Cheap Accommodation In Campbelltown, Tasmania, Australia
Campbelltown, sitting almost exactly halfway along the Midland Highway between Hobart and Launceston, is the kind of place that rewards travellers who like their history solid and their accommodation cheap. Known officially as Campbell Town, this small Tasmanian settlement has been welcoming coach passengers, drovers and road-trippers for close to two centuries, and it still does the job well today. The bluestone and brick buildings along the main street, the convict-built Red Bridge, and the general unhurried pace of the town make it an easy, affordable stop whether you’re breaking up a long drive or settling in for a night or two to explore the Tasmanian Midlands properly. Because it’s a stopover town rather than a tourist hotspot, prices here tend to stay sensible even during busier travel periods. Use the search box above to compare accommodation options in Campbelltown and find the best deal for your dates.
Getting There
Most visitors reach Campbelltown by car, since it sits directly on the Midland Highway (Heritage Highway), roughly 70 kilometres from Launceston and about 130 kilometres from Hobart. Self-driving is the cheapest and most practical option, and the road is sealed and well maintained the entire way. If you don’t have your own vehicle, long-distance coach services running between Hobart and Launceston stop in Campbelltown, and fares are generally inexpensive compared to hiring a car for a short visit. Launceston Airport is the closest airport, around 50 minutes’ drive away, and it’s a reasonably convenient option if you’re flying in from the mainland and picking up a rental car before heading south. There’s no train service to Campbelltown, so bus or car remains the standard approach.
Best Time to Visit
Tasmania’s Midlands experience four distinct seasons, and Campbelltown is no exception. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer the most comfortable weather for walking around town and exploring nearby countryside, with mild days and manageable evenings. Summer can get warm, though rarely uncomfortably so, and this is also when the annual Campbell Town Show draws visitors from across the region. Winter brings cold mornings and occasional frost, but it’s also when accommodation prices are at their lowest, since fewer travellers are stopping overnight. If you’re chasing a bargain and don’t mind rugging up, a winter weekday stay is usually your cheapest option.
Top Attractions in Campbelltown
The Red Bridge is the town’s best-known landmark, a convict-built brick bridge dating from the 1830s that remains in use today, making it one of the oldest operating bridges of its kind in the country. It costs nothing to walk across or photograph, and there are informative plaques nearby explaining its construction. Along the main street, look down and you’ll notice bricks set into the footpath, each one commemorating a convict who was transported to the area, a simple but effective piece of local heritage interpretation that’s free to explore at your own pace. St Luke’s Church and several of the town’s sandstone buildings are worth a slow walk-through as well, giving a good sense of the town’s colonial-era layout without costing a cent.
For Families and Kids
Campbelltown is a small town, so family entertainment leans toward the simple and low-cost rather than large attractions. The riverside reserve along the Elizabeth River has open grassy space suitable for kids to run around after a long car trip, and there are basic playground facilities in town where children can burn off energy before getting back on the road. The annual Campbell Town Show, held each year, is a good option if your visit lines up with it, offering classic agricultural show entertainment at reasonable prices.
Outdoors and Nature
The countryside surrounding Campbelltown is classic Tasmanian Midlands: rolling grazing land, old stone fences, and wide open skies. The Elizabeth River runs through town and offers a pleasant, flat walking option along its banks. For those keen to explore further afield, Lake Leake and Tooms Lake are within reasonable driving distance and popular with locals for fishing and quiet picnicking. Further south, Ben Lomond National Park offers proper bushwalking and, in winter, some of Tasmania’s limited skiing terrain, though that’s more of a day-trip option than something within walking distance of Campbelltown itself.
Local Culture and Heritage
Campbelltown’s identity is deeply tied to its convict and coaching-era past. Established in the early 1800s as a garrison town along the main route north, it grew around the needs of travellers, soldiers and the agricultural industry that still shapes the surrounding Midlands today. Many of the town’s brick and stone buildings were constructed using convict labour, and the National Trust has recognised several structures for their historical value. Wandering the main street feels a bit like stepping through a living timeline of colonial Tasmania, without the crowds or entry fees you’d find at larger heritage sites elsewhere in the state.
Eating in Campbelltown
Campbelltown’s food scene is modest but reliable, built around the needs of travellers passing through. A well-known local bakery serves pies, pastries and coffee that have become something of a tradition for people driving the Midland Highway, and prices remain firmly in budget territory. The town’s historic pub serves straightforward counter meals, a good option if you want a proper sit-down feed without spending much. For a quick and cheap bite, the bakery or a servo-adjacent café will usually do the trick, and there’s rarely a wait even during busier travel weekends.
Accommodation Options in Campbelltown
Because Campbelltown exists largely as a waypoint on the Hobart to Launceston run, its accommodation is geared toward practical, affordable stays rather than resort-style luxury. That works in the budget traveller’s favour.
Budget and Cheapest Options
A couple of straightforward motels along the highway offer clean, no-frills rooms at fair prices, ideal if you just need a comfortable bed before continuing your journey the next day. These are generally the cheapest way to stay overnight in town and rarely require booking far in advance outside of peak holiday periods.
Pub Accommodation
Campbelltown’s historic pub offers accommodation upstairs, a classic Tasmanian country-town option that pairs an affordable room with easy access to a meal and a drink downstairs. It’s a solid choice for solo travellers or couples wanting some local character without paying extra for it.
Family Accommodation
Motel rooms with multiple beds or adjoining rooms are the most practical option for families passing through, offering enough space for an overnight stop without the cost of larger holiday accommodation found in bigger towns.
Long-Stay and Self-Contained Accommodation
A handful of self-contained cottages and B&Bs in and around Campbelltown suit travellers wanting to base themselves in the Midlands for a few days to explore the wider region, including Lake Leake, Ross, and the surrounding farmland. These tend to offer better value the longer you stay.
Airport-Convenient Stays
While Campbelltown itself doesn’t have an airport, its position roughly 50 minutes from Launceston Airport makes it a reasonably priced alternative to staying in Launceston itself, particularly if you’re planning an early flight and want to avoid city accommodation rates.
Booking ahead is wise during the Campbell Town Show and other regional events, when the town’s limited room count fills faster than you might expect for somewhere this size.
Shopping in Campbelltown
Shopping here is low-key and practical rather than a tourist drawcard. The main street has a few local shops selling regional produce, basic supplies, and the occasional craft or antique item worth a browse. It’s not a shopping destination in itself, but it’s a handy spot to stock up on snacks, fuel, or a coffee before continuing along the highway.
Nightlife and Free Fun
Evenings in Campbelltown are quiet, and that’s part of the appeal for budget travellers looking to relax rather than spend. The local pub is the main social hub after dark, offering a low-cost place to grab a drink and chat with locals or fellow travellers. Beyond that, a walk along the Elizabeth River or across the Red Bridge at dusk costs nothing and gives you a good look at the town’s historic buildings lit up in the evening light.
Suggested Budget Itinerary
Start the morning with coffee and a pastry from the local bakery, then take a slow walk down the main street, reading the convict-history plaques and admiring the sandstone buildings. Head to the Red Bridge for a proper look and a few photos, then follow the river path for some fresh air. Grab a simple, affordable lunch at the pub, and in the afternoon consider a short drive out to Lake Leake or Tooms Lake if you have a vehicle, both offering a quiet, scenic contrast to the town itself. Wrap up the day with a counter meal back in town before settling into your motel or pub room for the night, ready to continue north or south the next morning. It’s a simple, satisfying way to experience Campbelltown without spending much at all.