Friendly Beaches Campground is a primitive campground in Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s east coast just north of the town of Coles Bay. While the campground lacks many comfortable features like picnic tables, fire rings, and running water (there is a toilet at least), the campground is located on an undeveloped coastline surrounded by light sand beaches, which makes it a very desirable place to camp.
The campground begins where Friendly Beaches Road reaches the car park at the start of the Friendly Beaches Walk. From here, the dirt road turns north up the coast and continues for half a kilometer. There are a few campsites spaced out along the road that resemble grass parking spots, along with larger areas to camp in on dirt turnout. Just a short way up the road there is a toilet for the campground. Farther up, there is a beach access path leading down to a small beach at the center of the campground. At the end of the road, there is another access path to a beach that runs north for 1.8 kilometers and from the main car park, you can walk south down the beach for close to 8 kilometers to fully explore the Friendly Beaches.
A national park entrance fee is required to visit Freycinet National Park. A single day pass will cost $40 or you may purchase an 8-week pass good for all of Tasmania’s National Parks for $80 (all prices in Australian Dollars as of 2021). Aside from this National Parks Pass, there is no additional fee to camp at Friendly Beaches Campground. There are a couple dozen camping spots within the primitive campground, and each site is first-come first-served (no reservations). The maximum stay at any site is two weeks. There is no rubbish collection at this campground, so pack out all of your garbage and do not litter. There are no fire rings, picnic tables, or running water. Campfires are not allowed, but fuel stoves are permitted. Dogs and other pets are not allowed (even in vehicles) and chainsaws and firearms are banned too.
While staying at the campground, you’ll have easy access to Friendly Beaches, the epic stretches of sand on this untarnished coastline that are perfect for long private strolls. At no extra charge to National Parks pass holders, Friendly Beaches Campground is a great camping option for those willing to sacrifice standard campground amenities for great oceanfront scenery.
Directions: Take Tasman Highway (A3) 11.3 kilometers south of Bicheno to Coles Bay Road (C302). Take this road southeast toward Coles Bay for 8.5 kilometers and turn left onto Friendly Beaches Road. Take this dirt road for 4 kilometers to the car park at the beach and bear left to enter the campground. Coming from Coles Bay, you will drive 17.5 kilometers up Coles Bay Road to reach the marked turn for Friendly Beaches.
Campground address: Friendly Beaches Road, Freycinet National Park, Friendly Beaches, TAS 7215, Australia
Campground coordinates: -41.991682, 148.286531 (41° 59′ 30.05″S 148° 17′ 11.51″E)
Use the map below to view the campground and get directions:
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 | Friendly Beaches This hike explores a long, pristine beach on the east coast of Tasmania north of the Freycinet Peninsula. |
 | Cape Tourville This 0.6-kilometer circuit provides big views along the east coast of Freycinet Peninsula, circling 100-meter tall bluffs to reach the Cape Tourville Lighthouse. |
 | Wineglass Bay and Hazards Beach Circuit This approximately 12-kilometer loop (shorter if you skip two overlooks and longer if you do extra beach strolling) takes a rewarding route through Freycinet National Park, visiting pristine light sand beaches at Hazards Beach and the renowned Wineglass Bay. |
 | Tasmans Arch & Devils Kitchen This 0.9-mile walk visits two impressive features on the coast of the Tasman Peninsula, a natural bridge and a chasm carved by the sea. |
 | Blowhole & Fossil Bay Lookout This short walk in Tasman National Park reaches a coastal vista point and a wave-carved tunnel through a rocky point that has the potential to spray up like a whale spout. |
 | Coal Mines Historic Site This 0.8-kilometer loop through the Convict Precinct explores the ruins of an old prison and coal mine that relied on convict laborers. |
 | Cape Raoul This 12 to 14-kilometer hike explores the pristine coastline at the southwest end of the Tasman Peninsula, reaching a cape with daunting 200-meter tall cliffs dropping to swirling seas. |
 | Apsley Waterhole & Lookout Track This 1.4-kilometer loop travels through a eucalyptus forest to a popular swimming hole on the Apsley River in Douglas-Apsley National Park. |
 | Cataract Gorge This 3.4-kilometer loop combines Zig-Zag Track, Cataract Walk, and Bridge Walk to explore Cataract Gorge Reserve, an impressive natural area just outside the center of Launceston. |
| Friendly Beaches This hike explores a long, pristine beach on the east coast of Tasmania north of the Freycinet Peninsula. |
 | Liffey Falls This 2.2-kilometer walk passes the Upper Cascades on the Liffey River to reach the base of lovely Liffey Falls, one of Tasmania’s finest waterfalls. |
 | Mount William This 3.6-kilometer out and back hike tops a short summit that is the high point of Mount William National Park with panoramic views over the coastline at the northeast corner of Tasmania. |
 | Octopus Tree and Circle Track This 1.1-kilometer loop in Hobart’s Wellington Park reaches a unique eucalyptus tree with tentacles for roots that wrap around a boulder. |
 | Pinnacles Boardwalk & Summit Trig The 0.3-kilometer round trip walk on Pinnacles Boardwalk can easily be extended to a 0.75-kilometer walk on the top of Mount Wellington, checking out another short boardwalk and the trig station at the summit. |
 | Russell Falls & Horseshoe Falls This hike in Mount Field National Park visits one of Tasmania’s most famous and beautiful waterfalls and can be extended from 1.8 to 2.65 kilometers by venturing to the top of Russell Falls and nearby Horseshoe Falls. |
 | Saint Columba Falls This 1.2-kilometer round trip hike descends into a rainforest to the base of a powerful 90-meter tall waterfall. |
 | More trails in Australia Explore other destinations in Victoria and Tasmania, Australia. |
 | Richardsons Beach Campground This bay side campground near Coles Bay offers powered and non-powered campsites in Freycinet National Park. |
 | Big4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park This holiday park in the coastal town of Coles Bay at the top of Freycinet Peninsula offers tent sites, campervan sites, and cabins, as well as quick access to nearby Freycinet National Park. |
 | Mayfield Beach Conservation Area Campground This beachfront campground is located on Great Oyster Bay on the east coast of Tasmania. |
 | Lime Bay State Reserve Campground This shaded campground is bordered by sandy beaches in a cove on a remote thumb of the Tasman Peninsula. |
 | Stumpys Bay Campground This campground is split into four areas along Stumps Bay with numerous campsite for visitors to Mount William National Park. |
 | Big4 Launceston Holiday Park This holiday park in Launceston offers tent sites, campervan sites, and cabins on a hillside near the city center. |
Could an all-wheel drive vehicle towing a caravan get to Freycinet National Park in October? If we’re driving south would we drive from Bicheno?