Looking for campsite ideas.

[dcwalker]

Hi all

Long time reader, first time poster.

I'm looking for ideas for family camping sites within easy reach of Launceston. I'd especially like to find a site where we can take the dog, pitch the tent right next to an actual river, light an actual fire and not be bothered by kids on motorbikes (anybody been to Griffin Park at Mathinna during school holidays....!?)

We do our share of serious bushwalking and love our National Parks as much as the next guys but every now and then we just want to spend a night or two nearer home and do an easy family camp not far from the car. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Damien

[ollster]

I'm looking for ideas for family camping sites within easy reach of Launceston. I'd especially like to find a site where we can take the dog, pitch the tent right next to an actual river, light an actual fire and not be bothered by kids on motorbikes

I'd suggest totally avoiding the NE then...

[ILUVSWTAS]

Hi all
not be bothered by kids on motorbikes (anybody been to Griffin Park at Mathinna during school holidays....!?)



Damien

Yes, they had shotguns too

[ollster]

Yes, they had shotguns too

Rifles, I believe. But it was still pretty "exhilarating" at midnight.

[ILUVSWTAS]

A guns a gun to me.

Mind you I was so drunk I slept through all the fun.


But anyway back on topic, no im not sure such a place exists. In my experience accessable campsites where you can have a fire is always occupied by bogans

[Drifting]

I'd try caravan parks. That's where we end up seeking shelter in the boganlands.

Narwantapu NP has everything you desire though.

[kramster]

I've heard Lagoon Beach (Chain of Lagoons) is ok also - am thinking of trying it out next week.
Mt William NP has plenty of options too (except without the fire option).

[katief]

Friendly Beaches on the east coast, my elderly parent camp there all the time with no issues ever. As a piont of interest, there are also some great bush walks down there....

[Biggles]

The banks of the Esk River are for me a good spot / base for sorties to the photogenic (and *&%$#! cold) Mathinna Falls, but this area I think at the moment is under rising water. You'll come across all types in major holiday periods so planning for a break in February might be worth considering. I have a very strong aversion to people wandering around the bush blasting shotguns or letting off crossbows. Not that a deaf person like me will be troubled by the former, but the latter is quite a chilling sight when people aim the *&%$#! things straight in one's direction, as happened to me at Eddystone Point in 2005.

[matthias]

I'd especially like to find a site where we can take the dog...

This rules out any National Parks then. I know a lot of people don't care, but in the interest of other campers, please do.

From http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=494

As is true of most national parks across Australia and the world, dogs and other pets are not allowed into Tasmania's national parks and conservation reserves, not even on a lead or within your car.

However the page also lists quite a few campsites where dogs are allowed:

South-east
Lagoons Beach Coastal Reserve Camping Area - North of Chain of lagoons, east of St Marys
Mayfield Bay Coastal Reserve - 15 km south of Swansea
Lake Leake Camping Area - Lake Leake
Little Beach Coastal Reserve - East of St Marys
Little Swanport River Reserve - Small site on Little Swanport River
Moulting Lagoon Game Reserve – River & Rocks Camping Area - Access via Coles Bay Road
Nine Mile Beach Coastal Reserve - 2 km north of Swansea via Dolphin Sands Rd
Oatlands Overnight Bay - Oatlands

South
Arve Forest Drive
Cygnet Caravan Park - Mary Street Cygnet
Hastings Forest Drive Picnic Area

North-east
North East Park Campground - Scottsdale
Myrtle Park recreation Ground - 30 km South of Scottsdale
Scamander Forest Reserve - 13.5 km west of Beaumaris
Ringarooma Coastal Reserve - 20km NE of Gladstone
Saddleback Plantation - 8–10 km west of Mathinna
Gladstone Hall Camping Area - Gladstone
Cascade State Reserve - Derby
Bellingham Coastal reserve - 27 km west of Bridport
Waterhouse Conservation Area - 8 separate areas, 25 km east of Bridport
Weldborough Hotel Camping Area - Weldborough

[frenchy_84]

there are camping opps on the mersey just upstream from latrobe. but as its the NW bogans will be guaranteed. And on the topic of bogans ruining camping experiences, we camped a night at teds beach a week ago and were lucky enough to share the campsite with approx 10 bikie bogans, who played acca dacca all night and set off fire works every 20 mins from 8pm through to 1pm which was nice to see in a national park so close to tents.

[flyfisher]

The Myrtle park campground on the road to Scottsdale would fit the bill perfectly as it's a controlled area with heaps of space and the St. Patricks river running right around the boundary. There are toilets, showers, kiosk and other facilities, and may suit you.

Neast park at Scottsdale is also a lovely spot. Free and with some facilities.

FF

[dcwalker]

Hi again

What a tough assignment this has turned out to be! Thanks everyone for your ideas.

I was thinking of hidden corners along our waterways - maybe on the St Pats, Pipers, or North Esk - that aren't specifically equipped with camping facilities. I'm sure, with all our rivers and streams, there must be stacks of little known spots just waiting to be shared. As many waterways have public reserves along their length I assume access shouldn't be a problem, rather the challenge is finding spots within walking distance from roadsides that don't cross too much private land.

Not asking for much am I ?!

I remember camping somewhere near Roses Tier when I was a kid. We would park at the side of the road, cross a small paddock and set up the tent under a tree on a sandy corner in the river. It's been so long since I was there I now have no idea how to find it but surely the combined experience of the readers of this fine forum can put together a few ideas for similar spots......

I like frenchy_84's idea about the Mersey. I bet there are some good spots where the river runs past Long Hill forest reserve. I might check that out tomorrow.

So guys, any other ideas? I'm off to browse the Inland Fisheries website to see what I can find there.

[gorby]

huntsman hideaway (Apex hut ) near the start of the meander falls walk.........you wont even need a tent.

not sure what condition it is in these days or who you contact for use.

[flyfisher]

Corkery's road will put you onto a nice spot on the St Pats with free camping away from crowds and alongside river, and upper reaches of South Esk have river reserves on both sides for most of the way.
ff

[greyim]

Forestry Tasmania recreational areas generally ok for dogs?

[Liamy77]

watch for baited forestry areas!

for those down south...." Gilham Beach" camp ground is nice....
liam and amy gilham + kids... aka Liamy77