Bay of Fires, Queens Birthday Weekend, June 2013

It was a long weekend, and we had two free days, so we thought we should get away.  How about the Bay of Fires, long heard about but never visited?  So off we went.  Leaving home at 11.30am (we had to watch The Insiders, and have a decent coffee first!), our first stop was the delectable Hill St Grocer for some supplies, and then we hit the road.  It was a pleasant drive up the East Coast, on a beautiful sunny and clear winter's day.

By 1.30pm we were approaching Swansea, which is looking pretty prosperous these days.  Ditto Bicheno, where we drove to the carpark at the jetty for a picnic with a view. There were several people fishing off the jetty, and a Dad teaching his sons how to snorkel.  Yes, they had wetsuits on, but he wasn't going in.

After lunch we returned to the Post Office Shop, to see what goodies Subi had for sale, but it was closed for the weekend of course.  We set off northwards again, arriving at St Helen's at 4pm.

When we turned right towards Binalong Bay, I thought I recognised the back of my Hobart friend Sally W, admiring the clothes in a trendy boutique.  Later I learned that it HAD been her (it's a small world!) (and isn't it fascinating how unique we all are, that I could recognise her in an unexpected setting, from her back?).  We checked out the holiday homes in Binalong Bay, and then headed northwards along the pretty coast road.  There are several turnoffs to the right, and we chose the one to Cosy Corners North. Here we found a quiet little camping spot, with sandy roads, and lovely little turnouts for tents and vans.  We chose a spot suitably quiet and private, with a view out towards the beach.  Only in Tassie...

We settled in, and went for a walk along the beach.  The beach here was lovely, with pure white sand, and friendly round granite boulders.

We found a small beach pool near our campsite.

Then it was time for champers, to celebrate our good fortune.  Our neighbours were friendly, and it was all pretty peaceful.  The campsite was popular but not full, which was nice.


After a leisurely start the next morning, we drove north again.  This road goes through a tiny settlement called The Gardens (which has some very comfortable looking weekenders), and ends at the southern end of the pristine Bay of Fires beach.

We walked along this beautiful beach for about half an hour.  It is just gorgeous.  With only farmland behind, and the Pacific Ocean in front, it is timeless and perfect.

 

We finally tore ourselves away and headed back down the East Coast.

Lunchtime found us at Swansea, where we parked on the Freycinet side and enjoyed another picnic.

And then to home, and the end of another lovely mini-break with Wanda.