What are park entry fees and why do I need to pay them?
Park entry fees apply when visiting Tasmania's national parks and are paid by purchasing a parks pass.
The money raised from park entry fees is reinvested and goes directly towards the upkeep of your parks and reserves. It is used to maintain and upgrade visitor facilities, walking tracks and visitor centres and provide a range of visitor services.
Additional fees may apply to cover activities such as guided cave tours, multi-day walks, shuttle bus services and campground stays.
Where do I need to have a parks pass?
Park passes are required for entry into all 19 of Tasmanian
National Parks:
How much does a parks pass cost?
There are various options available depending on your needs. Passes are offered for 24-hours, 8 weeks, yearly or two yearly. Visit our Park passes and entry fees | Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania for a detailed list of parks pass options and prices.
Where can I purchase a parks pass?
You can purchase a parks pass online, at national park visitor centres, at any Service Tasmania centre, onboard the Spirit of Tasmania, at most accredited Tasmanian Visitor Information Centres or from authorised resellers across Tasmania.
What types of parks passes are available?
We offer a range of parks passes to suit all visitor's needs:
24-Hour Person Pass: Perfect for a single day visit for one person, excluding entry to Icon parks. This pass is for visitors not taking a vehicle into national parks.
24-Hour Vehicle Pass: Provides 24-hour access for the pass holder, a single vehicle and up to 7 passengers, excluding entry to Icon parks.
Icon Pass: Allows 24-hour access to Icon parks, such as Cradle Mountain. Icon passes are available for adults, children or a family of 2 adults and 3 children. This pass is only available for purchase at the Visitor Centre of the specific Icon park. Includes the Cradle Mountain shuttle service. Not upgradable.
Holiday Person Pass: Valid for up to 8 weeks, this pass covers all Tasmanian parks for a single person travelling by public transport, motorbike, bicycle or on foot.
Holiday Vehicle Pass: Provides access for up to 8 weeks to all Tasmanian parks for the pass holder, a single vehicle and up to 7 passengers.
One Park Pass: Grants unlimited access to one national park for an entire year for the pass holder and up to 7 passengers. You can register up to two vehicles on this pass.
Annual All Parks Pass: Offers year-round access to all Tasmanian national parks for the pass holder and up to 7 passengers. You can register up to two vehicles on this pass.
Two-Year All Parks Pass: Provides unlimited access for two years to all Tasmanian national parks for the pass holder and up to 7 passengers, with the option to register up to two vehicles on this pass.
Do children need a parks pass?
Children aged between 5 and 17 years can access parks for free when accompanied by an adult with a valid vehicle pass. If visiting Cradle Mountain without a vehicle, an Icon Day Pass is available for adults, children or families including 2 adults and 3 children. Children 5 years and under are free of charge.
Do parks passes include shuttle bus tickets at Cradle Mountain?
Adult, Child and Family Icon Passes include Cradle Mountain shuttle bus tickets. For all other passes such as Holiday, Annual and Two-Year passes, you will need to purchase shuttle bus tickets additionally.
Icon Passes and shuttle bus tickets are available to purchase from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. Children under 18 years old do not require tickets for the shuttle bus.
What shuttle bus ticket options are available?
Fees apply to use the Cradle Mountain shuttle bus for adults 18 years and over. Shuttle bus tickets can be purchased at the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. Options include;
- 24 hour shuttle bus ticket - Included in the cost of an Icon Park Pass - Cradle Mountain.
- 72 hour shuttle bus ticket - $15.00 per adult.
- An annual shuttle bus pass - $45.00 per adult.
Cradle Mountain shuttle bus tickets are not transferrable and must be used in conjunction with a valid parks pass.
What is an Icon Park?
An Icon Park is the term used for our iconic national parks that require additional attention to conserve due to the increased size, visitation volume and presence of threatened species. Our Icon parks include:
Do I need a parks pass to visit Wineglass Bay?
Yes, Wineglass Bay is located within Freycinet National Park and requires a parks pass to visit.
Do I need a parks pass for the Overland Track or Three Capes Track?
No. The Overland Track and Three Capes Tracks require payment of separate booking fees which include your park entry fees.
If you plan to explore other multi-day hikes (including the Overland Track during winter when booking fees do not apply) a parks pass is needed.
Are there discounts for Tasmanian residents?
No, section 117 of the Constitution of Australia states that discrimination is prohibited on the basis of state of residence. Therefore, Tasmanian residents are not offered a reduced rate on park passes compared to residents of other Australian states.
Are there discounts available for Seniors?
Yes, Seniors Passes can be purchased at a reduced rate to holders of an Australian State Government Seniors card, excluding Seniors Business or Seniors Health Care Cards.
Are there discounts for other concession card holders?
Yes, concession pricing is offered to holders of an Australian Commonwealth Government issued Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Department of Veterans Affairs Seniors or Pension card.
Can I upgrade my parks pass?
If you purchase a day pass and realise you would like to extend your visit, you can upgrade your pass (excluding Icon Daily Passes) within 48 hours of expiry at a national park visitor centre, or by contacting us via the phone or email details listed at the bottom of this page.
Payment for the price difference is required at the time of upgrade.
Can another person use my parks pass?
No, parks passes are non-transferable and must be used by the pass holder. For Annual or Two Year Parks Pass, the pass may be used by persons who live in the same household as the pass holder while travelling in a vehicle listed on that parks pass.
Seniors passes can only be used when the pass holder is visiting a national park.
Can I cancel my parks pass and get a refund?
Park passes are generally non-refundable. However, if you purchased a parks pass in error, please contact us as soon as possible at parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au to discuss your options.
Can I pre-purchase a parks pass for a future date?
Yes, you can select a start date for your park pass up to three months ahead when purchasing online.
I am hiring a car and don't know the registration, what do I do?
If you are hiring a vehicle, select the 'HIRE' option in the registration section when purchasing the parks pass. The hire vehicle's registration is not required.
Can I use my vehicle pass for parks that I will not drive into?
Yes, your vehicle pass covers all Tamanian National Parks, even those without vehicle access such as Cradle Mountain and Maria Island National Parks.
Please make sure that you take your pass with you on the ferry to Maria Island National Park or the shuttle bus into Cradle Mountain National Park.
What if I lose my parks pass or vehicle sticker?
If you lose your pass, please contact our friendly Visitor Services Team at parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au to order a replacement pass or vehicle stickers.
Can I change the vehicle registration on my park pass?
Yes, if you no longer have the vehicle registered on your pass or you buy a new vehicle you can email Visitor Services at parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au with the details of your changes.
Please include your parks pass number and the registration numbers to be added and removed from your pass. Parks passes are limited to two vehicles registered to the address of the pass holder.
I have a business and want to run tours in Tasmanian National Parks. What do I need to know?
If you plan to conduct business within Tasmania's national parks, reserves or on crown land, you must apply for a Nature-Based Tourism (NBT) Licence from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS).
Here's a summary of what's involved:
Permit Application: Apply for a NBT Licence, which grants permission to operate tours within specified areas of Tasmania's public lands. Applications are assessed based on criteria like environmental impact, safety protocols, and visitor experience.
Park Entry Fees: All commercial tour operators are required to ensure their guests are covered by park entry fees when visiting national parks. You'll need to fill and display a tour voucher as part of compliance with PWS policies. For more information please contact the Visitor Services Team at parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au.
Compliance with Guidelines: Follow all relevant conservation guidelines, such as the 'Leave No Trace' principles, to ensure the protection of natural and cultural heritage. Adherence to park rules helps preserve Tasmania's unique ecosystems for all visitors.
Reporting Requirements: Commercial operators must report visitor numbers and other relevant information to PWS periodically. This data helps monitor the impact of tourism and manage park resources.
For detailed information on the application process, requirements, and responsibilities, visit our Leases and licences page or contact our licencing team at Enquiries.NBTOperators@parks.tas.gov.au or on (+61) 03 6169 9015.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Please reach out to our customer support team at parkfees@parks.tas.gov.au or call during our business hours 9am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday on 1300 TAS PARKS (1300 827 727) .
We're here to help make your visit as enjoyable as possible.