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.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

184 km²71 sq mi

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 km²71 sq mi; 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 km²71 sq mi · 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

12-month verdict

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

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Mount William National Park
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

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

Zones of Mount William National Park
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

Approximate — not for navigation

Approximate positions along the park coast, for orientation only; the park has no single entrance gate.

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 ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

BeachesEasy1–3 hBeach walk from Stumpys BayFlat sand north or south from the campground; no shade, so take water and sun cover.

TrailsEasy2–4 hThe Gardens to the northern beachesSand and rock platforms with the orange lichen the Bay of Fires is known for; check the tide before rounding headlands.

ViewpointsEasy1 hEddystone Point lighthouseDrive to the point and walk the short track; the lighthouse itself is not open for tours (check).

WildlifeEasy1 hWildlife spotting at dawnKangaroos and wombats graze around the campgrounds and the access road in the first hour of light.

BeachesModerateHalf dayFishing the surf beachesPopular with locals; you need a Tasmanian recreational fishing licence and must watch the swell.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

AUD ranges · check

Fees for Mount William National Park
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	site	2026 estimate; unpowered site, bring your own water.
Camping, each extra adult per night	AUD 5	person	2026 estimate.
Camping, each child aged 5–17 per night	AUD 2.5	person	2026 estimate; under-fives free.
Tasmanian national park pass	AUD 45–90	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

Book online through the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service before you drive in; there is no gate to pay at.

Day visit no permit

No permit or ticket; park at the signed beach and campground car parks.

Drone flight permit or guide

Not allowed without written permission from the parks service (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

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

Drive slowly on the C843/C846 after sunset; kangaroos and wombats cross without warning.

Surf and rips on the open beaches medium

No lifeguards; swim only in calm, shallow water and never alone.

Heat and no shade medium

Carry water on beach walks; there is no shop or tap inside the park.

Bushfire medium

In summer check the Tasmania Fire Service warnings and park closures before driving in.

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