Lake St. Clair car camping

[Orion]

Can anyone suggest anywhere to car-camp near Lake St. Clair? Is it difficult to find places in January?

Primitive camping is okay, we just need a place to sleep for a few nights.

[tazz]

Apart from the official camp area there is nowhere else camping can be done legally within the national park boundries.

[eggs]

See this link for a nearby campsite
Courtesy of our friends on the Real Tasmania website - who specialise in more civilised activities around Tas:

http://www.realtasmania.com/Lake-King-William-t311.html

[jose]

There is also good camping at the Navarre River. If travelling west it is about 6.7 km past Derwent Bridge, after crossing the Navarre River bridge turn left onto the gravel road about 50m on. Water from the river, campfire sites, plenty of grassy area but no other facilities.

[tasadam]

As well as the mentioned campsite at Lake St Clair, which by the way is good and you can buy tokens for their showers, there may be somewhere in Derwent Bridge. Not sure though. A vague recollection of something near the petrol station / cafe, but cannot remember.

[Orion]

Thank you for the helpful replies.

We would prefer to stay at Lake St. Clair but thought that it probably would not be possible to arrive without reservations in early January and obtain a campsite there. Are we wrong about this?

[tasadam]

Give them a call on 62891137 and they will be able to tell you whether you need a reservation.
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=412#lak

[tazz]

Thank you for the helpful replies.

We would prefer to stay at Lake St. Clair but thought that it probably would not be possible to arrive without reservations in early January and obtain a campsite there. Are we wrong about this?

May depend on the time of the day you arrive,If you arrive early you might be able to grab a good spot. I camped here after easter 2009 and managed ok.

[tasadam]

Give them a call on 62891137 and they will be able to tell you whether you need a reservation.
http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=412#lak

I just noticed in your profile you are in another country.
If you want me to ask them for you, let me know.

[Orion]

Adam, we can always call them when we get there. But if it's not too much trouble, that would be very nice of you.

[tasadam]

Just got off the phone with them, they say it is very advisable to book for times like January because they get very busy, yes it is possible to book in advance, and to confirm the booking they need to take payment details over the phone.
It depends on how many people you will have, also whether or not you require a powered campsite or just somewhere to pitch a tent beside the vehicle.
I think they said for a powered campsite for 2 people it's $25 a night, but not certain.

Let me know if I can help further, or their number (from overseas) is +61362891137.

Replace the + with whatever code you need to dial to make an overseas call, you probably know that.

[Orion]

Thanks for checking, Adam.

We're just two and all we really need is a spot of dirt to sleep. But we don't know the dates since we're planning on a long bushwalk just beforehand. But it makes me think it's at least worth checking with them before trying some of the other options.

Thanks again. I love your little island!

[rohjoe]

The possums at the Lake St Clair car camping area are renowned for their size and, for want of a better word, audacity. We camped there once in May and seemed to be the focus of attention of every possum for miles around. One of them unzipped the tent, hopped inside and made quite a mess. I was standing a short distance away at a campfire - hearing the zipper was quite surreal. Admittedly we were the only group there that night! I imagine they would be less noticable in January when it's busier. Overall it's a very pleasant place to camp.
Cheers,
Rohan