All You Need to Know About The Bay of Fires in Tasmania
The Bay of Fires in Tasmania is where rolling green pasture meets white sand and orange lichen-covered boulders. It’s where the water is both crystal clear and a stunning shade of turquoise that fades into a deep blue. Where the air is so pristine that you consider bottling it to take home.
One could make the assumption that the Bay of Fires was given its name due to the bright orange lichen-covered rocks I just mentioned. However, many sources say the Bay of Fires was named in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux. He reportedly named it after seeing the fires of local Aboriginal people on the beaches.
Either way, the Bay of Fires Tasmania is stunning and you should absolutely holiday there!
We’ve created a one-stop guide to the Bay of Fires Tasmania to help you plan your family holiday. Keep reading…
Where is The Bay of Fires Tasmania and How to Get There
Well, first you’re going to need to make your way to Tasmania. At around 2 hours 40 minutes from Launceston and 3 hours 30 minutes from Hobart, it doesn’t really matter which city you fly into. If you arrive in Tasmania via the ferry it takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes from Devonport.
The Bay of Fires is located on the east coast of Tasmania. It extends around 50km from Binalong Bay in the South to Eddystone Point in the North. If you don’t have your own vehicle, it’s easy enough to hire a car. However, you will need to organise this before you leave.
Where can I stay at The Bay of Fires
For extremely comfortable accommodation in the Bay of Fires Tasmania area, read our article on Bay of Fires Accommodation here.
If camping is more your style or budget, there is free camping available in the Bay of Fires Conservation area. You can even stay here for up to four weeks! Policemans Point campground can be found in the Northern section south of Anson Bay. The Southern section is located north of Binalong Bay up to The Gardens. Campgrounds here include Sloop Reef, Seatons Cover, Cosy South, Cosy North, Jeanneret, Swimcart and Grants Lagoon.
For more information on the campsites at The Bay of Fires Tasmania, head to Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Services website. This page lists the facilities that each campsite features so you can make sure to find one that suits you. Make sure you read this as not all of the campsites have toilets.
Things to do at The Bay of Fires Tasmania
Hang out at Binalong Bay
Binalong Bay is considered the main beach for the Bay of Fires Tasmania and it is nothing short of stunning. It’s a great spot for swimming and surfing. For those of you travelling with older kids, there is also good snorkelling and diving around the offshore reefs.
Swim in Rockpools
The area around Sloop Reef on the Bay of Fires Tasmania has some great rock pools to swim in as well as secluded, white-sand beaches. The headland is higher here than other areas, making it particularly scenic. If you plan to camp, this is a great spot!
Kayak Anson Bay Lagoon
Ansons Bay is found in the northern end of the Bay of Fires Tasmania, a quiet area known for fishing and boating. The Anson Bay Lagoon here is an ideal spot for some easy peasy kayaking.
Walk Barefoot Along White Sand Beaches
Although there are more exciting things to do here, this is by far my favourite thing to do at the Bay of Fires Tasmania. The boulders you see in the photograph below keep the kids occupied as you stroll and it’s not uncommon to have the whole place to yourself.
Experience a Beautiful Bay of Fires Sunrise and Sunset
You probably already know the Bay of Fires Tasmania is incredibly scenic. Well, watching both the sunrise and sunset just takes it to a whole new level.
Join a Guided Tour
Join in on a guided tour to make the most of your Bay of Fires Tasmania holiday. This will allow you to learn from an expert and experience the best the region has to offer. Head out on a boat tour with Bay of Fires Eco Tours, an adventure with a Secret River Gem Hunting Tour, or a 4WD tour with Tas4x4.
Explore The Gardens
You will find The Gardens at the end of the sealed road heading north from Binalong Bay. It’s an amazing place to drive along and explore and features one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bay of Fires as well as bird nesting sites. Here you will find large properties with cows and horses grazing on lush green grass right next to the stunning shoreline.
Ride the St Helens Mountian Bike Trails
For those of you travelling with your bikes, make sure to check out St Helens Mountain Bike Trails, featuring trails for both enthusiasts and those looking for a day out with the family. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to ride some of the most scenic trails in the world.
Credit – Stu Gibson
Snorkel at Skeleton Bay Reserve
While it’s not quite as pretty as The Gardens, Skeleton Bay Reserve is perfect for swimming and snorkelling as it’s sheltered from swell by the rocks. It’s also less crowded than the main beach at Binalong Bay, a little further up the coast.
Take in The Views
A holiday to Bay of Fires Tasmania makes for great photo opportunities. Enjoy the views from the headland at The Gardens or from the viewing platform at Binalong Bay. Don’t forget your camera!
Visiting Eddystone Point Lighthouse
Just north of Ansons Bay you will find Eddystone Point and its historic lighthouse. Although looking north from The Gardens you can spot this lighthouse around 18km away, there is no direct road from here. You need to take the inland road but it isn’t all bad as along the way you can check out the shack community of Ansons Bay and the beaches at Policeman’s Point.
Spend Your Time Beach Hopping
As that the Bay of Fires Tasmania is ridiculously beautiful, why wouldn’t you want to spend your time beach hopping or surfing? The Bay of Fires is not one long stretch of stunning beach, it’s actually a lot of beautiful beaches broken up by the rocky coastline. One of the most enjoyable things to do here is to leisurely drive the coastline, pulling over and hopping out wherever you please to find your own deserted cove paradise.
Visiting The Bay of Fires Tasmania With Kids
The Bay of Fires in Tasmania is ideal for kids of all ages. At the ages of two years and nearly five, my kids had the best time climbing over the large smooth boulders and playing in the sand.
There is plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities to occupy them. Older kids will enjoy the scenery, snorkelling, swimming and surfing opportunities.
Planning and booking your holiday to Tasmania
National Parks Pass:
A National Park entrance fee is required to visit most parks in Tasmania. You can buy a single-day pass or if you are exploring more of Tassie, an eight-week pass that gets a whole family into all of Tasmania’s National Parks is better value for money. Passes can be purchased here.
More information:
Check out the official Tourism Tasmania page for more information on great places to visit in Tasmania.
Getting to Tasmania:
Search on Trip.com for the best deals to Tasmania. Flights are available from most capital cities into either Hobart or Launceston.
Alternatively, you can also come across by boat on the Spirit of Tasmania. If you choose to come across by boat, you can bring your own vehicle.
Accommodation in Tasmania:
Accommodation in Tasmania is varied and there are options from budget to luxury. Find a great deal here.
Getting around Tasmania:
Compare rental car prices here.
Looking for more awesome family holiday destinations?
For more information on visiting Tassie with kids, browse our Tasmania page. Alternatively, head back to the home page for inspiration on destinations and activities in Australia and worldwide.
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