Travelling further afield from Launceston, the Meander Valley Highway is well named. It is so pretty, you want to take your time exploring, what I imagine, a drive through the English countryside might look like – quaint towns, historic buildings, churches and a village green.
Driving into Hadspen just on the left as you are coming in off the highway is the Discovery Holiday Park Hadspen. It has an IGA attached to it, so you can get fuel and supplies here. It was nice to see those little extras on offer as well like a coffee machine in the camp kitchen, a games room for the kids as well as a herb garden for use by guests.
The dog decided he needed to stretch his legs and we chose the Hadspen Lions Park Reserve, a day use area close to town. It’s a stunning park beside the South Esk River and wow, this is pretty. A perfect dog friendly area, with plenty of space for parking and to enjoy a picnic by the river with tables, shade, BBQs and toilets. No camping here as it is day use, but well worth a stop. The river was running fast so I wouldn’t recommend a swim and there was a boat ramp as well as an extended parking area on the other side.
Travelling between Carrick and Hagley, the scenery is gorgeous with green paddocks, cattle and stunning views. Hagley RV Farmstay is along this route, currently closed for winter but re-opens shortly in October.
Moving on to Westbury, the RV camp is on the corner of Peyton St and the main road. Essentially a very large paddock, privately owned but kindly offered to self contained RVs that need a place to stop.
An unexpected surprise was the Chudleigh Memorial Hall and Showground. It’s directly opposite the honey farm and worth a visit with its delicious honeys, nougat, soaps, candles and more. The Memorial Hall has toilets, playground, tables and bbq. The camping area directly beside it, has plenty of room, large flat ground, water is non potable here but do stay overnight to explore the area. Remember to pay at the General Store.
Mole Creek has a couple of options for campers, RVs and caravans can free camp behind the pub. They offer hearty pub meals and you can spot the platypus if you’re nice and quiet.
The Mole Creek Caravan Park is nestled beside Sassafras Creek at the western end of town. The owners are incredibly friendly and helpful. There’s one cabin, grassy tent and caravan sites and it’s the perfect location for a base to explore the Marakoopa and King Solomon Caves and other attractions in the area.
Returning home by a different route Railton has a few choices for camping. The hotel offers low cost camping at the rear of the hotel. You can opt to freecamp at the Railton Motorhome Stop and right next door is the CMCA Park. There’s a custodian on site, play area, dump point, it’s in a quiet street and close to a bakery. The custodian said they are now allowing up to 14 day stays.
There is currently talk at the Kentish Council of charging a fee and removing the free camping option at the motorhome stop, which is disappointing. They’ll be making their decision soon and we’ll keep you updated.
The weather can change quickly in Tassie, and torrential rain and wind descended for a few days so it was a return home for us … till another day.
You’ll find all of these sites in the Camps Australia Wide App, guides and POI digital download for your sat nav.
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