| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Cost | Parks pass required |
| Location | Mount William National Park, North East Tasmania |
| Pet Friendly | Check Camps App |
| Campfires | Firepits at Stumpys 1; no fires at Stumpys 2 due to Casuarina trees |
| Facilities | Toilets, picnic tables, bore pumps (Stumpys 1 & 3), bbq and shelter at Day Use area, boat ramp at Stumpys 3 |
| Vehicle Access | Gravel road, corrugated, subject to flooding. No caravans or high vehicles at Stumpys 2 |
| In Camps App | Site 25 in Camps 11 |
If you’ve camped at Stumpys Bay in the north east of Tasmania, you’ll already know what a find it is.
Off the Tasman Highway, travel to Gladstone and follow the signs towards Musselroe Bay, it is gravel all the way with a hint of bitumen, but don’t get excited, it doesn’t last long. The road is subject to flooding so plan ahead.
It is all very well signed along the way. I initially had three bars of Telstra signal here, but it disappeared quickly as I entered Mt William National Park and no Optus at all.
There’s an information bay just off Forester Kangaroo Drive and the campsites are in four separate areas, known as Stumpys 1, 2, 3 and 4 are about 5 km further along and you’ll need a parks pass to enter.
There’s a couple of corners that will come up on you fast! It’s corrugated, so if you’re travelling at night or dusk take it easy.
Stumpys 1 is lovely, plenty of flat ground, toilets, picnic tables, and firepits, direct beach access and the colour of the water is amazing. There’s an undertow off the beach at Stumpys One and a sign advising not to swim here.
You’ll find a bore pump at two of the campsites, here and the forester kangaroos that frequent the area seem unbothered by their human visitors.
Stumpys 2 is a canopy of trees and twisted branches, so you can’t bring a caravan or high vehicle in and no fires in here at any time of the year because of the Casuarina. The ground here is uneven as well and like all the campsites, there’s picnic tables, direct access to the beach.
Stumpys 3 has separate more private campsites. There’s a bore pump here as well as a natural boat ramp. I think this site would have to be my pick for fishing as you can get out onto the rocks as well as beach fish.
There’s plenty of shade at Stumpys 4 and private sites, sheltered from any wind. Every site has a picnic table and I spoke to a ranger here who mentioned they’ve installed new toilets at some camps (always good news).
As a bonus beside Stumpys 4 there is a Day Use picnic area, right on the lagoon leading to the beach, with toilet, a large shelter, picnic tables, bbq and non potable water.
Stumpy Bay Campgrounds is Site 25 in Camps 11 and 26 in our new CAMPS Pendium.
I think the pictures tell the rest of the story.
Find this site and more nearby in the CAMPS guide books, CAMPS Pendium boxed set and CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App.
Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Stumpys Bay campgrounds?
From the Tasman Highway, travel to Gladstone and follow signs towards Musselroe Bay. The road is gravel all the way (with a brief section of bitumen) and is subject to flooding, so plan ahead. It’s about 5km from the information bay to the campsites.
Do I need a parks pass to camp at Stumpys Bay?
Yes, you’ll need a parks pass to enter Mount William National Park and camp at Stumpys Bay.
Is there mobile phone reception at the campgrounds?
Mobile reception is limited. There may be initial Telstra signal but it disappears quickly once you enter Mt William National Park. No Optus signal is available.
Which Stumpys campground is best for caravans?
Stumpys 1 has plenty of flat ground and is suitable for caravans. Avoid Stumpys 2 as you cannot bring a caravan or high vehicle in due to the low canopy of trees and twisted branches.
Can I swim at Stumpys Bay?
There is an undertow off the beach at Stumpys 1 and a sign advising not to swim there. Check the Camps App for current details about other swimming areas.
Is there water available at the campsites?
Yes, there are bore pumps at Stumpys 1 and Stumpys 3. The Day Use area beside Stumpys 4 has non-potable water available.
Which campsite is best for fishing?
Stumpys 3 is recommended for fishing as it has a natural boat ramp and you can access the rocks as well as beach fish.
Are campfires allowed at all the Stumpys sites?
Firepits are available at Stumpys 1. However, fires are not permitted at Stumpys 2 at any time of year due to the Casuarina trees. Check the Camps App for current fire restrictions at other sites.
