What is the Bay of Fires in Tasmania?
The Bay of Fires is a stretch of coastline in northeast Tasmania famous for white sand beaches, clear blue water and granite boulders covered in bright orange lichen.
The coast runs from Binalong Bay north to Eddystone Point, a distance of about 50 kilometres. Its boulders are coloured by orange lichen, which creates a striking contrast with the turquoise sea.
English navigator Tobias Furneaux named the bay in 1773 after seeing many fires burning along the shore. The fires were lit by the Aboriginal people who lived in the area.
Things to do
Visitors enjoy swimming, snorkelling, fishing, kayaking and camping. Binalong Bay is the main settlement, and free campgrounds lie along the coast in the Bay of Fires Conservation Area.
The Bay of Fires Lodge Walk is a guided multi-day walk along the coast and through Mount William National Park. The northern end of the coast has the Eddystone Point Lighthouse, built in 1889.
The area has often appeared in lists of the world's best beaches and destinations. Nearby St Helens is the main town for supplies and is known for game fishing.
Did You Know?
Middens of shells left by Aboriginal people over thousands of years can be found along the coast.