Book Campgrounds Tasmania
The Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) and local councils manage campgrounds across the state through a combination of systems, moving gradually toward more digitised and structured management for high-demand areas. The overall approach for camping bookings in Tasmania centers on a few key pillars:
1. The Overland Track Queue & Randomized Waiting Room
For the most famous multi-day hike and campground route in the state—the Overland Track—a structured randomized online waiting room system is used.
To manage the massive surge of traffic when seasonal bookings open, users join a digital waiting room.
Once the booking window officially opens, everyone in the waiting room is randomized and placed into a fair queue to secure one of the strictly limited 34 daily slots.
2. High-Demand National Park Campgrounds
For popular multi-day camping areas like Fortescue Bay (in the Tasman National Park), PWS uses a staggered online enquiry and booking calendar that rolls out six months in advance.
Peak season (October through April) requires formal booking requests submitted through the official portal.
Off-season (May through September) transitions back to a traditional first-in, first-served layout.
3. Remote Area “Overnight Walker Registration”
To protect Tasmania’s most remote and environmentally sensitive areas from overcrowding and environmental degradation, an Overnight Bushwalker Registration System requires hikers to log their intents digitally before setting up remote bush camps.
4. General Parks Campsites (Self-Registration)
For standard drive-in campgrounds across the state that don’t fall under high-demand zones, Tasmania largely relies on a camper self-registration / honesty system.
These operate on a first-come, first-served basis where you fill out a slip and pay via cash or automated “Pay and Display” EFTPOS machines at the campground entrance.
While you cannot reserve these online in advance, PWS rangers regularly monitor the sites to check for proof of payment and ensure compliance with local rules.
Are you looking to book a specific national park campsite, or trying to navigate the booking system for an overnight multi-day hike?
In general, the only campsites that can be booked in Tasmania are those operated commercially either in caravan parks or by private operators. However, some campgrounds operated by the Tasmanian National Parks & Wildlife Service can be booked either online or via telephone. Check out their website for more details – National Parks & Wildlife Tasmania Many campsites operated by National Parks Tasmania offer a camper self-registration system – essentially an honesty system. However, it is important to note that campgrounds are monitored by rangers who check that camping fees have been paid. Generally, camping fees are very reasonable, so please make sure that fees are always paid and that you strictly follow all local camping rules.
Click below to contact us if you are unsure about campsite bookings, camping costs or if you have any questions about Camping Tasmania.
