Explore Australia

Dutch Windmill The windmill was presented to the town during Australia's bicentenary to commemorate the Dutch explorers and settlers. There is also a colourful tulip display in spring and play equipment on-site. Hiscutt Park, off Crescent St.Penguins: each evening penguins come ashore; check with visitor centre for tour details; Sept–Mar. Johnsons Beach Reef: popular walking spot at low tide when reef is exposed. Penguin Roadside Gardens: originally a labour of love for 2 town residents, now a flourishing garden beside the road; Old Coast Rd to Ulverstone. Chocolate Lovers: quality European and Australian chocolates of all varieties; 100 Main Rd.

Dial Range Walks Excellent tracks include the walk up Mt Montgomery (5 km S) with magnificent views from the summit, and Ferndene Gorge (6 km S). The Ferndene Bush Walk takes in an old silver-mine shaft, Thorsby's Tunnel. Brochures on walks from visitor centre highlight more trails.

Penguin Cradle Trail This 80 km trail heads inland from the coast to the world-famous Cradle Mountain. Sections of the walk vary in difficulty. It takes 6 days to complete, but access roads mean that sections can be done as day or overnight trips.Pioneer Park: beautiful gardens with picnic facilities and walks; Riana; 10 km SW. Scenic drive: along coast to Ulverstone.

Little Pine Lagoon 108 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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Great Lake 109 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 118 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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Lake River 120 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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Bronte System 125 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 186 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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Salmon Ponds 197 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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Flinders Island 209 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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The Springs 223 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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Twin Lakes 226 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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Giant crayfish research, near Ulverstone 11 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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Creative Paper, Burnie 15 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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Gunns Plains Cave 18 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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Platypus Encounters, Latrobe 32 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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Trowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek 57 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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The Overland Track 59 km

Deservedly the most well-known, multiday walking route in Australia, this 65- to 80-kilometre route through Cradle Mountain– Lake St Clair National Park is a classic (for national park information, see park entry... Find out more

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Low Head Penguin Tours 62 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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Tarkine Trails 66 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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Tarkine Forest Adventures at Dismal Swamp 85 km

This is a strange mix of natural history, art installations, public relations for Forestry Tasmania and a wild and riotous 110-metre slide. The experience is set in the only known sinkhole in the world with a thriving... Find out more

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Tamar Island 96 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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Barnbougle Dunes Links 115 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) 117 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 224 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 227 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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The Groovy Penguin Cafe

The Groovy Penguin isn’t open for dinner, unfortunately, but it’s a great waterfront spot to enjoy breakfast or a light lunch, or to sit with the newspaper and a mid-morning cappuccino. The decor is... Find out more

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Neptune Grand Bistro

This friendly pub serves a good range of meals, with a strong focus on fresh Tasmanian seafood. Its beachside location is a perfect match for those fish dishes but the Neptune Grand Bistro has another specialty –... Find out more

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Wild

Although Penguin is a sleepy seaside village, the vibe at this sophisticated eatery is all about big city style. With a growing reputation for brilliance and creativity, Wild attracts gourmet food lovers from far and... Find out more

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Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe 184 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) 96 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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Two Metre Tall Company 194 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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Iron House Brewery 194 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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Moo Brew 213 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 222 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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Riana Pioneer Park camping ground 13 km

Set among farmland and forested hills 15 km from Penguin, the tiny settlement of Riana is picture-postcard pretty. Its quiet little campground is on the left-hand side of the main road (Pine Rd B17), just past the... Find out more

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Lake Barrington West 32 km

Lake Barrington is famous for its world-class rowing course, and while there are big crowds here for rowing championships, the rest of the time there’s peaceful camping, all-year angling and beautiful scenery.... Find out more

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Kentish Park camping area 32 km

This informal camping area on the eastern shore of beautiful Lake Barrington is 6 km from West Kentish. Busy when there are rowing events at the lake, at other times it’s a peaceful campground amid pretty scenery.... Find out more

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Port Sorell Lions Club Caravan Park 41 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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O’Neills Creek Reserve camping area 41 km

Next to the creek and rodeo ground, this pretty forest reserve has places for vans on short-term stays of 1 or 2 nights (2 night maximum), making it a perfect overnight stop on your way to Cradle Mountain–Lake St... Find out more

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Lake Gairdner camping area 41 km

On the banks of this hydro lake there is a free camping area with no facilities, so if the campground at Cradle Mountain is full (as it often is) this may be a good alternative, providing you are completely... Find out more

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Koybaa camping area 42 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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Bakers Point camping area 42 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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Springlawn camping area 45 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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Horse Yards camping area 45 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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Penguin Beachside Holiday Resort 1 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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BIG4 Ulverstone Holiday Park 10 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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Wings Wildlife Park 17 km

Staying here is a different experience. There is trout fishing, bushwalking, kayaking, golf, and more. The park has good facilities including powered sites, but we would opt for the unpowered riverfront camping area. The... Find out more

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Abel Tasman Caravan Park 26 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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Bay View Holiday Village 27 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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Beach Retreat Tourist Park 31 km

Located at the mouth of the Inglis River and on the beachfront, this park is within walking distance of the town centre. It has good facilities and is ideal for an overnight stay or a few days. Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Port Sorell Lions Caravan Park 41 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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Discovery Holiday Parks – Cradle Mountain 53 km

Set in bushland just outside the World Heritage-listed Tasmanian wilderness area, this quality park has good facilities including a large recreation building with open fireplaces. It is a popular camping site for walkers... Find out more

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BIG4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park 60 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 62 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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The Madsen

This lovely old building is a classic boutique hotel. On Penguin’s picturesque main street, The Madsen has panoramic views of Bass Strait and the pine-tree-lined beachside promenade just a few metres from the front... Find out more

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Mountain Valley, Loongana 34 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 55 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 59 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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Curringa Farm 171 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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Rainbow Retreat 187 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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Peppermint Ridge Retreat, Woodbridge 247 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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Somerset Park Area 21 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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Wynyard Park Area 31 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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Hellyer Gorge Rest Area 42 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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Parramatta Creek Rest Area 45 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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Sisters Beach Rest Area 48 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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Fossey River Rest Area 53 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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Brickmakers Beach 66 km

40 km W of Wynyard (R) or 27 km E of Smithton (L) Large grassed area adjacent to the highway on the foreshore. Limited shade. GPS: S40 51.121 E145 21.905... Find out more

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Pegs Beach Camp Area 67 km

42 km W of Wynyard (R) or 25 km E of Smithton (L) Large open grassy campground adjacent to the highway on the foreshore. Limited shade. GPS: S40 51.111 E145 21.153... Find out more

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Black River Camp Area 70 km

T/O 44 km W of Wynyard (R) or 23 km E of Smithton (L) Very large area with numerous secluded campsites located 1 to 5 kilometres off the highway in the scrub near the river. Limited facilities and shade. NOTE: Access... Find out more

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Tullabardine Dam Rest Area 72 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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Tullah Park Area 79 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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Rosebery Park Area 86 km

South side of town Large parking adjacent to the highway on the banks of the river at Stitt Park. Good facilities. GPS: S41 46.968 E145 32.403  ... Find out more

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Perth Park Area 105 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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Little Pine Lagoon Camp Area 108 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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Myrtle Park Camp Area 111 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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Lake Burbury Camp Area 114 km

20 km E of Queenstown (L) or 65 km W of Derwent Bridge (R) Large open grassed campground located 1 kilometre west of the highway near the lake. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S42 05.789 E145 40.454... Find out more

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Sideling Lookout Park Area 115 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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Jonah Bay Camp Area 116 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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Prickly Wattles Camp Area 117 km

19 km S of Marrawah Large camp area just off the road in a natural bush setting 2 kilometres south of Arthur River township. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S41 03.572 E144 40.758  ... Find out more

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Pumphouse Bay Camp Area 118 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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Peppermint Camp Area 118 km

17 km S of Marrawah at Arthur River Open camp area just off the road into town on the north side of Arthur River township. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S41 02.923 E144 40.063  ... Find out more

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Lake Burbury Rest Area 119 km

T/O 15 km E of Queenstown (R) or 70 km W of Derwent Bridge (L) Small area located at the boat ramp 4 kilometres south of the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S42 08.35 E145 39.10... Find out more

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Green Point Camp Area 119 km

1 km NW of Marrawah via Green Point Road and Beach Road Very small camping area on the foreshore. NOTE: Access road part unsealed. GPS: S40 54.596 E144 40.783 ... Find out more

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Scottsdale Rest Area 122 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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Franklin River Park Area 122 km

60 km SE of Queenstown (R) or 25 km NW of Derwent Bridge (L) Very small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S42 12.931 E146 01.214... Find out more

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Bronte Lagoon Rest Area 124 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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Bradys Lake Camp Area 129 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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Lagoon of Islands Rest Area 132 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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Nive River Rest Area 135 km

44 km SE of Derwent Bridge (R) or 5 km N of Tarraleah (L) Small area adjacent to the highway on the riverbank. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S42 17.921 E146 27.511... Find out more

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Blackburn Creek Rest Area 137 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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