Explore Australia

Waratah Museum and Giftshop: displays early photographs and artefacts of the area and provides brochure for self-drive tour of town; Smith St. Waratah Waterfall: in the centre of town; Smith St. Philosopher Smith's Hut: replica of late-19th-century miner's hut; Smith St. St James Anglican Church: first church in Tasmania to be lit by hydro-power; Smith St. Lake Waratah: pleasant picnic and barbecue area with rhododendron garden and walks to Waratah Falls; English St.

Savage River National Park The rainforest here is the largest contiguous area of cool–temperate rainforest surviving in Australia. Excellent for self-sufficient bushwalking as well as fishing, 4WD and kayaking in the adjacent regional reserve. Contact Parks & Wildlife Service on 1300 135 513; access tracks lead off the main road out of Waratah; around 20 km W. Fishing: excellent trout fishing in rivers and lakes in the area, including Talbots Lagoon; 20 km E. Old mines: walks and drives to old mining sites; brochure from visitor centre.

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 113 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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Bronte System 115 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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Arthurs Lake 127 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 138 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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Salmon Ponds 188 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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The Springs 218 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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St Helens 229 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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Twin Lakes 232 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 Overland Track 41 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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Gunns Plains Cave 46 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 53 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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Hiking the Penguin to Cradle walk 58 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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Tarkine Trails 59 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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Giant crayfish research, near Ulverstone 63 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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Trowunna Wildlife Park, Mole Creek 74 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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Tarkine Forest Adventures at Dismal Swamp 75 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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Platypus Encounters, Latrobe 78 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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Beachcombing near Strahan 81 km

Wander the wilds of Ocean Beach on the west coast, its shores battered by waves and winds, and strewn with kelp. This is western Tasmania at its finest.... Find out more

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Barnbougle Dunes Links 167 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) 168 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 223 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 226 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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Purple Possum Wholefoods and Cafe 222 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) 134 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 185 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 209 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 217 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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Iron House Brewery 232 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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Waratah camping ground

Formerly the world’s leading tin mine, Waratah now welcomes tourists not miners, although there is still gold to be panned in nearby creeks. In the middle of town there’s a lake and waterfall, and the... Find out more

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Lake Mackintosh camping area 29 km

If you’re a self-sufficient camper and enjoy trout fishing and lovely scenery, this camping ground 6 km north of Tullah is ideal. Best suited to large rigs, there are few tent sites. Turn east off the Murchison Hwy... Find out more

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Cradle Mountain Campground 37 km

This is the only camping area at Cradle Mountain, so it gets busy in summer and bookings are essential. Sites are in bush alcoves 2 km outside the park (a Parks Pass is not needed). Most people are here to see the... Find out more

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Lake Gairdner camping area 44 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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Corinna Wilderness Experience Campground 44 km

Tiny Corinna – named for the Tasmanian tiger – lies on the southern edge of the vast heritage-listed Tarkine rainforest wilderness at the Pieman River crossing. Limited camping and riverside van sites are at... Find out more

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Scott-Kilvert Hut 45 km

This hut at Lake Rodway involves a side trip from the main Overland route. Access is via Cradle Cirque or Lake Dove walking tracks.... Find out more

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Waterfall Valley Hut 46 km

From the northern trailhead at Waldheim it is 10 km (allow 6 hrs) to this large hut.... Find out more

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Riana Pioneer Park camping ground 47 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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Windermere Hut 51 km

This rustic hut sleeps 16 and is 7.5 km (3 hrs) south of Waterfall Valley hut.... Find out more

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Julius River Forest camping area 53 km

On the northern edge of the huge Tarkine rainforest wilderness, the unsealed South Arthur Forest Dr C218 through Julius River, 50 km south of Smithton, is one of the few access points to this magnificent wild country. At... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks – Cradle Mountain 37 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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Rosebery Cabin and Tourist Park 37 km

This is a small park with basic facilities, but good for an overnight stop or longer stay. Cash only is accepted.... Find out more

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Wings Wildlife Park 47 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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Treasure Island Caravan Park 51 km

This park is in a lovely rural setting with lots of trees. Facilities will suit travellers passing through. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Beach Retreat Tourist Park 53 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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Penguin Beachside Holiday Resort 58 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 63 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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Crayfish Creek Van and Cabin Park and Spa TreeHouse 66 km

In a distinctive bushland setting, this park is tucked away on the banks of Crayfish Creek, a short way in from the coast. It is a popular park during holiday periods, when the weather is warmer for swimming and camping.... Find out more

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Queenstown Cabin and Tourist Park 72 km

This is a good basic park with a range of facilities. It is the only park in the immediate area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Abel Tasman Caravan Park 76 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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Bischoff Hotel

By the time the first hotel was built on this site, miners had not only discovered rich and rare minerals at Mount Bischoff, but it was also Australia’s richest mine. Today the mine is long gone but the lovely... Find out more

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Waratah’s O’Connor Hall Guest House and B&B

When the Waratah mine was at its peak, and wealth was flowing into the town, this ornate Victorian homestead was the home of the most important man in town – the mine manager. His status was reflected in the... Find out more

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Cradle Mountain Lodge 37 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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Mountain Valley, Loongana 37 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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Waldheim Cabins 40 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 162 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 225 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 236 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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Fossey River Rest Area 7 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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Hellyer Gorge Rest Area 20 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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Tullabardine Dam Rest Area 29 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 33 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 38 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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Somerset Park Area 52 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 53 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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Sisters Beach Rest Area 59 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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Brickmakers Beach 67 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 69 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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Lake Burbury Camp Area 73 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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Lake Burbury Rest Area 78 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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Prickly Wattles Camp Area 83 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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Parramatta Creek Rest Area 84 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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Peppermint Camp Area 85 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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Green Point Camp Area 93 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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Franklin River Park Area 95 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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Little Pine Lagoon Camp Area 109 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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Bronte Lagoon Rest Area 115 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 119 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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Nive River Rest Area 122 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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Pumphouse Bay Camp Area 126 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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Jonah Bay Camp Area 127 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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Perth Park Area 137 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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Lagoon of Islands Rest Area 138 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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Blackburn Creek Rest Area 140 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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Ouse Rest Area 152 km

East side of town Large grassed area adjacent to the highway at Grace Nicholson Apex Park. Limited shade and facilities. GPS: S42 29.125 E146 42.859... Find out more

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Myrtle Park Camp Area 154 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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Bethune Camp Area 157 km

T/O 7 km SE of Ouse (R) or 7 km NW of Hamilton (L) Large grassed area 2.3 kilometres south-west of the highway via Dawson Road. NOTE: Self-contained vehicles only. GPS: S42 32.135 E146 43.837... Find out more

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