Tasmania has 19 national parks, and you need a pass to enter any of them. That part is simple. The confusing part is choosing between six different pass types, figuring out whether the Cradle Mountain shuttle is included, and working out which option actually saves you money.
Every year, thousands of visitors to Tasmania overpay by buying daily passes when a holiday pass would have been cheaper, or buy a parks pass for Cradle Mountain only to discover the shuttle bus is a separate cost. This guide breaks it all down with current pricing, a simple decision framework, and the tips that regular Tassie visitors wish someone had told them.
Current pass types and prices (2025-2026)#
Prices are reviewed annually in line with CPI. These are the current rates as of July 2025:
| Pass type | Price | Who it covers | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily (24hr) | $47.70/vehicle | Up to 8 people in one vehicle | 24 hours from purchase |
| Daily (24hr) per person | $23.85/person | One person (walk-in, cyclist, bus) | 24 hours |
| Cradle Mountain Icon Daily | $29.80/adult, $71.60/family | Includes shuttle bus | 24 hours at Cradle Mountain only |
| Holiday | $95.50/vehicle | Up to 8 people in one vehicle | 2 months from first use |
| Holiday per person | $47.75/person | One person | 2 months |
| Annual All Parks | $101.70 | One vehicle | 12 months |
| Annual Single Park | $51.95 | One vehicle, one park only | 12 months |
| Two-Year All Parks | $129.90 | One vehicle | 24 months |
Concession discount: 20% off with a valid Australian concession card (changed from 50% in December 2025).
Children under 5: Free.
Hire cars: Select "HIRE" when purchasing online. No registration number required.
Which pass should you buy?#
This is the question everyone asks. Here's the simple version:
Visiting 1 park for 1 day? Daily pass ($47.70/vehicle).
Visiting Cradle Mountain for 1 day? Cradle Mountain Icon Daily ($29.80/adult). This is cheaper than the standard daily AND includes the shuttle bus.
Visiting 2 or more parks over your trip? Holiday pass ($95.50/vehicle). It pays for itself after just 2 daily visits. If your trip is under 2 months, this is almost always the best value.
Tasmanian local who visits parks regularly? Annual All Parks ($101.70). It costs barely more than the holiday pass and lasts a full year.
Visiting one specific park multiple times? Annual Single Park ($51.95). Good for locals who live near one park.
The breakeven maths#
The holiday pass ($95.50) costs the same as two daily passes ($47.70 x 2 = $95.40). So if you're visiting two or more parks during a trip of up to 2 months, the holiday pass is the better deal. Most visitors to Tasmania hit at least Cradle Mountain and Freycinet, so the holiday pass makes sense for the vast majority of tourists.
The annual pass ($101.70) is only $6.20 more than the holiday pass. If there's any chance you'll return to Tasmania within 12 months, the annual is a no-brainer.
The Cradle Mountain shuttle: what nobody explains clearly#
This catches more visitors off guard than anything else about the parks pass system. Here's what you need to know:
Private vehicle access is restricted at Cradle Mountain. Beyond the Visitor Centre, the road is controlled by a boom gate. When the car park at Dove Lake fills up (which happens early on busy days), the gate closes and operates one-in, one-out. Campervans over 5 metres are prohibited beyond the gate entirely.
The shuttle bus is a separate cost from your parks pass. A standard daily or holiday parks pass gets you into the park, but it does NOT include the shuttle. You need to buy a shuttle ticket on top.
Exception: The Cradle Mountain Icon Daily Pass ($29.80/adult) includes the shuttle. This is the only pass that bundles both.
Shuttle pricing#
| Ticket | Adult | Child (under 18) |
|---|---|---|
| 24-hour | Included with Icon Pass | Free |
| 72-hour | $15 | Free |
| Annual | $45 | Free |
The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes in summer and every 15-20 minutes in winter. Your 24-hour ticket starts from the time of first scan, so if you're spending two days at Cradle Mountain, you'll likely need two tickets (or a 72-hour ticket).
Practical tip from frequent visitors: Arrive early (before 8am in summer) if you want to drive your own vehicle to Dove Lake car park. By mid-morning on busy days, the boom gate closes and you'll need the shuttle regardless.
What about multi-day walks?#
If you're doing the Overland Track or Three Capes Track, your booking fee already includes the parks pass and (for Cradle Mountain) the shuttle. Don't buy a separate parks pass for these walks or you'll double-pay.
- Overland Track: Booking fee includes parks pass + Cradle Mountain shuttle for the start
- Three Capes Track: Booking fee includes parks pass for the duration of the walk
If you're also visiting other parks before or after your walk, a holiday or annual pass will cover those additional parks. Your multi-day walk booking only covers the specific park for the duration of the walk.
Where to buy#
The price is the same everywhere. No discounts for buying at any particular location.
Online: parks.tas.gov.au. Convenient for planning ahead. Select "HIRE" for rental vehicles.
In person:
- Hobart: Tourist Information Centre on Elizabeth Street (near the waterfront, orange building). Most recommended by travellers.
- Launceston: Service Tasmania office
- Spirit of Tasmania ferry: Buy on board during the crossing from Melbourne
- National park visitor centres: Available at most major parks, but not all. Douglas Apsley, for example, has no visitor centre. Buy before you arrive.
- Pay-and-display machines: At some park entry points
Tip: Buy before you arrive at the park. Some smaller parks don't have on-site purchase options, and you don't want to drive an hour to discover you can't get in.
Which parks need a pass?#
All 19 national parks in Tasmania require a valid parks pass. The most popular:
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair (northwest): Tasmania's most iconic park. Dove Lake, Overland Track, alpine scenery.
- Freycinet (east coast): Wineglass Bay, coastal walks, Hazards. Second most visited.
- Mt Field (central): Russell Falls, alpine tarns, easiest access from Hobart.
- Southwest (wilderness): Remote, rugged. Southwest Track for experienced walkers.
- Tasman (southeast): Sea cliffs, Three Capes Track.
- Walls of Jerusalem (central highlands): Alpine wilderness, day walks and overnight.
- Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers (west): Rainforest, river gorges, drive-through access.
You'll also need a pass for less-visited parks like Douglas Apsley, Hartz Mountains, Mole Creek Karst, and Maria Island (which also has a ferry cost).
The 2025 seniors concession change#
In December 2025, the Tasmanian government reduced the concession discount from 50% to 20%. This means seniors and concession card holders now pay more than they used to.
Before: 50% off (Annual All Parks was ~$50) After: 20% off (Annual All Parks is now $81.40)
This change was controversial and caught many regular visitors off guard. If you hold an Australian concession card, factor the new pricing into your budget.
Tips from experienced Tassie visitors#
Buy the holiday pass unless you have a specific reason not to. At $95.50 for 2 months and up to 8 people in one vehicle, it's the best value for almost every tourist visiting multiple parks.
Don't forget the Cradle Mountain shuttle. Budget separately for it. The Icon Daily Pass is the cheapest way to visit Cradle Mountain for one day because it includes everything.
Display your pass visibly on the dashboard. Rangers check, and fines apply if you can't produce a valid pass.
Keep your receipt. If you buy a daily pass and later decide to upgrade to a holiday or annual pass, you may be able to apply the daily fee as credit. Check with the visitor centre.
National parks camping is separate. The parks pass covers entry only. Camping fees at sites like Freycinet, Cradle Mountain, and Maria Island are booked and paid separately through Parks Tasmania. If a campground is booked out, CampWatch monitors availability at popular campgrounds and texts you when cancellations open up.
The pass is the easy part#
Choosing which Tasmania national parks pass to buy takes about 30 seconds once you know the breakeven maths. The harder part is deciding which of Tasmania's 19 national parks to squeeze into your trip.
Buy the holiday pass, budget for the Cradle Mountain shuttle separately, and spend your planning energy on the trails and campgrounds instead of the admin.
Seen a campground you want but the dates are gone?
CampWatch monitors popular campgrounds across Australia around the clock and texts you when the dates you want reopen.
No app. No account. Just your phone number.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a parks pass for every national park in Tasmania?
Yes. All 19 national parks require a valid pass. There are no free-entry parks.
Can I use one vehicle pass for multiple cars?
No. Vehicle passes are tied to one vehicle (by registration number). If you switch cars during your trip, you'll need a new pass or a per-person pass.
Is the Cradle Mountain shuttle included in my parks pass?
Only if you have the Cradle Mountain Icon Daily Pass ($29.80/adult). All other passes (daily, holiday, annual) do NOT include the shuttle. You need to buy a shuttle ticket separately.
Can I buy a pass at the park entrance?
At most major parks, yes (visitor centres or pay-and-display machines). But some smaller or remote parks don't have on-site purchase facilities. Buy online or in town beforehand to be safe.
Are children free?
Children under 5 are free. Children 5-17 are included under a vehicle pass (up to 8 people). Per-person passes for children 5-17 are available at a reduced rate.
Is it worth buying an annual pass as a tourist?
If you're visiting for more than a few days and there's any chance you'll return within 12 months, the annual pass ($101.70) is only $6.20 more than the 2-month holiday pass ($95.50). A remarkably easy decision.