A rainbow is seen from the shoreline of Cockle Creek.
Cockle Creek looking at Recherche Bay, Southwest National Park (photograph: Stella Rodriguez)

Cockle Creek camping

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Alerts for Cockle Creek camping

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Closed area: Edgar Dam boat ramp and campground - Southwest National Park
Applies from 5/8/2024

​Hydro Tasmania is commencing works on Edgar Dam starting October 2024 until mid-2026. 

During this time, the Edgar Dam boat ramp and campground will be closed. 

Access to Strathgordon and Scott's Peak boat ramps remains open.

Camping at the Huon and Ted's Beach campground remain open. 

During this period, there will also be short delays due to increased traffic along Scott's Peak Road. 

For more information, please visit the Hydro Tasmania w​ebsite ​or contact the Mount Field Visitor Centre on (03) 6288 1149.​​

Last reviewed 3/9/2024 01:10 PM


Safety alert: Winter walking - Be safe in our parks and reserves this winter
Applies from 27/6/2024
​Winter walking comes with increased hazards. This includes severe weather and the risk of hypothermia.

Know before you go. Check weather forecasts and choose walks that match your abilities. Use the right equipment and be flexible with your plans if conditions change. 

Carry items for all possible conditions including sub-zero temperatures. Use our Alpine Walker Pack List and Safety Checklist to help you prepare. 

Always carry a communication device. You can’t rely on your mobile phone coverage in remote areas. Carry a physical map, a portable battery bank and a Personal Locator Beacon.

More information is on our safety in parks webpage.

Walks that need overnight walker registration​ must be self-reliant. There is no ranger presence on these tracks. If the weather forecasts or conditions change do not depart if it is unsafe to walk. Please change the date of registration.

Last reviewed 4/9/2024 10:19 AM


Closed area: Eastern Arthur range traverse – changes to access West Picton Road and Huon Track.
Applies from 21/12/2023

​​

West Picton Road (prior to Riveaux Creek) is closed due to the deterioration of three structures along the road.  A 15-20 vehicle parking area has been created adjacent to the new closure.  

Farmhouse Creek walking track requires an extra 7.1km (one-way) walk along West Picton Road from its closure prior to Picton River Tributary.

Mt Picton walking track requires an extra 7.2km (return) walk along West Picton Road and then West Picton Road Spur 1-2 from its closure prior to Picton River Tributary. 

The Huon Track has been heavily impacted by a large number of tree falls that are making this difficult to traverse and we recommend that you commence your walk at either Farmhouse Creek or Huon Campground. 

Both Farmhouse Creek and Mt Picton walking tracks remain open.

Last reviewed 26/8/2024 08:37 AM


A valid parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks.
Caravan/Campervan    Tent   
Fees:

Camping is free.

Bookings:

​No campsite bookings are taken. Campgrounds are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Boltons Green campground is located in the Southwest National Park, across the bridge at Cockle Creek and a further 200 metres along the road.

About

​​Cockle Creek is a very popular destination for families, offering a variety of recreational activities such as bushwalking, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing and bird-watching.

The shady campground within the Southwest National Park is known as Boltons Green. Approximately 10 sites are available here for tent and caravan camping. Although caravans can access this campground, please be aware that the road is rough and flat campsites are limited.  

An additional 3-4  small tent sites can be found further along the road before you reach the 'NO TENTS beyond this point' sign.  Beyond this point there are limited sites available which are only for self-contained RV campers. Sites are not numbered so please try not to spread out too much, allowing for other groups to utilise the campground.

Basic facilities include pit toilets and a water tank at Boltons Green. Water is untreated and must be boiled before drinking. There is a public pay phone available at the visitor information shelter.

The Southwest National Park is a fuel stove only area​, no fires are permitted. 

Dogs are not permitted once you cross the bridge at Cockle Creek and enter the Southwest National Park.​

The following map shows the zones outside the Southwest National Park where dogs are permitted, where dogs must be on lead and the off lead dog zones.

  Map of Designated Areas- Southern Section - Cockle Creek - Recherche Bay NRA   (4Mb)

Other campsites

If you prefer to have a campfire or are bringing your dog on a lead, you can choose a campsite north of the bridge within the Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area.

There are a number of camping areas on the northern side of the Cockle Creek bridge and further north at Catamaran, Finns  Beach and Gillams Beach. See Recherche Bay camping for these sites. 

Walking Tracks

See Cockle Creek for information on the local walks, ranging from a short 5 minute stroll to the more adventurous day walk to South Cape Bay. ​