Why was it called the Bay of Fires?

A sailor saw Aboriginal fires on shore

What boosted the bay's fame in 2009?

A travel guide named it a top destination

Bay of Fires Quiz: Tasmania's Orange Lichen Granite Coast

This Bay of Fires quiz wanders the white beaches of northeast Tasmania. Play 10 interactive questions on the orange lichen on granite rocks, how Tobias Furneaux named the bay in 1773 after Aboriginal fires, Binalong Bay, Eddystone Point lighthouse, Mount William National Park, multi-day guided walks, clear turquoise water and its 2009 rise to fame.

Start Bay of Fires Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Where
Where is the Bay of Fires?
Color
What gives the rocks their bright orange color?
Rock
What rock are the boulders made of?
Name
Why was it called the Bay of Fires?
Sailor
Which British captain named the bay?
Town
Which small town is at its southern end?
Light
Which lighthouse is near the bay's northern end?
Park
Which national park lies to the north?
Walk
How do many visitors explore the coast?
Fame
What boosted the bay's fame in 2009?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Where is the Bay of Fires?
Answer: Northeast Tasmania
It runs north from Binalong Bay.
Q2: What gives the rocks their bright orange color?
Answer: Lichen
It grows on the granite.
Q3: What rock are the boulders made of?
Answer: Granite
It is very old and hard.
Q4: Why was it called the Bay of Fires?
Answer: A sailor saw Aboriginal fires on shore
The name dates to 1773.
Q5: Which British captain named the bay?
Answer: Tobias Furneaux
He sailed with Cook's second voyage.
Q6: Which small town is at its southern end?
Answer: Binalong Bay
It has holiday homes and beaches.
Q7: Which lighthouse is near the bay's northern end?
Answer: Eddystone Point
It is built of pink granite.
Q8: Which national park lies to the north?
Answer: Mount William National Park
Forester kangaroos live there.
Q9: How do many visitors explore the coast?
Answer: On multi-day guided walks
Walkers stay in eco lodges.
Q10: What boosted the bay's fame in 2009?
Answer: A travel guide named it a top destination
Visitor numbers grew afterward.

Orange Lichen and White Sand Beaches

The Bay of Fires stretches along the northeast coast of Tasmania, from Binalong Bay north toward Eddystone Point. Its granite boulders are splashed with bright orange lichen, contrasting with white sand and turquoise water to create one of Australia's most photographed coastlines.

In 1773 British captain Tobias Furneaux, sailing on James Cook's second voyage, saw many fires burning along the shore. They were lit by Aboriginal people, and he named the area the Bay of Fires. Shell middens along the coast show thousands of years of Aboriginal life there.

At the northern end, Mount William National Park shelters Forester kangaroos, and Eddystone Point lighthouse is built of pink granite. Many visitors explore on multi-day guided walks. In 2009 a travel guide named the bay a top destination, bringing wider attention to this quiet coast.

What This Quiz Teaches

Travel fans will enjoy these questions.

Where the bay is
Why the rocks are orange
How it got its name
Which places sit nearby
How visitors explore it

Did You Know?

The water is clear but cool for swimming.
Free camping areas sit behind some beaches.
St Helens is the nearest larger town.
Dolphins and seabirds are often seen offshore.
The lichen grows best in clean, salty air.