[kmcgreg]

We are a family of four looking to camp for 4 days - car camping would be best - we are going this Friday 8th. We were thinking of going to wither the Bay of Fires area or Lake Pedder or perhaps Narawntapu (Asbestos Range) National Park.


Kids are 11 and 12 years. I am a bit of a photography buff.
Any thoughts? Advice?

We live in Hobart. Also are there any nice camp spots you can take a dog?

Cheers

Kevin

[Shane V]

Hi Kevin.
All the areas are great for photography, and there is allowance for dogs at The Bay of Fires, but not the other 2, they are national parks. There are lots of camping grounds in the Bay that would accommodate a family, with beautiful vistas. In the same area is Chain of Lagoons Camp ground, just south of St Helens, another place that would have dogs.

You could also try the Cockle Creek area, before the bridge, there are quite a few camp sites along there too.

But please remember to keep your dog on a leash, when camping.

If I can think of any more places I'll put them here :-)

[Mystic]

Hi Kevin.

If you are taking your dog then Lake Pedder and Narawtapu are both out as they are within National Parks. You can find a lot of camping grounds on the Bay of Fires, especially down the St Helens end. I think there are two areas that come off the Binnalong Bay Rd, and another 5 or so you can find by turning into the Gardens Rd. Dogs are allowed in all of these, but must be on a leash.

One of my favourite spots in that area is Dora's Point. It is close to St Helens, offers plenty of walking trails, and some great photography.

[kmcgreg]

Thanks for the replies. What would be your pick without the dog. I am thinking of leaving her at home with a friend. How busy do you think things will be - I guess I am tossing up between the Bay of Fires area and lake Pedder. Are there good bush walks around both?
DORA's point sounds good.

[Mystic]

Lake Pedder has two campgrounds at the southern end. One at Scott's Peak Dam and the other at Edgar's Dam. The Scott's one is usually quite busy, and the Edgar's one can get busy, but is more likely to have space. Walks from this area tend to be of the longer variety.

At the northern end there is a place calls Ted's Beach (I think). Have not camped here, but am thinking of going there during winter. Ted's has an electric BBQ and no fires are permitted (southern end grounds allow fires and supply wood).

Dora's is large enough that you should be able to find a good spot there at most times of year and there are numerous short walks (up to about 5 hours) that start from there. (If Dora's is full there are plenty of other places within a couple of km of there.

If you go to Doras, check out the newsagency or tourist info centre in St Helens. You can pick up an informative booklet detailing walks around Humbug and Dora's Points quite cheaply. You can easily lose yourself just by walking along the beach and over the rocks from Dora's. Head north and wander for hours, you will come across lots of interesting scenes along the way. Also the walk at the end of St Helens Point Rd (around to beer barrel beach) is nice, taking in the end of the point (most easterly place in Tassie)

You are much more likely to get better weather around the Bay of Fires as well.

[kmcgreg]

Thank you so much. Dora's it is ! I will try lake Pedder later in the year. Its fanatstic having this site as there really is a lack of good camping info for tasmania any where else.

Cheers

Kevin

[Mystic]

Thanks for the kudos Kevin. Hope you enjoy your trip and come back and show us some of your shots