west of Miena. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S42 00.005 E146 36.661... Find out more

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Wynyard Park Area 93 km

East side of town Small parking area on the foreshore. Good facilities. GPS: S40 59.408 E145 44.545... Find out more

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Campbell Town Rest Area 99 km

South side of town Large grassed area just off the highway on the banks of the river. Limited shade. GPS: S41 55.922 E147 29.372... Find out more

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Hellyer Gorge Rest Area 101 km

40 km S of Somerset (L) or 66 km N of Tullah (R) Pleasant area adjacent to the highway surrounded by forest. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S41 16.409 E145 36.908 ... Find out more

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Lagoon of Islands Rest Area 101 km

T/O 20 SE of Miena (L) or 36 km NW of Bothwell (R) Large area located 4 kilometres east of the highway (turn off at Steppes) on the shores of the lake. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S42 06.677 E146 56.163... Find out more

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Fossey River Rest Area 104 km

67 km S of Somerset (L) or 39 km N of Tullah (R) Large area just off the highway surrounded by forest. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 27.048 E145 37.263... Find out more

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Ross Park Area 108 km

South side of town Very small area at the historic bridge well off the highway on the road into the township. GPS: S42 01.876 E147 29.401... Find out more

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Blackburn Creek Rest Area 108 km

29 km SE of Miena (R) or 27 km NW of Bothwell (L) Large open area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S42 10.356 E146 54.285... Find out more

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Sisters Beach Rest Area 110 km

T/O 13 km NW of Wynyard (R) or 54 km SE of Smithton (L) Small shady area on the foreshore 8 kilometres north of the highway. Very good facilities and shade. GPS: S40 55.007 E145 33.714... Find out more

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Tullabardine Dam Rest Area 111 km

T/O 105 km S of Somerset (L) or 1 km N of Tullah (R) Large area 6 kilometres east of the highway at the dam. GPS: S41 41.127 E145 39.388... Find out more

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Bronte Lagoon Rest Area 112 km

28 km SE of Derwent Bridge (R) or 21 km N of Tarraleah (L) Small area adjacent to the highway on the shores of the lagoon. GPS: S42 10.777 E146 30.033... Find out more

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Tullah Park Area 117 km

Off the main street into town (opposite shopping centre) Large parking area on the shores of Lake Rosebery. Limited shade. GPS: S41 44.172 E145 36.947  ... Find out more

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Bradys Lake Camp Area 117 km

36 km SE of Derwent Bridge (L) or 13 km N of Tarraleah (R) Small open grassy area located 1 kilometre off the highway on the shores of the lake. No facilities or shade. GPS: S42 13.920 E146 29.820... Find out more

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Scamander Forest Camp Area 121 km

T/O at Beaumaris Small camp area 11 kilometres west of Beaumaris via Skyline Drive among trees on Trout Creek. Good shade. GPS: S41 26.114 E148 13.532... Find out more

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St Helens Park Area 122 km

South side of town on the foreshore Small parking area on the foreshore adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. GPS: S41 20.455 E148 15.812... Find out more

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Cosy Corner North Camp Area 123 km

T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Large camp area in a natural bush setting near the foreshore 15 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. Good shade. GPS: S41 13.302 E148 16.924... Find out more

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Cosy Corner South Camp Area 123 km

T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Large camp area in the scrub on the foreshore 14 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. GPS: S41 13.532 E148 16.977  ... Find out more

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Swimcart Beach Camp Area 123 km

T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Small camp area on the foreshore 13 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. GPS: S41 13.729 E148 17.053... Find out more

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Moulting Bay Camp Area 123 km

T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Large campground in the scrub near the foreshore 7 kilometres north-east of St Helens and 1 kilometre south of Binalong Bay Road. Good shade. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. ... Find out more

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Jeanneret Beach Camp Area 124 km

T/O at St Helens via Binalong Bay Road Small camp area on the foreshore 12 kilometres north-east of St Helens via Binalong Bay Road and Garden Road. NOTE: Campervans only. GPS: S41 14.220 E148 17.435... Find out more

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