I thought the east coast of Tasmania was picturesque, however I had no idea what was in store for me once we arrived at the Bay of Fires coastline on the north eastern coast. Bay of Fires indeed! It was afire with some of the most spectacular beaches and orange lichen covered granite boulders I have seen anywhere in the world!!
The Bay of Fires, so called because explorers from the ship saw fires blazing lit by native Aborigines, when they passed these shores, extends from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point. However we were only able to travel on sealed roads as far as The Gardens then the road is gravel to Eddystone Point.
A small coastal town and the starting point for the Bay of Fires region with a small population, mainly consisting of holiday homes and shacks. It is popular for all types of water activities including boating, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and sailing.
Binalong Bay Sign
There isn’t much in the way of shops or eateries in Binalong Bay except for a general store and the Binalong Bay Cafe which boasts a large deck overlooking the bay. The nearest shops and services are at St Helens which is 25Km south of Binalong Bay.
Binalong Bay Beach
Accommodation in Binalong Bay consists of holiday home rentals, but further north there are plenty of great free camping areas situated right on the beach.
Binalong Bay Beach
The water clarity is crystal clear.
Lichen covered rocks in the clear water
There are free campsites north of Binalong Bay including:
Cosy Corner Camping Ground
A short walk to the beach revealed these treasures:
Bay of Fires Beach at Cosy Corner
The campsites at Bay Of Fires are pretty much as good as you will find, made all the more remarkable by virtue of the fact of this unbelievable location. You can stay for up to four weeks for free, but there are no facilities apart from pit toilets.
Bay of Fires Beach
The granite rock formations are amazing.
Bay of Fires Granite Boulders
This rock looks as though someone has painted it orange.
Bay of Fires Orange Boulder
The drive further north towards The Gardens is one that I remember oohing and aahing as we followed the coastline along with the most stunning scenery I have ever seen unfolding before my eyes. It literally took my breath away!
Beach at The Gardens
The beach is long with the whitest sand I have ever seen, pure aqua waters with pale green coastal grasses flickering in the wind.
The Gardens Beach
The Gardens has a smattering of gorgeous beach houses along the beachfront and then verdant green farmlands to the west.
The Gardens
There are rock pools like these everywhere.
Rock Pool at The Gardens
And long white sanded stretches of beaches like these.
The Gardens long stretch of beach
Bay of Fires is around 200Kms north of Hobart and 100Kms east of Launceston. Further north of the Bay of Fires coast is the Mt William National Park where there is even more scenic coastline with granite boulders and long sandy beaches.
This slice of absolute heaven was a big highlight of our Tassie trip and I am going to go out on a limb and say, forget Wineglass Bay or Whitehaven Beach, these beaches are the best I’ve seen in the world!
Comments are closed.
Paula McInerney
January 16, 2016It has been a while since we were down in Tassie. Must rectify that this year. Nice photos and great inspiration
Kathy
January 16, 2016Thanks Paula. I thought the Bay of Fires was a gorgeous, pristine and virtually untouched area in Tasmania. I could have taken a thousand photos and still not touched the surface. Magical! :)
corinnevail
January 16, 2016Oh stop it you! I’m already gutted I haven’t been to Tasmania…and these photos! Ouch! I need to go! Beautiful!
Kathy
January 17, 2016Tasmania is a wonderland of undiscovered treasures for sure! I loved every bit of it. :)
corinnevail
January 20, 2016Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration! Hope to see you next week as well!
Kathy
January 20, 2016Thanks Corinne. I’m off on a cruise for a couple of weeks but will link up again when I return. :)
budgettraveltalk
January 16, 2016Was that your van at Cosy Corner. The water clarity is wonderful – a pity it was too cold to swim as it looks so inviting.
Kathy
January 17, 2016Ha ha, the Wicked van – No! However the campervan we rented wasn’t much bigger and was not at all comfortable for two people. Yes the wind was freezing even though we had blue skies. My husband had a dip though because the water was just too tempting!
Sally@Toddlers on Tour
January 17, 2016Gotta love free camp sites in such a stunning location, even if it is with a toilet.
Kathy
January 17, 2016These free camps at The Bay of Fires were some of the best I’ve ever seen. Lovely shady areas right near the beautiful beaches. Superb!
InsideJourneys
January 18, 2016Wow, wow, wow, how absolutely stunning! I love how clear the water is and how deserted the beaches are. I’m in love with Tasmania!!
Kathy
January 18, 2016Tasmania is extremely easy to fall in love with! It is one of the most pristine and untouched beach areas I have been to in the world. :)
Ruth
January 18, 2016This place is beyond amazing! I was reading a story of what a place to visit on 2016. I think these pictures speak more than the article.
Kathy
January 18, 2016Thank you Ruth. I was too utterly blown away by the remarkable beauty of The Bay of Fires. I could not stop clicking the shutter button on my camera! :)
marievonow
January 19, 2016What lovely photos, Kathy. I visited Tassie many years ago but didn’t go to Bay of Fires. I loved what I did see of Tasmania.
Kathy
January 20, 2016The photos are truly magical. I’m so glad that we included The Bay of Fires on our Tassie itinerary. It was my favourite part.:)