Bay of Fires

StartClick to Reverse the Dynamic Map and Driving NotesSt Helens
FinishThe Gardens
DifficultyDifficulty 1/5
Suitable For2WD Motorhome/Van Motorbike 
Distance45.54 km
Minimum Days1
Average Speed42.76 km/hr
Travel Time1 hr 3 mins
Page Updated: 21 Oct 2021

Description

This trek note takes in the southern Bay of Fires section between Binalong Bay and The Gardens. The trek also takes you through the Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area, where you can go on one of the many bushwalking tracks ranging from 1 to 6 hours long, and visiting places such as Skeleton, Grants and Humbug Point. Some of these walking trails are close to the coast and it always seems surreal walking through the bush and being able to hear the ocean!

The major highlights of this trek includes; the historic fishing and timber town of St Helens, the secluded Dora Point, the lovely Cosy Corner and without doubt - the picture-perfect Binalong Bay. Binalong Bay is up there with Tasmania’s best beaches, offering hourglass-fine white sand, azure blue waters and granite rocks - which are speckled with orange lichen that gives the view an attractive glow. These rocks are nicely rounded and protrude above the water on low tides - a photographer’s delight! Binalong Bay also offers an array of accommodation, fishing and diving facilities, and a general store and cafe.

To the northern end of the trek is a small town called The Gardens, named by Lady Jane Franklin, the wife of Governor John Franklin, who spent some time in the region in the 1840s. If you go out to The Gardens, you will need to double back a bit to pick up the track. There are sweeping views of the coastline to the north, good (unpatrolled) swimming beaches, lots of rock pools to explore and orange lichen-covered boulders to climb over and paddle between. Within the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, there are heaps of free camping spots with most overlooking the beach, and being a conservation area, rather than a national park - you can even bring your dog!!

How to Use this Trek Note

  • To download this information and the route file for offline use on a phone, tablet, headunit or laptop, go to the app store and purchase ExplorOz Traveller. This app enables offline navigation and mapping and will show where you are as you travel along the route. For more info see the ExplorOz Traveller webpage and the EOTopo webpage.

TIP

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Environment

The beaches in the Bay of Fires are pristine white in colour, whilst the ocean backdrop ranges from an azure bluey-green. There are many rocky outcrops that are scattered with super-sized granite boulders covered in bright orange lichen.

In regards to flora within the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, you will find heath, which attracts a large number of birds, including yellow-tailed black cockatoos, wattlebirds and honeyeaters. Coastal and sea birds include the spectacular white-breasted sea eagle, gannets, petrels and even the occasional albatross.

During the Spring wildflower season, the area is ablaze with colour. The distinct yellow cones of Banksia marginata are a common sight. Early European explorers observed that Aboriginal people would pluck the flowers and suck them to extract rainwater and nectar. The yellow fleshy fruit of pigface (Carpobrotus rossii) was also considered to be a delicacy.

History

Bay of Fires was given to the area by Captain Tobias Furneaux, in 1773, when he noticed numerous fires along the coast. This led him to believe that the country was densely populated. Abundant evidence of this occupation by Aboriginal people can be seen along the coast today.

Just 20km from Binalong Bay is an area known as The Gardens, named by Lady Jane Franklin, the wife of Governor John Franklin, who spent some time in the region in the 1840s.

TrekID: 167

Preparation

MUST READ: You are strongly encouraged to read the following articles prepared by the knowledge experts at ExplorOz for your safety and preparation before undertaking any published ExplorOz Trek - Outback Safety, Outback Driving Tips, Outback Communications, and Vehicle Setup for the Outback.

TIP

Please refer to Road Reports published by the local shire and/or main roads for the area you intend to visit. Road/Track conditions can change significantly after weather events. Travellers must be responsible for their own research on current conditions and track suitability.
The majority of this trek note is on good bitumen roads or gravel tracks that head towards the many beaches and coves en-route. Please note that food and fuel must be obtained from St Helens, so make sure you stock up because there are very limited supplies and/or facilities to the north.

In the southern section of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, there is no fresh water or firewood supplied at any of the campsites; therefore you must bring your own. Please take all rubbish away with you. For camping with facilities, please use the commercial caravan parks in the townships.

Permits

No permits are required for Bay of Fires Conservation Area or the Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area. Please be aware that Aboriginal middens (shell and bone deposits) are found in the sand dunes. Please do not disturb these protected sites.

For more information for the region please click: Bay of Fires Conservation Area - Southern Section or contact:

St. Helens Field Centre

Eagle Street
PO Box 353
St. Helens TAS 7216
Phone: (03) 6376 1550
Fax: (03) 6376 1258

Fuel Usage

DieselULPLPG
4cyl 6 litres4cyl 7 litres4cyl 9 litres
6cyl 7 litres6cyl 8 litres6cyl 8 litres
8cyl 7 litres8cyl 8 litres
Usage is averaged from recorded data (* specific to this trek) and calculated based on trek distance.

Best Time To Visit

All year round

Closest Climatic Station

St Helens Aerodrome
Distance from Trek Mid Point 10.37km S
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mean Max. °C22.721.820.818.416.013.913.514.315.917.319.321.0
Mean Min. °C13.213.311.59.67.15.44.85.46.57.810.311.5
Mean Rain mm50.764.264.258.245.861.046.270.552.665.670.647.9
    Best time to travel      Ok time to travel      Travel NOT recommended

Map

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Directions

St Helens to George River
Driving: 2.21 km
Heading: 63°
Avg Speed: 55.95 km/hr
EST Time: 02:22
George River to Bayview
Driving: 0.85 km
Heading:
Avg Speed: 64.34 km/hr
EST Time: 00:47
Bayview to Walk Track to Dora Point
Driving: 5.79 km
Heading: 34°
Avg Speed: 50.63 km/hr
EST Time: 06:51
Walk Track to Dora Point to Binalong Bay Rd & Gardens Rd
Driving: 2.67 km
Heading: 359°
Avg Speed: 43.15 km/hr
EST Time: 03:42
Binalong Bay Rd & Gardens Rd to Binalong Bay Rd & Dora Point Rd
Driving: 2.76 km
Heading: 83°
Avg Speed: 45.08 km/hr
EST Time: 03:40
Binalong Bay Rd & Dora Point Rd to Dora Point
Driving: 1.81 km
Heading: 147°
Avg Speed: 44.55 km/hr
EST Time: 02:26
Dora Point to Dora Point Campground
Driving: 0.48 km
Heading: 214°
Avg Speed: 12.95 km/hr
EST Time: 02:13
Dora Point Campground to Binalong Bay Rd & Dora Point Rd
Driving: 2.45 km
Heading: 342°
Avg Speed: 35.9 km/hr
EST Time: 04:05
Binalong Bay Rd & Dora Point Rd to Binalong Bay Rd & Grants Point Access
Driving: 1.5 km
Heading: 17°
Avg Speed: 37.49 km/hr
EST Time: 02:24
Binalong Bay Rd & Grants Point Access to Walk Tracks to Grants Point
Driving: 1.57 km
Heading: 79°
Avg Speed: 49.86 km/hr
EST Time: 01:53
Walk Tracks to Grants Point to Grants Point
Driving: 0.03 km
Heading: 36°
Avg Speed: 49.86 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Grants Point to Skeleton Bay Trailhead
Driving: 0.97 km
Heading: 166°
Avg Speed: 39.92 km/hr
EST Time: 01:27
Skeleton Bay Trailhead to Walk Tracks to Skeleton Point
Driving: 1.44 km
Heading: 314°
Avg Speed: 29.78 km/hr
EST Time: 02:54
Walk Tracks to Skeleton Point to Binalong Bay Rd & Grants Point Access
Driving: 1 km
Heading: 231°
Avg Speed: 42.26 km/hr
EST Time: 01:25
Binalong Bay Rd & Grants Point Access to Binalong Bay
Driving: 1.43 km
Heading: 317°
Avg Speed: 36.91 km/hr
EST Time: 02:19
Binalong Bay to Boat Harbour Point
Driving: 0.04 km
Heading: 351°
Avg Speed: 20.41 km/hr
EST Time: N/A
Boat Harbour Point to Binalong Bay Rd & Gardens Rd
Driving: 2.94 km
Heading: 222°
Avg Speed: 46.2 km/hr
EST Time: 03:49
Binalong Bay Rd & Gardens Rd to Cosy corner south
Driving: 5.4 km
Heading: 352°
Avg Speed: 59.07 km/hr
EST Time: 05:29
Cosy corner south to Cosy Corner North Camping Area
Driving: 1.63 km
Heading: 348°
Avg Speed: 35.02 km/hr
EST Time: 02:47
Cosy Corner North Camping Area to Seaton Cove
Driving: 1.73 km
Heading: 355°
Avg Speed: 28.12 km/hr
EST Time: 03:41
Seaton Cove to Sloop Lagoon Camp Area
Driving: 0.54 km
Heading: 333°
Avg Speed: 23.74 km/hr
EST Time: 01:21
Sloop Lagoon Camp Area to Sloop Lagoon, Gardens Rd
Driving: 1.41 km
Heading: 294°
Avg Speed: 38.13 km/hr
EST Time: 02:13
Sloop Lagoon, Gardens Rd to Big Lagoon, Gardens Rd
Driving: 2.86 km
Heading: 354°
Avg Speed: 68.54 km/hr
EST Time: 02:30
Big Lagoon, Gardens Rd to Gardens Rd & Old Gardens Rd
Driving: 0.43 km
Heading: 334°
Avg Speed: 60.83 km/hr
EST Time: 00:25
Gardens Rd & Old Gardens Rd to The Gardens
Driving: 1.6 km
Heading: 41°
Avg Speed: 50.26 km/hr
EST Time: 01:54
Distance is based on the travel mode shown (Driving, Straight, Cycling, Walking etc), Direction is straight line from start to end, Avg Speed & EST Time is calculated from GPS data.

What to See

Facilities

Where to Stay

Services & Supplies

No Services & Supplies available for this trek

Wildflowers

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