051 - Visit Australia’s Bay of Fires

 Mt William National Park, TAS

What does the word “pristine” mean when you apply it to a beach? Pristine white sand perhaps – really white in this case. Pristine water – clean, clear, sparkling blue, clashing beautifully with the gorgeous white sand. Pristine would also mean no rubbish on the beach, and no pollution. And not many people.

We’re not – with the best will in the world - describing Bondi now, or Surfers Paradise, or even Bells. We’re describing the dramatic Bay of Fires, on the northeastern tip of Tasmania in Mt William National Park, a veritable feast of fauna and flora, replete with the largest population of eastern grey kangaroos in Tassie.

“The long stroll along the beaches of the Bay of Fires is topped only by the sheer architectural beauty of the Bay of Fires Lodge.”
- Tony Wheeler

Looking north from the park, atop Mount William, you’re afforded a superb view of the old land bridge – now mostly submerged – that Aboriginal tribes would have used to cross to Tasmania from the mainland. The remnants are the islands of the Furneaux Group, the largest of which is Flinders Island.

Euan Ferguson, writing in the London Observer, says of the Bay of Fires: “It is so remote, so beautiful, that I don’t want anyone else to know its precise location.” Yet another excellent reason to spend some happy, clean days in the island state.

Did you know?
The Bay was given its name by early explorers sailing by who saw the fires of the Indigenous people on the beaches.

How to get there
Qantas regular flights to Launceston from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, while Virgin Blue flies from Perth, Broome, Darwin and most airports on the Eastern Seaboard.

Located north-east of Launceston, the Bay of Fires can be reached by back roads from Gladstone.

Best time to go
Anytime, but always be prepared for cold, wet weather.

Further information
Useful websites:

www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/index.cfm?siteid=152&display=product&productid=9000365
Tourism Tasmania website with info on the Bay of Fires

www.parks.tas.gov.au/reserves/bayoffires/index.html
Parks & Wildlife Service website with info on the Bay of Fires Conservation Area

www.parks.tas.gov.au/natparks/mtwilliam/index.html
Parks & Wildlife Service website with info on Mt William National Park

www.bayoffires.com.au/firefrme.html
Info on 4-day guided walk in Mt William National Park compiled by the Bay of Fires Lodge