Richardsons Beach Campground

Overview

Set behind a long sweep of sheltered sand on Coles Bay, Richardsons Beach Campground is the park’s prime basecamp. You’re a short stroll from the water, minutes from the visitor centre, and well‑placed for the area’s headline walks. Expect a relaxed coastal vibe rather than a resort—think simple facilities, sea breezes, and sunrise beach wanders.

Layout & Site Types

• Sites 1–18: Powered, vehicle‑based pitches beside the visitor centre. Roughly 7 m x 4 m, suited to vans and trailers up to about 18 ft. Close to drinking water, grey‑water disposal, toilets, and coin‑operated hot showers.
• Sites 19–45 (dune sites): Tent‑only pads tucked into the brush behind the beach, about 7 m x 6 m, with one car space per site. Expect privacy, easy shared paths to the sand, potable water taps, flush toilets, and cold showers.
• Sites 46–52 (Honeymoon Bay): Individual tent sites perched on a granite knoll with bay outlooks. Facilities (toilets, electric BBQs, picnic tables) are about a 100 m walk. Sites 51–52 sit down a steep drive best approached with 4WD. These sites generally open over summer holidays and Easter.

Facilities & Rules

• Water and showers: Potable water is available across the main areas; the powered‑site amenities block has coin hot showers, while dune‑area showers are cold. Drinking water in the park is limited—refill at the visitor centre’s filtered station when you can.
• Cooking: This is a fuel‑stove‑only campground—no campfires. On Total Fire Ban days, only electric BBQs at Ranger Creek and Honeymoon Bay picnic areas may be used.
• Waste: Grey‑water disposal is near the powered sites. There’s no black‑water dump point or laundry on‑site; use facilities in Bicheno or Swansea. Recycling and rubbish bins are near the powered area.

Booking, Fees & Stay Limits

This campground is extremely popular. A ballot allocates summer holiday (approximately December 18–February 10) and Easter stays. Applications close July 31 with the draw on August 1; max stay during ballot periods is 10 nights. Outside those windows you book through the visitor centre, with a 14‑night max. Camping fees apply, and you’ll also need a valid parks pass.

Wildlife

After dark, expect curious possums around camp; keep food sealed. Wallabies and wombats are common in the area—drive slowly, especially at dawn and dusk.

Best Time to Visit

If you can, aim for shoulder seasons or midweek outside school holidays for easier bookings and quieter beaches. Sunsets over the bay are lovely from the sand, and early arrivals help with snagging a preferred site in the dune area.

Nearby Alternatives

If everything’s full, consider Friendly Beaches Campground inside the park, or the holiday park in Coles Bay.

Quick Tips

• One vehicle per site; powered sites best suit shorter vans (up to ~18 ft).
• Bring coins for hot showers and your own table/chairs (no site picnic tables).
• Refill drinking water at the visitor centre and pack out thoughtfully if bins are busy.