The Bay of Fires or Larapuna is a remarkable coastal region in northeastern Tasmania. It is famous for its pristine white beaches, turquoise waters, and unique orange-hued granite rocks covered in red or orange lichen. The area was named The Bay of Fires by Captain Furneaux in 1773 after seeing many Aboriginal fires in the area.
Geologically the area is very similar to Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, Flinders Island in Bass Straight and the Freycinet areas of Tasmania. If you have been to the Prom, the Bay of Fire will feel very familiar - but the Bay of Fires is just much larger, wilder and (in my experience) less crowded.
It's a remarkable place.
Sal and I did a five day glamping and lodge based walk through the area that started and ended in Launceston. The food and drinks provided were great. Despite some good walking, I suspect it was not a weight loss week!
There is a deep history of indigenous in the area, going back maybe 60,000 years. In some parts of the dunes shell middens are being exposed, ant it's remarkable to think that both the shells and associated burnt wood and stone artefacts appearing on the surface could pre-date Stonehenge, the Pyramids in Egypt and the human colonisation of North America.
In some places nature plays tricks on you and gathers huge numbers of pippi shells into small, isolated coves. You would be tempted to think such deposits are human in origin, but it all just a trick of the tide.
Stewart, your photos are beautiful. Thank you for sharing your walk. I also enjoyed seeing the reptile.
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