Campervan Hire Launceston

Camper Champ will help you compare multiple campervan hire brands in Launceston.

Daily rates for campervans in Launceston usually range from about $40 to $410. Prices are dependent on time of the year, length of reservation as well as camper type.

Campervan travel is popular in Tasmania. Excellent infrastructure like public dump points, water refill taps, and free campsites make motorhome exploration a breeze.

Other options for exploring Tassie include hiring a campervan from Hobart, or picking one up in Devonport.

The cheapest months for hiring a campervan in Launceston are typically during the off-peak season. In Tasmania, this usually falls during the autumn and winter months, from April to September. During this time, there are fewer tourists, and rental companies may offer lower rates to encourage bookings.

However, it's essential to keep in mind that Tasmania's weather can be quite cool and wet during this time, which may affect your travel plans. to get the best deal, it's a good idea to book in advance, compare prices across different rental companies, and be flexible with your travel dates if possible.

There are no campervan hire companies based within the terminal at Launceston Airport (LST). However, most depots are just a short drive away.

Several companies operate near Launceston Airport, and some offer a complimentary shuttle service with your hire. Usually, shuttles must be booked in advance.

A campervan can be a cost-effective way to explore Tasmania, and a savvy traveller can further reduce expenses through these money-saving tips.

• Avoid peak seasons: Christmas, New Year, Easter, and school holidays see hordes of mainlanders flock to Tasmania. Avoid these periods for lower hire rates.
• Book ahead: Reserving your camper early gives you access to the best deals.
• Shop around: Use Camper Champ to compare the top Launceston hire companies and find the best possible deal.
• Go small: A cosy, budget-friendly campervan costs much less to hire than a flashy, oversized motorhome.
• Stick to one region: Circumnavigating the entire state will consume stacks of fuel. Stick to north-east Tasmania to save.
• Shop around for fuel: The PetrolSpy app lets you compare fuel prices between every service station in Tasmania.
• Go back to Launceston: Returning your campervan to Launceston means you avoid pricey one-way drop-off fees.
• Look for extras: The best campervan hire companies include camping chairs and other perks, so you don’t have to purchase these separately.
• Cook: Self-catering will save you big bucks in Tasmania. Good thing you’ve got an onboard kitchen.
• Find free camps: Locate free camps near you—Tasmania has a wide range.
• Consider a park pass: A two-month National Park Holiday Pass often works out cheaper than single-entry tickets.
• Hike: Tasmania is a bushwalking mecca, and hiking won’t cost you a dime.

Australia’s most southerly state gets notoriously cold. With nothing separating Tassie from Antarctica, you can expect fickle weather and ferocious winds.

The exception is summer when balmy temperatures and abundant sunshine bless the island state. The most idyllic season runs between mid-December and mid-March, with average daily highs and lows of 22˚C and 13˚C in Hobart. Extended daylight (up to 15 hours per day) and minimal rainfall beckon lengthy outdoor exploration.

Summer, however, attracts the biggest crowds, especially during the Christmas and New Year period and January school holidays.

The spring and autumn shoulder seasons get a bit too nippy for most mainland Australians. Still, if you’re accustomed to the cold and don’t mind rugging up, neither season is a terrible time to travel (aim for March and November).

Spring brings blooming greenery, while autumn sees the foliage turn. Expect average highs and lows of around 17˚C and 8˚C in Hobart, or even colder as you get closer to winter (i.e., May/September).

Winter is the low season for campervan and motorhome travel as rainfall drenches the island and the mercury plummets. Average highs and lows hover at a teeth-chattering 12˚C / 5˚C in Hobart, with sub-zero temperatures (and heavy snowfall) typical in the highlands. To stay warm, hire a motorhome with a heater and book holiday parks so you can plug into their 240v power.

One to two weeks is a reasonable timeframe for a campervan trip around Northeast Tasmania.

Launceston only needs a day, and you can cover the Tamar Valley in one or two. The East Coast, however, has a seemingly endless selection of jaw-dropping beaches and lush forested reserves. It’s wise to spend more time here.

Due to its small size, it’s possible to explore other areas of Tasmania in a single, one-to-two-week trip. But you’ll need to focus on the highlights.

If you plan on spending more time in the south or west, you might be better off renting a campervan in Hobart or Devonport instead.

Wherever you go, know that the rugged mountainous terrain makes drive times longer than anticipated. Add 20% to the timeframe your GPS suggests.

Parking can be hard to find in Launceston’s tightly packed CBD. Available spaces cost between $1.50 and $4.00 per hour (zone-dependent), paid via the EasyPark app or cash/card on an on-site ticket machine.

The City of Launceston has published a comprehensive list of its parking locations and fees. Free, unrestricted parking is available in some outer suburbs, but you’ll have to take public transport into town. See the City of Launceston online parking maps for more information.

Unfortunately, Launceston has no large parking bays reserved for big RVs. You must park wholly within a marked bay unless your vehicle is too large to fit; in that case, use the minimum number of bays and pay for each occupied bay.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of inner-city parking, leave your rig at the Inveresk Car Park ($1.50 per hour; $4.50 per day; payment 8am to 6pm Mon to Fri; free outside those hours, weekends & public holidays) and head into town. (Note: the free Tiger Bus service was discontinued in October 2025.)

The City of Launceston only allows overnight stays in designated areas/campgrounds (e.g., Myrtle Park and Lilydale Falls). Outside of signed or designated sites, sleeping in a vehicle in council parks/streets isn’t permitted.

The best campground in Launceston is Old Macs Caravan and Motorhome Farm Stay, which offers affordable waterfront sites just a 10-minute drive from the CBD ($20 unpowered; $40 powered; self-contained campervans/motorhomes only; no tents). If it's full, you could try the BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park, Discovery Parks Hadspen, or Launceston Holiday Park.

The closest free camp to Launceston is in Evandale: the Falls Park Reserve (weekdays only) and Honeysuckle Banks (Nov–Apr) offer 48-hour stays for self-contained vehicles with a free permit. Guests should repay the favour by purchasing a meal or beer at a local venue in town.

A valid park pass is required to visit any of the 19 National Parks in Tasmania.

The Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania charges a single-entry day pass fee of $47.70 per vehicle (24 hrs) for almost all its national parks. The exception is Cradle Mountain, which uses an Icon Daily Pass ($29.80 adult; $11.95 child; $71.60 family) and includes the shuttle.

But budget travellers needn't worry. The price structure still nudges most visitors towards the national park holiday pass. For $95.50, you can get two months of vehicle entry into every Tasmanian park (Cradle Mountain shuttle not included). Therefore, the holiday pass will pay for itself if you visit at least two protected areas.

Tasmanian park pass options are:

• $47.70 per vehicle for a daily pass valid for up to 24 hrs (excluding Cradle Mountain)
• $95.50 per vehicle for a holiday pass valid for up to 2 months (excluding the Cradle Mountain shuttle)

Annual and two-year passes cost slightly more and include discounts for eligible concession-card holders. No discounts are available on the holiday or single-entry vehicle passes.

• Pro tip: If you hold an eligible concession card, it can be cheaper to purchase a discounted annual pass (currently $81.40) than a two-month holiday pass.

Most Tasmanian national park campgrounds are low-cost, and some are free. Expect around $13–$22 per site per night at places like Narawntapu and Freycinet, with payment/booking methods varying by site (e.g., ballot/visitor-centre bookings at Freycinet; self-registration or visitor centre at Narawntapu). Honeymoon Campground in Freycinet is so popular you must enter a ballot system to snag a spot during peak season (Christmas, New Year, and Easter).

For beachfront camping without the crowds, make a beeline for Bakers Point. This lovely little Narawntapu site welcomes more pademelons (small kangaroo-like creatures) than tourists.

Price: from $13 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, untreated water (boil before drinking), dump point (parks pass required for national park entry)

Several superb Bay of Fires campgrounds put you within metres of its famous orange-tinted rocks. Get in early to secure a decent pitch, especially during the busy summer months.

Price: free

Amenities: toilets

Not far north of Freycinet, this famous beach camp has earned a legendary reputation for its epic ocean views. Arrive in the morning, as the first-come, first-served site fills up fast.

Price: free (no camping charge; parks pass required)

Amenities: toilets

This leafy little spot offers a tranquil stopover for road trippers exploring the east Tamar Valley. Access to the falls is via a quick rainforest walk from your campsite.

Price: free

Amenities: toilets, bins, BBQ, camping, picnic tables, parking, self-guided walk

Waterfront pitches for a rock-bottom price just ten minutes’ drive from Lonnie—what more could you want? Old Macs is by far the best place to stay overnight in the city.

Price: from $20 per night

Amenities: toilets, potable water, powered sites, bins, dump point (no shower facilities)

Home to Priscilla, the beer-drinking pig, this jovial farmyard tavern has been pouring pints since 1880. Grab a plate of tasty pub grub and wash it down with an ice-cold beer.

Price: free to visit (meals/drinks extra)

Amenities: Wi-Fi, accommodation

A stone’s throw from Bicheno, this popular donation-only campsite has a quirky on-site gift shop and café (try the ice cream). Say “g’day” to the legendary owner, Lester—he’s quite the character.

Price: donation

Amenities: potable water, bins

Duck-filled ponds, fern-fringed walks, and technicoloured flower gardens help this fabulous free camp put Scottsdale on the map.

Price: free (no charge for pitches; showers are paid)

Amenities: toilets, showers, potable water, bins, BBQ, dump point

The best place to stay in St Helens, this tidy holiday park has excellent amenities, delicious pizza, and a handy location by the beach.

Price: from $45 per site per night

Amenities: toilets, showers, potable water, powered sites, bins, BBQ, games, camp kitchen, laundry, dump point

An excellent choice on the west side of the Tamar, this quaint campsite features a reflective pond with a pint-sized watermill.

Price: from $10 per site per night

Amenities: fire pits