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: West Picton Road - status update
Applies from 23/5/2023


West Picton Road (prior to Riveaux Creek) is closed due to the deterioration of three structures along the road.

Both Farmhouse Creek and Mt Picton walking tracks remain open.

A vehicle turnaround and car parking bay have been provided at the West Picton Road closure.

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.  Also, the pedestrian bridge over Farmhouse Creek has been closed, so walkers will need to ford Farmhouse Creek to continue their walk. Water levels fluctuate according to rainfall, so walkers need to make their own assessment of conditions before crossing.

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. 


Further information: https://sttas.com.au/access-permits/road-and-track-closures

Last reviewed 1/6/2023 10:30 AM


Safety alert: Farmhouse Creek walking track - changed access
Applies from 22/6/2022
​The last 7.2 km of West Picton Road has been closed by Sustainable Timber Tasmania. This is the access road to both Farmhouse Creek walking track (also known as Eastern Arthur Range Traverse), and the Mount Picton Track, within Southwest National Park. 

For Farmhouse Creek Track, this will require an additional 7.2km one way walk (14.2km return) along West Picton Road. The pedestrian bridge over Farmhouse Creek has also been closed, and therefore walkers will need to ford the creek to reach the trailhead.

For Mt Picton Track, this will require an additional 7.2km return walk along West Picton Road and West Picton Road 1-2.

Visitors can park prior to the closure, which will fit approximately 3-4 vehicles.  

Last reviewed 15/5/2023 04:58 PM


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. ​