Bushwalk Australia

hey i was looking to get some of your suggestions together for family basecamping..... i have 2 kids under 6yo and am looking for short walks (just read about king billy falls for eg.) and campsites for shorter day trips and lazy slower paced camping and exploring. cheers in advance, Liam (Amy and the family)

Russell Falls area immediately comes to mind, tho not sure about camping there.
Don't know whether you can camp anywhere near the Liffey Falls top carpark but there is certainly plenty of space for camping at the bottom carpark, though when I came thru in September it was closed due to storm damage.
A number of campsites on the east coast near the beach. Hard to go wrong there. What's the name of that lagoon near the Elephant Pass turnoff somewhere? And the one on the north exit from Orford. Binnalong Bay, Ansons Bay. Now you're getting close to the Blue Tier and there are a lot of recognized walks up there, but I don't know about camping.
Just south from Arthur River is a definite. Areas like Sundowner Point...
And Corinna, might have to pay for camping I think, there's a walk out to white somethihng or rather, can't remember.
Check the 60 short walks list - will give you a good feel. Don't think there's any info on camping in that, but you can always ask, start building a short-list.
Benefit of 60 walks is they are recognosed and good tracks, unlike climbing over rocks on the east or west coast... While the kids might enjoy it, it might send you grey early... (if the Nullabor doesn't!)

Mt Field is always a winner too, camp at the bottom, drive up and explore the many peaks!!

Cockle creek is also popular, walking into South cape bay is a good one for the family!!

tasadam wrote: While the kids might enjoy it, it might send you grey early... (if the Nullabor doesn't!)

kids can do that eh adam?

yeah we stayed at some plush cabins opposite mt fields enterance a couple of years ago.... not really camping but great with a 2yo.... and still sleep deprived and not caught up yet!

and i loved south cape bay as a kid.... get some good windy storms down there too.

Cradle Mt National Park has cabins available behind Waldheim.
Not sure if you mean tenting?

There are some good walks around that area (without getting in car and driving).
I've stayed there on odd occasions and they are basic enough and if you don't like all mod cons then it can be fun for the kids.

Possums, Wombats, Wallaby, Quolls etc are common guests - can be fun or a plain nuisance depending on what they get up to.

i'm interested in any suggestions although i was thinking of tenting...

tasadam wrote:What's the name of that lagoon near the Elephant Pass turnoff somewhere?

Lagoons Beach Campground - about 5km north of the Elephant Pass turnoff at Chain of Lagoons
Went there a couple of weeks ago - quite nice camping in the trees behind the lagoon. Free camping too - which is a bonus.

Mt William, Coles Bay, Lk St Clair, Corinna and Edgar Dam on Lk Pedder aren't too bad for car-camping too

tasadam wrote:Now you're getting close to the Blue Tier and there are a lot of recognized walks up there, but I don't know about camping.

No "NO CAMPING" sign yet, at least not 6 weeks ago. It's got much more ?? civilized than when we used to camp there - car park and pit toilet, and mountain bikes now encouraged on walking tracks. Didn't see a bike during 2 visits of several hours though.
It's a wonderful place, with beautiful vegetation. Kids would love the short Goblin Forest walk, and there are many more, with varied terraine. Just look out for old mine holes though.

Hi Liam - I reckon kramster's list is pretty good.

I'd add:

Lime Bay, Tasman Peninsula (lovely short walk across to Lagoon Beach ... a different one from kramster's)
Fergys Paddock at Lake St Clair (not quite car access, but close ... and lots of walks & wildlife)
Apsley River in Douglas-Apsley NP (near the Apsley Waterhole)
Jetty Beach in South Bruny NP (safe water, lots of lovely walks)

Happy camping!

cheers

Peter

thankyou.. some great advice cheers!