Richardsons Beach Campground

Richardsons Beach Campground – Freycinet National Park

Set beside the beautiful waters of Great Oyster Bay in Freycinet National Park, Richardsons Beach Campground is one of Tasmania’s most popular national park camping destinations. Its location immediately beside the beach and next to the Freycinet Visitor Centre makes it an excellent base for exploring Wineglass Bay, Honeymoon Bay, Cape Tourville and the many walking tracks of the Freycinet Peninsula. Richardsons Beach offers both powered vehicle-based campsites and unpowered tent sites. Facilities are considerably better than at many Parks and Wildlife Service campgrounds, with potable water, toilets and showers available nearby.

See also:

• Bushwalks Freycinet National Park

💰 Richardsons Beach Camping Fees

New camping fees apply at Richardsons Beach from 1 November 2026. The new pricing is charged per campsite rather than using the previous per-person structure.

Until 31 October 2026, the minimum fee for two people is $13 for an unpowered site and $16 for a powered site. From 1 November, these become $24 and $35 per site respectively. The change represents a significant increase for solo travellers and couples, although the new flat-rate structure may provide better value for families and larger groups because up to six people can occupy a site for the same basic site fee.

See also:

• Hiking Freycinet

📅 How to Book Richardsons Beach Campground

Freycinet National Park is included in the first stage of Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service’s new Parks Online Booking System, with the new system beginning its rollout from 3 November 2026. Parks and Wildlife Service advises campers to check its website for the latest booking arrangements as the new system goes live.

Current booking arrangements

• Outside peak ballot periods, campsites can be pre-booked through the Freycinet Visitor Centre.
• Full payment is required when booking.
• A special ballot operates for the busy summer holiday period and Easter.
• The summer ballot covers camping from 18 December to 10 February.
• Only one ballot entry per family or group is permitted for Christmas and another may be entered for Easter.
• During the summer and Easter ballot periods, the maximum stay is 10 nights.
• Outside these peak periods, the maximum stay is generally 14 nights.

🚐 Powered RV Sites

Richardsons Beach has 18 hardened vehicle-based campsites, numbered 1–18. These sites are designed to protect the fragile coastal environment while accommodating smaller recreational vehicles.

Powered sites are suitable for:

• Small caravans
• Camper trailers
• Campervans
• Vehicles with rooftop tents

Parks and Wildlife Service advises that caravans and campervans should be no longer than approximately
18 feet (around 6 metres).

Powered site facilities include:

• Power
• Potable drinking water
• Grey water disposal
• Access to toilets
• Access to an amenities block
• Hot showers operated by $2 coins
• Easy access to Richardsons Beach

⛺ Unpowered Tent Sites

The unpowered campsites are located among the sand dunes immediately behind Richardsons Beach. These are campsites 19–45 and are designed specifically for tents.

Each tent campsite provides:

• Space for a tent
• Parking for one vehicle
• A shared walking track to Richardsons Beach
• Access to potable water
• Flushing toilets nearby
• Cold showers

The sites are set among sensitive foredune vegetation, so campers should remain within the marked campsites and established access tracks. Availability of the sand-dune tent sites may be limited during winter.

🚻 Facilities at Richardsons Beach

Richardsons Beach offers a better range of facilities than many basic national park campgrounds.

Facilities include:

• Powered campsites
• Unpowered tent campsites
• Accessible toilets
• Flushing toilets
• Potable drinking water
• Cold showers
• Coin-operated hot showers near the powered sites
• Grey water disposal for RV sites
• Recycling and rubbish bins near the powered sites
• Nearby picnic facilities
• Nearby electric barbecues
• Direct beach access
• Freycinet Visitor Centre nearby

Facilities NOT available:

• No laundry facilities
• No black-water dump point
• No campfires

🐕 Are Dogs or Other Pets Allowed?

No. Richardsons Beach Campground is within Freycinet National Park and domestic pets are not permitted. Dogs and other domestic animals are generally prohibited within Tasmania’s national parks to protect native wildlife and the natural environment. Accredited assistance animals are subject to separate provisions.

🔥 Can You Have a Campfire?

No. Freycinet National Park is a Fuel Stove Only Area because of its dry environment and vulnerability to bushfire.

• Campfires are prohibited.
• Wood fires are not permitted.
• Gas and fuel stoves can normally be used.
• During a Total Fire Ban, no naked flames are permitted, including gas and fuel stoves.
• Electric barbecues at nearby designated picnic areas may be available for cooking.

🚗 Directions to Richardsons Beach Campground

Richardsons Beach Campground is located beside the Freycinet Visitor Centre at the
main entrance to Freycinet National Park.

From the Tasman Highway:

1. Travel along the Tasman Highway (A3).
2. Turn onto Coles Bay Road (C302), approximately 12 km south of Bicheno.
3. Follow Coles Bay Road for approximately 28 km.
4. Continue through the township of Coles Bay.
5. Follow the sealed road towards the main entrance to Freycinet National Park.
6. Richardsons Beach Campground is adjacent to the Freycinet Visitor Centre.

Freycinet National Park is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours by road from either Hobart or
Launceston.

🏖 What Is Richardsons Beach Like?

Richardsons Beach is one of those campgrounds where the location is difficult to beat. Campsites sit just behind the beach, with easy access to the calm waters of Great Oyster Bay and views towards the surrounding granite mountains.

Popular activities include:

• Swimming
• Kayaking
• Snorkelling
• Fishing
• Beach walking
• Wildlife watching
• Visiting Honeymoon Bay
• Walking to Wineglass Bay Lookout
• Exploring Cape Tourville
• Walking the Freycinet Peninsula tracks

The campground’s proximity to the visitor centre and walking tracks makes it particularly convenient
for visitors planning several days exploring Freycinet National Park.

✔ Before You Go

• Check the latest booking arrangements before travelling.
• Book well ahead during popular periods.
• Carry a valid Tasmania Parks Pass.
• Remember that campfires are prohibited.
• Bring $2 coins if you want to use the hot showers.
• Don’t bring pets.
• Check the size restrictions if travelling with a caravan or large campervan.
• Use marked tracks through the sensitive sand-dune vegetation.
• Secure food because possums and other wildlife may investigate unattended supplies.