National park · Australia
Mount William National Park
Go for the beaches and the Forester kangaroos, not for a mountain: drive the C843/C846 from St Helens, walk the Bay of Fires sand at The Gardens, and camp at Stumpys Bay or Cobler Rocks; day entry is free, camping is paid.
- 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
184 km² (71 sq mi)71 sq mi (184 km²)
approximate
Established
1973
Best months
Oct–Nov, Jan–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
- 184 km² (71 sq mi)71 sq mi (184 km²)
- Roughly 180 km² of coast, heath and woodland between Ansons Bay and Eddystone Point (check).
- Established
- 1973
- Best months
- Oct–Nov, Jan–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount William is the quiet northern end of the Bay of Fires coast: white sand, orange lichen on granite, heath and open woodland, with no town inside it. It was declared in 1973 mainly to protect the Forester kangaroo, and it still delivers on that — kangaroos, wombats and wallabies are common around the campgrounds at dawn and dusk. There is no summit walk and no visitor centre; the park is a camping and beach park reached by one sealed road from St Helens. Entry is free for day visitors; you pay only if you camp.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1973.
Size and age
184 km² (71 sq mi)71 sq mi (184 km²) · national park since 1973
Roughly 180 km² of coast, heath and woodland between Ansons Bay and Eddystone Point (check).
Why go
- The northern Bay of Fires beaches without the crowds of Binalong Bay and The Gardens car park.
- Forester kangaroos, wombats and wallabies around the campgrounds, easiest at dawn and dusk.
- Eddystone Point lighthouse at the far north end, reached by a rough but driveable road.
- Camping a few steps from the sand at Stumpys Bay and Cobler Rocks, with almost no light pollution.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanWarm, long days; book campsites early
- FebWarm and settled; best beach swimming
- MarMild; fewer campers
- AprCool nights; clear walking weather
- MayQuiet; rain returns
- JunCold, wet, short days
- JulColdest month; roads can flood
- AugCold and windy; wildlife still active
- SepWildflowers start; showers
- OctSpring flowers and mild days
- NovDry spells; good camping
- DecWarm but busy in the school holidays
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forester kangaroosAll year · The species the park was created for; most visible at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wombats and wallabiesAll year · Common around campgrounds; drive slowly on the access road after dark. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tasmanian devilAll year · Present but nocturnal and rarely seen; do not expect a sighting. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Spring wildflowers in the heathSep–Nov · Grass trees and heath species flower after winter rain. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
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 St Helens
C843 Ansons Bay Road, then C846 to the park entrances; sealed the whole way, watch for wildlife on dusk.
45–60 min
From Launceston
A3 to St Helens, then the C843/C846; fuel and food in St Helens before you turn off.
2.5–3 h
From Binalong Bay and The Gardens
Back road north through Ansons Bay, or the longer coast road; the two ends of the Bay of Fires are not connected along the beach.
1–1.5 h
From Hobart
A3 via Campbell Town and St Helens; a long day, so sleep in St Helens first.
3.5–4 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Stumpys Bay | Campgrounds and beach access in the middle of the park, the usual base. | Open; camping fee applies. |
| Cobler Rocks | Small campground and rocky shore north of Stumpys Bay. | Open; camping fee applies. |
| The Gardens and the northern beaches | Long white-sand beach and lichen-covered granite at the southern approach. | Open; day use free. |
| Eddystone Point | Lighthouse and the far north end of the park. | Open; the last stretch is unsealed and rough after rain. |
Sketch map
- 1St Helens park office · Town≈-41.320, 148.290Eagle Street, St Helens; approximate.Map ↗
- 2The Gardens · Beach≈-41.170, 148.280Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Stumpys Bay campground · Sleep≈-40.950, 148.250Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Cobler Rocks campground · Sleep≈-40.900, 148.280Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Eddystone Point lighthouse · Viewpoint≈-40.993, 148.347Approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 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 along the park coast, for orientation only; the park has no single entrance gate.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day entry to the park | Free | person | No entry fee for day visitors; you pay only for camping (check). |
| Camping, two adults per night | AUD 13 (≈ US$9) | site | 2026 estimate; unpowered site, bring your own water. |
| Camping, each extra adult per night | AUD 5 (≈ US$4) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Camping, each child aged 5–17 per night | AUD 2.5 (≈ US$2) | person | 2026 estimate; under-fives free. |
| Tasmanian national park pass | AUD 45–90 (≈ US$30–60) | vehicle | Holiday and annual passes cover parks that charge entry; Mount William day use does not need one (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Camping permit or guide
Day visit no permit
Drone flight permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- A$13≈ US$9
- A$5≈ US$4
- A$2.50≈ US$2
- A$45–90≈ US$30–60
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service — Mount William National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in the signed campgrounds, and only with a booking; no camping on the beach or in the dunes.
- Fires
- Campfires are restricted and often banned in summer; use a fuel stove and check current fire restrictions (check).
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or approach kangaroos, wombats or devils; keep food sealed and store it in your vehicle.
- Dogs and pets
- Not allowed in the national park; leave them in St Helens.
- Water
- There is no drinking water in the park; bring all you need and carry out rubbish.
Where to stay
In the park
Stumpys Bay campgrounds
Basic unpowered sites behind the dunes; book ahead in summer.
In the park
Cobler Rocks campground
Smaller, quieter sites on the rocky shore.
Near the park
St Helens
Motels, holiday parks and the park office on Eagle Street, 45–60 min away.
Safety
Wildlife on the road at dusk high
Surf and rips on the open beaches medium
Heat and no shade medium
Bushfire 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
- The main beach car parks and the Stumpys Bay day area are reached by sealed road with short, firm paths.
- Beach and dune walking is soft sand; wheelchair access onto the sand is limited.
- No accessible toilets or showers in the park; the nearest facilities are in St Helens.
Visiting lightly
- Book and pay for camping so the fees fund track and toilet maintenance.
- Take all rubbish out; there are no bins in the campgrounds.
- Keep to the sand and existing tracks — the dunes and heath are fragile and slow to recover.
- Give wildlife space, especially at dawn when animals are feeding.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount William National Park?
Nothing for day visitors — there is no entry fee and no ticket gate. You pay only if you camp: about A$13 per night for two adults, A$5 for each extra adult and A$2.50 for each child aged 5–17, with under-fives free (2026 estimate). Book camping online before you arrive.
What are the best hikes in Mount William National Park?
There are no long summit trails. The best walks are the flat beach and rock-platform routes: north or south from Stumpys Bay campground, and the sand-and-granite stretch around The Gardens, both 1–4 hours. The short track at Eddystone Point lighthouse is the other easy option. Carry water — there is no shade and no tap.
When is the best time to visit Mount William National Park?
October to March for warm beach weather, with February usually the most settled. Spring (September–November) brings heath wildflowers and fewer campers. Winter is cold, wet and quiet, and access roads can flood; if you go then, plan around short daylight and check road conditions.
Can I see a Forester kangaroo?
Yes, most likely. The park was created in 1973 to protect the species, and kangaroos, wallabies and wombats graze around the campgrounds and access road at dawn and dusk. Tasmanian devils also live here but are nocturnal and rarely seen.
Do I need a park pass?
Not for a day visit to Mount William, which has no entry fee. If your Tasmania trip also includes parks that charge entry, such as Freycinet or Cradle Mountain, a holiday or annual pass can work out cheaper than paying at each gate (check current prices).
Is Mount William the same as the Bay of Fires?
It is the northern part of the same coastline. The Bay of Fires runs from Binalong Bay and The Gardens up past Mount William to Eddystone Point. The southern end has the car parks and cafes; Mount William has the campgrounds and far fewer people.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go