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11 May, 2016
Tasmania - a touring paradise
With its wide open roads, abundance of family-friendly holiday parks and campsites and its laid-back island lifestyle, Tasmania is perfect for touring with your caravan, campervan or motorhome. The beauty of travelling with your home-on-wheels is the sheer flexibility it affords you. You can simply go at your own pace; if there’s a spot you come across that takes your fancy (and trust us, it’ll happen—and more than once), simply pull over and spend an extra couple of nights there. Here are five of the RV-friendliest locations in Tassie.
Stanley & surrounds
The North West is tailor-made for vehicle touring—a patchwork of wild coastlines, charming towns and old-growth rainforests. Stanley is arguably the region’s darling, little more than a sprinkling of colourful cottages in the shadow of the iconic Nut. With plenty to see within easy reach—including Table Cape, historic Highfield House and the inimitable Tarkine, Stanley is the perfect spot from which to explore this pocket of nirvana.
Stanley at sunset (image: Tourism Tasmania & Andrew McIntosh, Ocean Photography)
Where to stay:
Award-winning Stanley Cabin & Tourist Park is conveniently located and offers powered caravan sites as well as cabins with modern amenities. It’s only steps away from the gently lapping waves on the foreshore, as well as old craft shops, cafes and restaurants.
Tasman Peninsula
The Tasman Peninsula is one of Tasmania's most intriguing destinations, replete with natural wonders and historical finds. There's no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had - from rock climbing, abseiling, horse riding, diving and kayaking. Or of course you can simply sit back, relax and take in the gorgeous scenery.
At the core of this region, and what is in fact the state's most popular tourist attraction, is Port Arthur Historic Site. Step back in time and see what life was like in a penal colony. Then, come nightfall - and if you're game - join a lantern-lit Ghost Tour of these haunted grounds.
Majestic Port Arthur
Where to stay:
BIG4 Port Arthur Holiday Park is the ideal base for exploring the legendary Tasman Peninsula. There are cabins, safari tents, caravan sites and bunkhouses that are perfect for groups or families.
Queenstown
Nestled in Queens Valley, Queenstown is an old mining town with many 19th-century buildings. Flanked by pink and grey coloured slopes, the town is picture-perfect and is the ideal stopover location when journeying through the wilderness of western Tasmania.
Touring Queenstown (image: Paul Fleming)
Where to stay:
For a chance to stay deep in the wilderness, Queenstown Cabin and Tourist Park offers cabins suitable for two to six people. A kitchen, laundromat and campsite are all available for those staying at the cabins. There’s also Lake Burbury Camping Ground, twenty minutes out of Queenstown, where you can fish, kayak and canoe out on the pristine water before spending a magical night beneath the stars.
Tamar Valley
While Launceston is certainly the commercial and cultural centre of the north, there is plenty on offer for those willing to venture beyond its city limits. Gorgeous country lanes lined with ancient poplar and elm trees lead visitors to the fertile farmland of the Tamar Valley where you can discover historic hamlets, lavender plantations, vineyards, strawberry farms and orchards.
The Tamar Valley Wine Route
Where to stay:
Big4 Kelso Sands Holiday and Native Wildlife Park is located 40 minutes outside of Launceston (and a 45 minute drive from Spirit of Tasmania’s terminal in Devonport). The park lays claim to, of all things, the largest jumping pillow in Tasmania. There’s also a soccer and volleyball field, and plenty of beautiful surrounding natural parkland to explore.
East Coast
Along the Great Eastern Drive there is a plethora of great seaside camping spots. With beautiful sunny weather, freshly caught seafood dishes and locally grown fine wines, you’d be silly not to spend as much time as you can here. If you’re looking for a relaxing Tassie getaway, far from the hustle and bustle of things, then this is where you need to be. Bring the rods, camping gear and binoculars—for there is a wealth of sea and birdlife here you simply won’t want to miss!
Looking across the Bay of Fires (image: Andrew McIntosh, Ocean Photography)
Where to stay:
Frequently voted the best park in Tasmania, BIG4 St Helens Holiday Park enjoys an enviable location, a stone’s throw from the world-renowned Bay of Fires. And that’s not all that’s worth checking out—St Columbus Falls, Binalong Bay and Friendlies Beach (great for surfing!) are all at your fingertips. As for the park itself, it has all your camping and caravan needs covered, leaving you to focus on the sea, the sun and the serenity.
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