Ultimate Guide to Kelso Tasmania: Things To Do, Accommodation, And More

Kelso is a small rural town in Tasmania, Australia. The town is about 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) north of Beaconsfield and has a population of 146 making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts. It is located on Kelso Bay which is a small bay on the Tamar River.

Kelso was originally known as “Kelsalls Bay” or “Kelsalls Point” and it was named after William Kelsall, the first European inhabitant of the district, who arrived at the town in 1804. It is believed that the name of the Town is a derivative of “Kelsall”.

The Friend Point, on the northeast corner of the town, is also believed to be named after Lieutenant Matthew Friend, a former Royal Navy officer who held various positions in northern Tasmania from 1832.

Kelso is a popular spot for a lot of water activities like fishing, swimming, kayaking, and even camping. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the peace of the Tasmanian countryside. It’s not less than heaven if you are a nature enthusiast and love exploring places with so much of scenic nature views.

The town has no shops or restaurants so you have to take your own food if you are planning to explore the place. The main place where you can meet other travelers is the Big4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park.

Kelso Tasmania is a perfect place if you want to spend some quality time with your loved ones while having a little adventure by exploring nearby places. As the place doesn’t have that much of amenities, you will feel more connected to nature.

Here, we have shared a detailed guide to Kelso Tasmania which includes everything from popular tourist attractions to where to stay.

Kelso Tasmania Map

Kelso, Tasmania, is located about 59 kilometers or a 50-minute drive northwest of Launceston. The quickest way to get there is by taking the A8 road from Launceston toward George Town, crossing the Tamar River at the Batman Bridge, and then continuing on the A7 to Kelso. This route not only gets you there faster but also treats you to some nice views along the way.

Kelso Tasmania Weather

Kelso is located by the side of the Tamar River, which gives you both scenic and pretty coastal views of nature. The weather in Kelso is a mix of warm days, cool nights, and sometimes a bit of rain, making it an interesting place to visit.

In Kelso, the weather changes throughout the year. It’s usually warmer in summer, ranging from around 11 to 23 degrees Celsius, while in the middle of winter, it tends to be cooler, with temperatures between 6 and 13 degrees Celsius. Winter is the season when it’s most likely to rain.

Here is detailed information on Kelso Tasmania Weather

• Summer (December to February): Usually in summer, Kelso has warm days with highs reaching the mid-70s°F (around 24°C). You can expect sunny skies with occasional showers, especially in February.
• Autumn (March to May): Autumn is the season in which temperatures dip a bit, settling in the mid-60s°F (around 18°C). The days get shorter, and the nights get chillier, and there is always a chance of light rain, a kind of drizzle.
• Winter (June to August): Winter season has the coolest months in Kelso, with average highs in the mid-50s°F (around 13°C). The days begin with crisp mornings, and clear skies, with some occasional spells of rain or showers.
• Spring (September to November): In Spring, the warmer days gradually return, with temperatures rising to the mid-60s°F (around 18°C). You will have long sunny days which will remind you that summer is around the corner.

Things To Do In Kelso Tasmania

Relax on Kelso Beach

Being located at Nawash Park, Kelso Beach is a great spot to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. It’s an ideal spot to take a break from your busy everyday life and just chill out with your loved ones.

Whether you want to sunbathe, go for a swim, or build sandcastles with your kids, Kelso Beach has something for everyone. You can also try swimming, kayaking, or even surfing if you want to try something adventurous.

The best thing about Kelso Beach is its peace and calmness. It’s the perfect place to forget about your worries and have some fun.

Explore Seahorse Farm

Just a 15-minute drive from Kelso, you’ll find Seahorse World. It’s a commercial seahorse farm that offers detailed guided tours to visitors where they explain to you the whole process of what exactly they do on the Farm.

During this 45-minute tour, you will explore different rooms on the farm and discover many fascinating facts about the seahorses. The tour also includes a look at the breeding tanks, the nursery, and the primary and secondary seahorse tanks where they move the baby seahorses as they grow.

If you have a little bit of interest in sealife, then this one is a must-visit place for you.

Hike the Narawntapu National Park

Narawntapu National Park is just a few miles from Green Beach and is quite close to Kelso. The park is home to various wildlife like kangaroos, pademelons, and wallabies. It has many beautiful beaches where you can walk along the coastline from Green Beach to Port Sorell.

The beaches are stunning, untouched, and usually not very crowded. If you’re up for a full day of exploring, then you can try walking from Bakers Beach to Green Beach within Narawntapu Park.

Keep in mind that since it’s a national park, there’s an entry fee. You can buy a day pass at the booth when you enter the park.

If you are feeling a little adventurous, then you can try climbing the Archers Knob, which is the highest point in the park.

Tour the Platypus House

Platypus House is just 15 minutes drive from Kelso and it is located right next to Seahorse World. It’s another great place to visit and know more about the sea life. I highly recommend you book a guided tour in advance to avoid any inconvenience.

This place is a fantastic opportunity if anyone wants to learn more about and get close to platypuses and echidnas.

The tour begins with a quick introduction to both creatures. Then, you’ll enter a large room with big tanks that is basically the house of the platypuses. You get plenty of time to observe these fascinating creatures before moving on to the next room where you can get up close to echidnas.

It’s truly an amazing experience to see these creatures and know how interesting they are. Overall, Platypus House is a great educational place to visit.

Walk on Green Beach

Green Beach is a charming little town, that is just an eight-minute drive northwest of Kelso and is located at the mouth of the Tamar River. The beaches here are quite lovely, even more so than in Kelso(that’s what I feel), making the short drive worthwhile.

If you’re interested in surfing, you can take lessons at the beach. The place has toilets, changing rooms, a playground, and fitness equipment, making it a really nice place to spend time and relax.

Explore Kelso Bay by Kayak

Kelso Bay is a beautiful place to explore by kayak. The water remains calm and sheltered, making it a perfect spot for paddlers(even if you are a newbie). You can paddle along the coastline, and stop to explore hidden beaches.

If you’re new to kayaking, you can take a guided tour to see the beautiful Kelso Bay. This is a great way to learn the basics while knowing great things about the area. If you’re more experienced, you can rent a kayak and explore the bay on your own.

To be true, kayaking in Kelso Bay is a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Tour the York Town Historic Site

York Town Historic Site is just a 7-minute drive away to the south of Kelso, and you’ll probably pass by it on your way into town. It’s the fifth oldest settlement in Australia, which was established in 1804, after Sydney. During its peak, around 300 people used to live here.

However there are no ruins left, you can still visit the site and see how it used to be back in that era. The place has a public toilet and picnic facilities, along with some information boards.

The leftover wooden structure gives you an idea of how the buildings used to look back at that time. Overall it’s an interesting place to explore and learn some history of the Town.

Kelso Accommodation Tasmania | Where to Stay in Kelso Tasmania

The only accommodation that you can have in Kelso Tasmania is the Big4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park. However, if you explore the nearby towns then you can have a lot of options.

Big4 Kelso Sands Holiday & Native Wildlife Park

The only place to stay in Kelso, Tasmania, is the Big4 Kelso Sands Holiday Park. It’s located just beside the Tamar River which is north of Kelso. The park offers affordable cabins and cottages, along with two and three-bedroom options.

In the summer, you can use the pool, playground, and sports areas. They also have the usual facilities like bathrooms and a kitchen.

It’s an easy and calm place to stay, perfect for a relaxing time.