Campfires in our Parks and Reserves
When you visit Tasmania’s Parks and Reserves, know what type of fires are allowed before you go.
Where can I have a campfire?
Campfires are allowed in some of our Parks and Reserves. Campfires should be lit in a designated campfire spot. Look for dedicated campfire rings and structures like these below to use.
For Parks, Reserves and campgrounds where campfires are permitted, please refer to the Map below.
If a sign is erected that says campfires are banned and the area is not on this map, then the sign takes precedence over this map. Signs may be erected at short notice and have immediate effect.
Campfire safety
When Campfires are permitted, campers must ensure they manage them safely. This means:
- Campfires must be 3 metres away from logs, trees, leaf litter, overhanging branches and other flammable materials.
- Campfires must not be lit on peat soil or gassy dunes.
- Campfires must be kept small in size, less than 1m x 1m.
- Campfires must not be left unattended at any time. Fines apply for leaving your campfire without an adult supervising it.
- Campfires must be fully extinguished before they are left. Extinguish your campfire with water. Remember to ‘Soak it. Stir it. Soak it.’
- Do not extinguish your fire with dirt or sand, the fire will likely continue smouldering and risk reigniting. It should be cool to touch when you leave.
- Firewood cutting and collection is not permitted in Tasmania’s National Parks and Reserves. You must supply your own firewood.
Safety around campfires
Campfire bans
Each year, the Parks and Wildlife Service looks at the risk of the upcoming bushfire season. We use this information to determines where and when we will introduce seasonal bans on campfires. These bans are intended to reduce the risk of bushfires at high-risk sites.
The timing of these bans depends on the local conditions. They usually start each year between October and December and are removed in Autumn.
When campfire bans are announced, we will display the affected areas on this website. Each Park or Reserve page will also show a notice indicating the campfire ban with this picture.
When Campfire Bans are in place, visitors can only use Gas Stoves, Gas BBQs, or liquid fuel stoves.
Solid fuel stoves are not allowed. This includes any stove that burns coal, wood, plant material, or briquettes. Sparks, embers, and ash disposal can pose an ignition risk. The ban also covers fully enclosed stoves, as our reserves do not offer convenient ash and coal disposal options.
Total Fire Bans
On days of high fire danger, the Tasmanian Fire Service may declare a Total Fire Ban. This ban applies to National Parks and Reserves in the affected area.
On days of Total Fire Ban, all outdoor fires are prohibited. This includes wood, charcoal, and portable stoves, as well as any fires using solid or liquid fuels. The only exceptions are electric stoves and electric barbecues, LPG (Butane or Propane) cookers or stoves. Liquid fuel stoves, like those using metho or shellite, are not allowed.
To find out which areas are affected, please check the
Tasmanian Fire Service website.
Fuel Stove Only
Some areas of Tasmania are so fragile, they are permanently classified as ‘fuel-stove only’ areas. This means all year-round open fires and campfires are banned in these areas. This is designed to protect our beautiful natural areas from the risk of an escaped bushfire and to ensure all vegetation remains where it is meant to and not on a campfire.
Visitors and walkers can cook their food using a portable fuel stove.
In Fuel Stove Only areas you can use:
Gas stoves and gas barbeques, liquid fuel stoves that use shellite and methylated spirits (though not on days of
Total Fire Ban when using liquid fuel is banned).
Visit our
Fuel stove only areas page for a list of fuel stove only areas.
Seasonal campfire bans are now in place
There is a campfire ban in all parks and reserves managed by PWS. These are shown in the shaded area on the map.
Affected reserves included:
National Parks
Conservation areas
Nature Reserves
Game Reserves
Regional Reserves
State Reserves
Nature Recreation Areas
Historic Sites
This ban includes campfires, pot fires and other solid fuel stoves. You can still use gas stoves and gas barbecues.
This is a seasonal ban to reduce the risk of fire over summer.
Signs banning campfires can put up at short notice. These overrides over this map and must be followed.
State Campfire Ban 2024 and 2025