St. Helen’s Sunset
From the Viewpoing Platform; though I can remember I was able to go down there in the pools the last time I was there in 2018.
The Bay of Fires
It is one of the favourites of both locals and tourists who’s visited Tasmania.
Located in the North-East Coast of Tasmania, locals will point you to St. Helens or Binalong Bay if you want to visit the Bay of Fires.
2 Hours East From Launceston. 3- Hours North- East of Hobart.
Brief History:
Called as Bay of Fires, most people thought its because of the Bright Orange Colour in the Rocks of the East Coast caused by the Lichens (fungi) that forms in the rocks. The real reason why it was called as Bay of Fires was because when European Explorers first sighted the East Coast of Lutruwita (original aboriginal name of Tasmania), they saw Fires Burning along the Coast, that was lit by the Local Traditional Owners, the Aboriginal Tribe called the Palawa People (who holds a sad history of being wiped out in the 1800s upon European Settlement).
In the modern day, visitors are astonished as the name coincides with the bright orange rocks in Binalong Bay and along the coast of the East of Tasmania as it truly resembles the fiery colour that contrasts the crystal clear blue seas and sky.
Points to check:
Jetty in St. Helens (busy Jetty in town or the quiet fishing Jetty South of the Town)
Wildlife and Bird Viewing along the coast
Sunset in the Jetty
Coastal Walk in St Helens
Verandah Breakie / Lunch with Wonderful View in Meresta Eatery
Carpark across Meresta Eatery has access to the WHITE BEACH of Binalong Bay
Fine White-Sand & Crystal Clear Turquoise Waters of Binalong Bay (across Meresta Eatery)
Bright Orange Rock Pools in Binalong Bay (beside the viewpoint platform)
Adventure Diary Entry:
15/12/23
My sisters decided to book a nice boho AirBnB in St. Helen’s as its my older sister’s tick list to explore before leaving Launceston.
The drive from Launy using the Highway via St. Mary’s offers a peacefully scenic beauty & lush green lands in the late afternoon. Tassie’s roads are never packed and the peace it offers just gives a more intimate and wonderful experience with nature in the comforts of your car.
Tassies’ roads are windy and hilly, the spur towards entering the East Coast from St Mary needs quite some patience and chill as its got a narrow lanes and you’re right beside the deep trench or right next to the wall of the Earth. I mostly don’t mind it, but my dad was not so excited about it.
Tassie’s East Coast Drives is one of my favourites; quiet little towns, pristine lands with not much houses in betweens. I always enjoy being present and surrounded by these types of untouched sense of places as the scenery switches from one wonder to the next.
St. Helen is a wonderful little town, the BnB is 5 minutes South of the Center, giving us more peace and space in enjoying the Jetty without feeling so crowded with boats and establishments.
Next morning, we got up early to explore the town.
In the day time, St. Helen is a busy town with lots of sail boats in sight and restaurants to choose from. IGA is quite big and the only shopping centre with a good sized petrol station. We stopped by for some takeaway coffee before we head to Binalong Bay.
My little sis and I have been to St. Helen and Binalong Bay in 2018 but it was only a passing day trip, stopped by for some dinner after Binalong Bay’s Sunset Photo Shoot practicing my off-camera flash. Still my fave sunset photo shoot.
BINALONG BAY
Binalong Bay is 15 minutes North from St. Helen’s. It offers a more picturesque& less crowded / no establishments and purely a hidden tuck away paradise.
Meresta Eatery was the go to for some lunch; its a wonderful pick as it is situated overlooking the whole coast of Binalong Bay. Right across is a public car park where there is a short walk entry to the soft white sands and inviting turquoise clear waters.
A bit South from the Eatery is the Lookout for the popular Bright Orange Rocks, with Crystal Clear Turquoise Waters, forming a rock pool.
I find that Binalong Bay is always a magnificent place. If you have the time, take a moment to enjoy dipping in the rock pools and don’t mind the tourists come and go, this place offers a fun and pleasing vibes.
Beautiful Bay of FIres
