Narawntapu National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

First proclaimed in 1978, the national park received it current name in 2000 and encloses a 20-kilometre strip of coast with long sandy beaches, dunes and freshwater lagoons, dissected by a sandstone range rising to 392 metres at its highest peak. The first park in the state to adopt its Aboriginal name, Narawntapu has been the site of shellfish collection and tool production for 30 000 years. Vegetation is largely heath and coastal wattle, commonly known as boobyalla, with patches of teatree and silver banksia around the lagoons. One of the prettiest plants is the rare, miniature trigger plant. Wildlife is highly visible, with Forester kangaroos, Bennett’s wallabies, Tasmanian pademelons, Tasmanian devils and wombats. Ranger-led walks and talks are a highlight in summer. Springlawn Nature Trail (1 hour return), the most popular walk, leads to a bird hide and the chance to see ducks, swans, herons, coots, bitterns, grebes and cormorants. Archer’s Knob walk (2 hours return) heads up to a vantage point with fantastic views along Bakers Beach to Badger Head and across Port Sorell. West Head Coastal Track (2 hours return) winds around West Head to Pebbly Beach, with views across the Tamar River mouth to Low Head. Springlawn, Bakers Point and Badger Head are well set up for picnics, there is excellent fi shing offshore or in the estuary, and a section of Springlawn Beach is reserved for waterskiers from November to April. Bakers and Badger beaches offer safe swimming. A 26-kilometre horse trail can be accessed from Springlawn, but a permit is required. Horse Yards has camping for riders. Family camping is popular and bookings are essential. Firewood is provided, but generators cannot be used.

Fact file

Camping

Springlawn, Koybaa, Bakers Point, Horse Yards

Location

85 km north of Launceston via West Tamar Hwy and C721 (east end); or via West Tamar Hwy to Exeter, B71 to Frankford, then C740 (main entrance)

Park Information

• PWS 1300 135 513
• Narawntapu NP (03) 6428 6277
• PWS Prospect (03) 6336 5312

Size

4350 ha

Where to Stay

Beauty Point (03) 6394 4454 Greens Beach Caravan Park (03) 6383 9222


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• Campsites

Campsites

Bakers Point camping area

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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Horse Yards camping area

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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Koybaa camping area

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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Springlawn camping area

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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