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Waterhouse Conservation Area
Waterhouse Conservation Area

Waterhouse Conservation Area

Find out more

FeaturesExpand/Collapse

  • Boat ramp
  • Campfires permitted
  • Camping
  • Caravan access
  • Dogs on leads are permitted
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking
  • Parking
  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming
  • Toilets

ContactExpand/Collapse

  • Scottsdale Field Centre
    PO Box 260
    Scottsdale TAS 7260
    Phone: 03 6778 8520

About

​Waterhouse Conservation Area is a well-kept secret near Bridport in Tasmania’s far north-east. This tranquil wetland community encompasses a diverse range of vegetation, including one of the largest areas of heathland on the North-East Coast. Vast relict dune systems, formed during the Ice Age, tower over the horizon in the north of the reserve.

The conservation area houses three major permanent deep-water lagoons, each with their own qualities. One of these – Little Waterhouse Lake – is listed under the Ramsar Convention as an internationally significant wetland and supports a diversity of species, including the rare Wolfia australis, which boasts the impressive title of being the smallest flowering plant in the world.

Waterhouse Conservation Area provides important habitats for nine threatened bird species, at least three types of threatened mammals and the rare freshwater dwarf galaxias fish. Blackmans Lagoon and its feeder creeks are the most significant site in Tasmania for the precious green and golden frogs.

​Mention the Waterhouse Conservation Area to a resident of North-East Tasmania and their eyes light up. It is the ultimate camping destination for hundreds of families who have been visiting the area for generations. Campers flock to the reserve in summer, often for weeks at a time, to explore the area by vehicle (4WD recommended​​ on unsealed roads) or boat, to fish and to enjoy beach-based activities. Hunting waterfowl is popular from March to mid-June. Anglers converge during trout season from late winter to early spring in the hope of catching a trophy trout from Blackmans Lagoon.

Campsites are plentiful but basic and visitors need to be self-sufficient. This includes bringing water, toilet paper, food and, at some sites, portable toilets. If there are no fire restrictions in place also bring pre-cut firewood (including kindling).

More information on the individual campgrounds can be found on our Waterhouse Conservation Area - camping page.

The habitats of Waterhouse Conservation Area support a rich diversity of wildlife. More than 135 bird species have been recorded so bring your binoculars to seek out six of Tasmania's 12 endemic birds and nine threatened species. Your 'twitching' list should include the wedge-tailed eagle, several species of albatross and shore nesting birds such as little and fairy terns and hooded plovers. The wetland and open waterbodies provide excellent habitat for waterfowl.

Keep your binoculars handy for mammal spotting as well. You might be lucky to spy a spotted-tailed quoll,  eastern quoll or eastern bettong.

The lagoons also support a rich variety of wildlife. While many visitors are keen to land a trout, species of conservation significance include the rare dwarf galaxias (Galaxiellapusilla) and the green and golden frog, listed as vulnerable. Blackmans Lagoon and its feeder creeks constitute probably the single most important site in the State for the green and golden frog.

The Waterhouse Conservation Area encompasses a mosaic of heathland, wetlands, grasslands, coastal shrubberies, scrub and woodlands.

The reserve contains one of the largest areas of heathland on the North-East Coast, a vegetation community which has been greatly reduced in extent since European settlement. The area also contains substantial numbers of species that are rare in Tasmania and species listed in the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.

Coastal shrubs change in composition with the distance inland. Close to the coast, the foredunes are colonised by coastal wattle (Acacia sophorae) and coast bearded heath (Leucopogon parviflorus). Between one and three kilometres inland this is replaced by a dense shrubbery dominated by banksia, while further inland she-oak (Allocasuarina verticillata) and eucalypt become important. Small herbfields, often grazed to 'marsupial lawns', are found throughout.

For more information on our wildlife please see Tasmania's wildlife.

Visit our caring for wildlife page for more information on interacting with and protecting our native animals.

The North East Tribe of Tasmanian Aboriginals 'fired' the heathland and plains which enabled them to hunt kangaroos, wallabies, emus and possums. The coastline and the associated lagoons and estuaries provided abundant seasonal food resources, such as muttonbirds, swans, ducks, and seals.

During their 1798 circumnavigation of Tasmania, Mathew Flinders and George Bass named Waterhouse Island for the Captain of HMS Reliance.

Furneaux Archipelago sealers traded with Aboriginal groups and were the first regular European visitors to this stretch of coast. 

The first land grants in the Waterhouse area occurred in 1830s, including the original Waterhouse block granted to wealthy Hobart-based merchant William Morgan Orr.

In the late 1860s, a stockman employed at Waterhouse found specimens of gold ore on the property, sparking a stampede of miners. The town of Lyndhurst was quickly established near the junction of Old Waterhouse Road and the B52 Bridport to Gladstone Road but by early 1873 it had become a ghost town. No evidence of this town can be seen today.

During the 1950s, significant advances in agricultural technology led to more intensive settlement but huge sand blows on the coast threatened to engulf and bury new farms.

The Sand Dune Reclamation Unit was established in 1955 to develop a reliable dune stabilisation system and over 45 years it successfully stabilised vast tracts of land both within and beyond the reserve.

The Waterhouse Protected Area was declared in 1996.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal community continues to use the area for cultural activities including visits to the numerous Aboriginal sites, shell collecting for necklaces, and reed collecting for weaving.

Buy a map from TasMap

​​​The Waterhouse Conservation Area lies on the North-East Coast of Tasmania about 100 km north-east of Launceston and approximately 42 km east of Bridport. 

Homestead Road accesses the principal day use and camping areas in the north, including access to Big Waterhouse Lake via Big Waterhouse Lake Road. The southern section known as Blackmans Lagoon is accessed by the Blackmans Lagoon Road which runs off the B52.

Where possible, please avoid driving in our reserves at night. You are sharing the roads with our native wildlife, so take it slow and watch out for animals on the road.


​​​Campfires are only permitted at designated campgrounds within designated fireplaces. Campfires are prohibited during seasonal fire restrictions. Never leave your campfire unattended - it is prohibited. For campfire safety and how to check whether any restrictions are in place see Campfires and fire restrictions.​

Always check local signage for campfire restrictions before lighting a campfire. Bring your own water and firewood.  It is best to have a fuel stove with you for cooking, as restrictions can change. 

For the safety of everyone - completely extinguish your campfire before you depart and ensure no hot coals remain.  Remember - Soak it. Stir it. Soak it again.​

Please take all rubbish away with you.

​

​Dogs are welcome in the reserve but must be leashed to avoid wandering outside of camp zones, through vegetation, disturbance of wildlife and other camp users. ​

There is no rubbish collection in the reserve and all visitors are asked to 'wildlife-proof' rubbish and remove it on departure.

Boats can be launched from signed beach access points at Blizzards Landing Boatramp along the main Homestead Road. The shoreline is a nesting place for many birds and vehicles are permitted on the beach only to launch and retrieve boats.

A four-wheel-drive track extending from the end of the Blackmans Lagoon Road to the surf beach, provides vehicular access to the southern part of the reserve. This is a dangerous 4WD beach with changing conditions used mainly by people surf fishing. There is no access north along the beach to South Croppies Point. 

​Homestead Road provides access to South Croppies, Little Waterhouse Lake, North Croppies and Waterhouse Point camping zones, Ransons Beach and Casurina Hill camping areas.

Ransons Beach is closed to all traffic from 1 December until after Easter.

Registered trail bikes and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited from all areas except Ransons Beach (open from the end of Easter to 1 December), and the southern end of Ocean Beach at Blackmans Lagoon (open all year). All vehicles, including bikes, must be registered and ridden by a licensed rider. Helmets are compulsory.

Campers need to be self sufficient. This includes bringing water, toilet paper, food, pre-cut firewood if fires are permitted and, at some camping sites, portable toilets. Toilet waste is to be disposed of off-site only.

​Find out other essential information for visiting Tasmania's parks and reserves on our know before you go section.

​Please take care on the beaches. Nesting shore-birds are particularly vulnerable to disturbance by dogs, vehicles and people venturing above the high water mark along sandy beaches. 

Some beaches contains rips and are subject to king tides. Snakes are seen during the warmer months and are part of the ecosystem and protected. 

In an emergency fire situation campers are advised to go to the beach as a safe area until advice is given by emergency services.

All-​terrain vehicles, motor bikes and quads are not allowed in the reserve during your camping stay.

Experiences in Waterhouse Conservation Area

Searching for somewhere to take your four-legged friend? There are a number of reserves around Tasmania that are open to visitors with canine companions.

Statewide

Dogs in parks

Searching for somewhere to take your four-legged friend? There are a number of reserves around Tasmania that are open to visitors with canine companions.

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Fishing on the rocks at Friendly Beaches, Freycinet National Park

Tasmania has a wealth of excellent inland and ocean fishing locations where you can cast your line.

Statewide

Fishing

Tasmania has a wealth of excellent inland and ocean fishing locations where you can cast your line.

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Accommodation

Stay Overnight

  • Waterhouse camping

One of the North-East's most popular recreational camping sites, Waterhouse is a must for visitors and locals alike.

Bookings and more info
View of Ransons Beach, campgrounds at Waterhouse Conservation Area

Waterhouse camping