National park · Australia
Narawntapu National Park
Give it a half day from Devonport: drive to the Mersey Field Centre, walk Archers Knob (2 h return) or the 30-minute bird hide, and go at dusk for the wildlife on Springlawn; skip it if you only have one Tasmania week and are already driving to Cradle Mountain.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
43 km² (17 sq mi)17 sq mi (43 km²)
approximate
Established
1976
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 43 km² (17 sq mi)17 sq mi (43 km²)
- Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision; roughly 40–45 km² (check).
- Established
- 1976
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Narawntapu is the coastal park on the Bass Strait side of northern Tasmania, about 40 minutes from Devonport and an hour from Launceston. It was called Asbestos Range National Park until 2000, when the name was changed to the Aboriginal name for the West Head and Badger Head promontories. The draw is not a summit but density: kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, wombats and Tasmanian devils graze the Springlawn flats in the hours around dusk, and the beaches and heath are empty most weekdays. It is a low-effort park — one hill, one long beach, four campgrounds — and it works best as a half day bolted onto a Devonport or Launceston stop rather than a destination of its own.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1976.
Size and age
43 km² (17 sq mi)17 sq mi (43 km²) · national park since 1976
Park area figures vary by source and boundary revision; roughly 40–45 km² (check).
Why go
- The highest marsupial density of any Tasmanian park: wombats, pademelons and Forester kangaroos on the Springlawn flats, best in the hour before dark.
- Archers Knob is on Tasmania's 60 Great Short Walks list — a 2-hour return climb to a lookout over Bakers Beach and the lagoon.
- Bakers Beach runs unbroken for several kilometres and is the longest beach in the park; sunsets face west over the water.
- It is a genuine national park 40 minutes from the Devonport ferry terminal, so it fits a Bass Strait arrival or departure day.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWarmest month, mean about 17°C (63°F); dry heath, long evenings for wildlifeWarmest month, mean about 63°F (17°C); dry heath, long evenings for wildlife
- FebWarm and settled; beaches at their best
- MarMild, fewer people, good walking
- AprCooling; rain starts to build
- MayWet and windy spells; quiet
- JunCold, wettest stretch; short days
- JulMean about 9°C (48°F); wind off the straitMean about 48°F (9°C); wind off the strait
- AugCold and wet; wildlife still active at dusk
- SepSpring growth; showers
- OctMild, longer days, wildflowers in the heath
- NovDry spells; best all-round walking
- DecWarm; school holidays bring campers
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester kangaroos, wallabies and pademelons on the Springlawn flatsAll year · Most active in the hour before sunset and just after dawn; keep 10 m back and never feed them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Common wombatsAll year · Often seen grazing the flats at dusk; give them space and do not block burrows. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tasmanian devilsAll year · Present in the park but rarely seen; dusk drives on Bakers Beach Road are the usual chance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wetland and heath birdsSep–Mar · Spring and summer at the bird hide; the park's salt marsh and lagoon are the draw. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Devonport
Bass Highway south, exit to B74 then B71 Frankford Road, left onto C740 Bakers Beach Road for about 4 km (2.5 mi) to the field centre.Bass Highway south, exit to B74 then B71 Frankford Road, left onto C740 Bakers Beach Road for about 2.5 mi (4 km) to the field centre.
40–50 min
Open the page →
From Launceston
Bass Highway west, exit to B72 to the B71 junction, left and on to C740, then right for about 4 km (2.5 mi).Bass Highway west, exit to B72 to the B71 junction, left and on to C740, then right for about 2.5 mi (4 km).
1–1.25 h
Open the page →
From Greens Beach
Short drive to the eastern end of the park and the Badger Beach lookout.
15 min
From Western Tasmania plan
Where the park fits in a west and northwest Tasmania loop.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mersey Field Centre and Springlawn | Park office, displays, picnic and barbecue area, toilets, and the lagoon flats where wildlife grazes at dusk. | Open; drive-in. |
| Bakers Beach and Bakers Point | The long west-facing beach and the campgrounds behind the dunes. | Open; walk or drive to the camping areas. |
| Archers Knob and the heath | The short summit walk through coastal heath and woodland to a lookout. | Open; walking only. |
| Asbestos Range and Point Vision | The inland hills and the park's highest ground on the 15 km (9.3 mi) Point Vision track.The inland hills and the park's highest ground on the 9.3 mi (15 km) Point Vision track. | Open; walking only, no facilities. |
| Badger Head and Greens Beach end | Eastern headland, lookout and the far end of the coastal traverse. | Open; road access from Greens Beach. |
Sketch map
- 1Mersey Field Centre · Headquarters≈-41.150, 146.605Park office, displays, picnic and barbecue area, toilets.Map ↗
- 2Springlawn Campsite · Sleep≈-41.148, 146.603Map ↗
- 3Bakers Beach · Beach≈-41.140, 146.607Map ↗
- 4Archers Knob · Viewpoint≈-41.145, 146.615Approximate; the summit above Bakers Beach.Map ↗
- 5Badger Beach lookout · Viewpoint≈-41.072, 146.712Eastern end of the park, reached from Greens Beach.Map ↗
- 6Devonport · Town≈-41.179, 146.352Approximate city centre; ferry terminal for Bass Strait.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for the field centre, campgrounds, beaches and lookouts, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per vehicle, up to 8 people) | Free | vehicle | No entry fee at Narawntapu; Tasmanian parks with fees are the ones with staffed entry stations (check current Tasmanian Parks pass rules). |
| Tasmanian national parks pass (holiday, per vehicle) | Free | vehicle | A pass is needed for parks that charge entry, such as Cradle Mountain; buy online or at a visitor centre. 2026 estimate — check the current price. |
| Springlawn campsite (powered, per night) | Free | site | Camping fees apply and are booked through the Tasmanian Parks booking system; check the current rate before you drive in. |
| Shower token at Springlawn | Free | token | Four-minute tokens bought at the field centre; water can run cold (check). |
| Horse riding permit | Free | permit | Required to bring a horse onto the two riding trails; apply through the parks website. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Camping permit or guide
Horse riding permit or guide
Park rules
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach animals; kangaroos and wombats on the flats are wild and can bite or kick if crowded.
- Camping
- Camp only in the four designated campgrounds; backcountry camping is not permitted anywhere else in the park.
- Fires
- Fires are allowed only at Bakers Point and The Horse Yards, and you must bring your own pre-cut firewood; no collecting wood in the park.
- Vehicles
- The only roads are those linking the field centre and the campgrounds; everything else is on foot.
- Dogs
- Not permitted in the park; leave them at your accommodation.
- Horses
- Only on the two permitted riding trails, with a permit; not on walking tracks or the main beach areas (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Springlawn Campsite
Powered sites for caravans, campervans and camper trailers, with toilets and showers; wheelchair friendly. Book ahead in summer.
In the park
Bakers Point
Unpowered sites for tents and caravans; fires allowed with your own firewood; toilets.
In the park
Kyobaa Campground
Unpowered, basic sites with hybrid toilets and picnic tables; caravans are not permitted.
In the park
The Horse Yards
Unpowered tent-only camping; fires allowed with your own firewood.
Near the park
Devonport
Hotels, motels and hostels 40–50 minutes away; the practical base if you are not camping.
Near the park
Beauty Point and Greens Beach
Smaller settlements on the east side of the park with holiday rentals and a shop.
Safety
Unpatrolled beaches medium
Wildlife on the road at dusk medium
Weather changes on the coast medium
Long coastal walks medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Springlawn Campsite is wheelchair friendly and has vehicle access, toilets and showers.
- The field centre, picnic area and toilets are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Archers Knob, Point Vision and the long coastal walks are rough and steep in places; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to the tracks on the heath and lagoon edges; the vegetation communities here include rare plants such as Pygmy Clubmoss.
- Do not feed wildlife or leave food at campsites — it changes animal behaviour and brings devils and birds into the camping areas.
- Take all rubbish out; campground bins are limited and wildlife raids them.
- Buy firewood before you arrive rather than collecting it in the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Narawntapu National Park?
There is no entry fee and no ticket gate at Narawntapu — you drive in on Bakers Beach Road to the Mersey Field Centre. You do pay for camping (booked online through Tasmanian Parks) and for a horse riding permit if you bring a horse. A Tasmanian parks pass is only needed for parks that charge entry, such as Cradle Mountain.
What are the best hikes in Narawntapu National Park?
For most visitors it is Archers Knob, a 2-hour return climb to a lookout over Bakers Beach and Springlawn Lagoon, and the flat 4.8 km Springlawn Nature Walk. The 30-minute bird hide walk suits anyone with binoculars. If you want a full day, the 23 km Copper Cove/Badger Head coastal walk and the 15 km Point Vision track are the long options, both without water or reliable phone signal.
When is the best time to visit Narawntapu National Park?
October to March gives the mildest, driest walking and the longest evenings for wildlife. January is the warmest month at a mean of about 17°C and July the coldest at about 9°C, with little variation through the year. Winter is wetter — roughly 750 mm of rain a year, mostly in winter — but the wildlife is still on the flats at dusk.
Can you camp in Narawntapu National Park?
Yes, but only at the four designated campgrounds: Springlawn (powered, caravans and campervans, showers), Bakers Point (unpowered, caravans allowed, fires allowed), Kyobaa (unpowered, no caravans) and The Horse Yards (unpowered, tents only, fires allowed). Book through the Tasmanian Parks camping system, especially in summer. Backcountry camping is not permitted.
How do you get to Narawntapu National Park?
From Devonport it is about 40–50 minutes: Bass Highway south, exit to B74, then B71 Frankford Road, then left onto C740 Bakers Beach Road for about 4 km. From Launceston it is about 1–1.25 hours via the Bass Highway west, B72 and the B71 junction. There is no public transport into the park, so you need a car.
Is Narawntapu good for seeing wildlife?
Yes — the park has a high density of marsupials, including Forester kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons, common wombats and Tasmanian devils. The Springlawn flats around dusk are the reliable spot. Keep at least 10 m away, never feed them, and drive slowly on Bakers Beach Road after sunset.
Can you swim at Bakers Beach?
The beach is unpatrolled with no lifeguards, the water is cold year-round, and surf and rips are unpredictable. Most visitors walk the beach rather than swim. If you do go in, stay shallow and never swim alone.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Narawntapu National Park
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Narawntapu camping
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Archers Knob walk
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Copper Cove/Badger Head walk
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Point Vision Track
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Bird Hide walk
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Springlawn Nature Walk
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Coastal Traverse
- officialTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Horse riding
- secondaryWikipedia — Narawntapu National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Narawntapu National Park, revision 4834049 (CC BY-SA 4.0)