The Bay of Fires—a slice of coastal heaven
Last week, we introduced you to adventuring couple Elise and Dom, whose road trip on the Great Eastern Drive in their vintage Kombi captured our imagination. If you haven’t already read this chapter of Elise and Dom’s story, you really shouldn’t miss it—you can find it here.
Elise and Dom’s Great Eastern Drive Road trip became their ‘best holiday, ever’ and a big part of the reason for that was the idyllic time they spent at the Bay of Fires.
The Bay of Fires is one of those rare holiday destinations that actually lives up to its reputation. This dramatically beautiful piece of coastline, which stretches from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north, is one of the most talked about and photographed places in Tasmania.
Cosy Corner by @sideprjct
But no image can compare with seeing the Bay of Fires for yourself. This is a place of extraordinary beauty and tranquility that has the unique quality of being easily accessible while also feeling like your own private paradise.
As Elise said…
‘During our trip, we had a feeling of total solitude. I thought we’d see lots of other people on our walks and at beaches, but we really felt we had the place to ourselves the whole time.’
Have your own Bay of Fires adventure
Taking your own Bay of Fires road trip couldn’t be easier. Some of the most stunning beaches and bays of the east coast are found in the Bay of Fires Conservation area—and you can reach all of them by car, just a few minutes’ drive from the highway.
A garden for the soul…
The Gardens by @elisecook
One of Elise and Dom’s favourite places on their Great Eastern Drive road trip was The Gardens. This necklace of beautiful beaches is strung along the coastline of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, a short drive from the towns of St Helens and Binalong Bay.
Take a drive along the Gardens Road, and stop along the way to spend time wandering along the sand, lingering over picnic lunches that last the entire afternoon, and soaking up the extraordinary peace and beauty of the Bay of Fires. Finding a perfect beach* here is as easy as parking your car, but some standout locations include:
Jeanneret beach
Jeanneret Beach @sideprjct
This 250m stretch of white sand is bordered by dramatic granite outcrops and is a wonderful beach for walking. Go for a stroll and soak up the great views and east coast sunshine as you laze the day away.
Swimcart beach
Swimcart @sideprjct
Another delightful beach for taking long, leisurely walks and watching the waves roll in. Relax and drink in the incredible views in between exploring, beachcombing and general meandering.
Cosy Corner
Cosy Corner Nth @sideprjct
There are actually two cosy corners linking this stretch of white sand, nestled beneath protective rocky points at each end of the 80-metre beach. Park your car at either end and walk at your leisure, dip your toes in the water or simply curl up on your towel and enjoy the scenery!
You’ll also find stunning beaches at Sloop Lagoon, Taylors Beach, the Gardens Beach and Seatons Cove—so we recommend stocking up your picnic basket with luscious local treats, grabbing a rug and your camera and dedicating a day or more to getting the sand between your toes.
‘When we think back, The Gardens was the place we loved the most. We were right by the water, in this incredible open landscape. Sitting under sparkling starry skies, opening a nice bottle of wine, drinking it by candlelight, taking midnight swims, and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.’
Things to do, places to stay…
St Helens
St Helens by Lisa Kuileburg
The closest major town centre to the Bay of Fires is St Helens. This is the place to stock up on food and fuel. There are no shops or petrol stations past this point apart from Meresta Eatery, so indulge in a bit of shopping before you head to the Bay of Fires. You can find out more about St Helens here.
Beautiful Binalong Bay
Binalong Bay @sideprjct
A ten-minute drive from St Helens will bring you to Binalong Bay—a tranquil beach holiday town located on the edge of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area. The bay here is a postcard-worthy scoop of turquoise water, rimmed with white sand beaches and encircled by holiday houses.
While you could spend an entire day here just staring at the sea, be sure to pay a visit to Meresta Eatery—Binalong Bay’s only restaurant—which offers fabulous views and an inspired menu of fresh local produce.
And if you want a completely different perspective on the Bay of Fires, make your way to the Gulch at Binalong Bay and join Bay of Fires Eco Tours to explore the coast from the sea. You can see our recent journey with Bay of Fires Eco Tours here.
Rooms with a view
@elisecook
Our intrepid road trippers, Elise and Dom, spent their Bay of Fires holiday camping in their Kombi, and waking each morning to the sound of the ocean. While there are beachfront campsites dotted along the Gardens Road, facilities are limited, so if you’re planning to camp, we advise checking the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service website for information before you travel.
Another option is to base yourself in a welcoming cottage, bed and breakfast, five-star retreat or holiday apartment in nearby St Helens or Binalong Bay (many with a stunning ocean view).
One very special option is Pelican Point Sanctuary at St Helens—a luxury retreat located on 87 acres of private land, just a few minutes’ from the Bay of Fires. We recently visited Pelican Point to meet the hosts and take a few snaps—you can see and read about it here.
To find out more about accommodation options for your Bay of Fires holiday, check our Where to stay page and start planning now.
Much more than just a beach holiday
Once you visit the Bay of Fires, you’ll understand why it made such a deep impression on Elise and Dom, and why their time at the Gardens became one of the most memorable and meaningful travel experiences they’d ever had.
Paradise made easy…
To make your Bay of Fires holiday planning even easier, simply copy and paste our travel tips into your itinerary, and you’re on your way!
1. Getting there
Take the Binalong Bay Road from St Helens (C850) and turn left at the sign that reads ‘The Gardens 13kms’ (C848), just before you reach Binalong Bay. Take your time driving along this road, making sure to stop and explore the gorgeous beaches and coastline of the Gardens.
2. Exploring
Visit the beaches along the Gardens Road, including Jeanneret, Swimcart and Cosy Corner; see the Bay of Fires from the water and encounter fantastic marine life with Bay of Fires Eco Tours and explore the east coast towns of Binalong Bay and St Helens.
3. Where to stay
There are great accommodation options in St Helens and Binalong Bay, right on the doorstep of the Bay of Fires. For a special accommodation experience, try Pelican Point, or check our Where to stay page to find your favourite.
4. Eating
Try Meresta in Binalong Bay for contemporary dining, or take your pick of restaurants and cafes in St Helens. Make sure you visit the fish punts on the St Helens waterfront for fresh, locally-caught seafood.
*NOTE: The beaches of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area are unpatrolled and ocean conditions here are variable. At times, strong currents and rips can occur, so make sure you check local conditions and stay safe.
Read the other chapters here
- Chapter 3: Where to find the most romantic beaches of the Great Eastern Drive > read it here
- Chapter 1: How to have the coastal road trip of a lifetime on the Great Eastern Drive > read it here
Start planning
- To begin planning your own east coast adventure, start exploring here.
