6 days in Tasmania, Australia- 5/11- 5/16/2024

5 day tour of Tasmania

Day 4 of 5-Bay of Fires-5/15/2024

 The Bay of Fires, located on Tasmania’s northeast coast near Bicheno and St Helens, is one of the island’s most stunning coastal areas, famous for its striking orange-tinged granite boulders, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters. The vivid orange color comes from a lichen that grows naturally on the rocks, creating the fiery appearance that makes the Bay of Fires famous.

The name “Bay of Fires” dates back to 1773, when British navigator Captain Tobias Furneaux sailed along the coast and he saw numerous Aboriginal campfires burning along the shore and named the area “Bay of Fires.” The fires he saw were lit by the Palawa people, who had lived along this coast for thousands of years, using fire as part of their daily life and land management.

The striking orange lichen came to symbolize that fiery name later, but the true “fires” were those of the First Peoples signs of life, culture, and connection to the land long before European arrival.

The first impression that the orange lichen looks so much like glowing embers against the white sand that it seems natural to think that’s why the place is called the Bay of Fires. But as I discovered, the name actually has a different origin.

Tom parked the bus and we walked toward the world-famous Bay of Fires Conservation Area where a narrow sandy path opened up to the beach. The entrance was framed by low coastal shrubs and tufts of grass swaying in the breeze. As we got closer, we could hear the sound of waves breaking gently on the shore.

Stepping through the opening, the view suddenly widened into a magnificent view of the beach with white sand and crystal clear blue water.

As I look to my right, the shoreline stretches far into the distance, curving gently along the coast.  In the far distance, I can make out what looks like a town or city.

Straight ahead the beach stretches for miles, lined with pure white fine sand.

The turquoise water is crystal clear, gently lapping against the shore.

Straight ahead is a huge granite boulder rising from the shallow waters, their surfaces covered with the famous orange lichen that gives the bay its fiery name. The contrast between the bright orange rocks, white sand, and vivid blue sea creates a scene that feels almost unreal.

Scattered along the beach are huge granite boulders with orange lichen.

The brilliant orange color covering the boulders is a fascinating organism formed by a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungus. The fungus provides structure and protection, attaching firmly to the granite rock surface. The algae within the lichen use sunlight, air, and moisture to photosynthesize, producing nutrients that sustain both partners.

The bright orange pigment is actually a protective compound produced by the lichen to shield itself from the sun’s strong ultraviolet rays and from salt exposure in the coastal environment. Because the Bay of Fires has clean air, steady sea breezes, and little pollution, these lichens thrive, spreading slowly over centuries and giving the rocks their fiery, unmistakable hue. So the “flames” of the Bay of Fires aren’t from fire at all, but from these living, slow-growing lichens that paint the granite with color.

All along the Bay of Fires, the boulders are scattered in a way that feels both natural and sculptural, as if the coastline itself arranged them over time.

These granite rocks were formed deep underground from molten rock (magma) that slowly cooled around 395 to 360 million years ago. Over eons, the softer overlying rock eroded away, exposing this incredibly hard granite.

Some sit half-buried in the white sand, others cluster together in small groups, forming little coves and pockets where waves swirl gently between them.

View of a cluster of granite boulders covered in orange lichen.

These granite boulders were shaped over millions of years by erosion and weathering, cracked, rounded, and smoothed by wind, rain, and the relentless motion of the sea. Tides and storms have shifted some of them, leaving a mix of large, imposing rocks and smaller rounded stones strewn along the shore. The result is a landscape that feels wild and elemental, with every boulder telling a quiet story of time, tide, and the forces that shaped Tasmania’s rugged coast.

We continued walking along the soft white sand, the waves gently brushing our feet as we make our way toward the largest boulder at the far end of the beach.

From a distance, the huge boulder stands out prominently against the horizon, massive and rounded, its surface streaked with vivid patches of orange lichen.

I turned around and the view of the beach is magnificent.

The water is so clear against the white sand.

Our group had the privilege of walking along the vast stretch of beach, finding it completely deserted. With nobody else around, the moment felt incredibly private and special, as if the entire magnificent coastline belonged only to us.

Our group heading to the big boulder at the end of the beach.

As we get closer, the size becomes even more impressive, towering above the surrounding rocks and offering a striking contrast to the clear blue sky and turquoise sea.

 Reaching the base of the large boulder was easy, the sand firm beneath our feet and the rocks around it smooth and weathered.

We had to around scattered rocks to get up to the top of the boulder.

But as we walked further up, the climb became more of an adventure. The surface was uneven, with rounded edges and patches of rough granite, so we had to pick our path carefully.

This boulder is massive as you can see on this picture.

We heading to the top of the boulder, but getting there is not an easy task.

This area is so unique with orange lichen, no wonder it is world famous.

To reach the top of the highest boulder, the path became more challenging. The rock surface was uneven and sloped in parts, forcing us to test each step carefully.

Some sections were smooth and slippery from the lichen, while others were rough with small cracks that offered just enough grip for our hands and feet.

We had to move slowly, sometimes circling around to find a better route up.

We finally made it to the top of the boulder, and standing there feels incredible. From a distance, our group looks tiny, their silhouettes standing proudly against the vast shape of the boulder, almost like little figures atop a giant monument.

The boulder is massive, its flat and weathered surface stretches wide beneath our feet, glowing with shades of orange and gray under the sunlight.

Below, the beach stretches endlessly into the turquoise sea, and the rhythmic sound of waves drifts up from the shore. The scale of it all, the rock, the coastline, the open sky, makes the moment feel both powerful and peaceful, as if we’re standing on top of one of nature’s great masterpieces.

View from the boulder to the beach we passed by recently.

From the top of the boulder, the view is breathtaking. Underneath,  I can see several large boulders rising from the water,  as waves break gently against them. Closer to shore, the beach made of white sand, and scattered along the coastline are clusters of rocks covered in bright orange lichen, their fiery colors contrasting beautifully with the pale sand and the deep blue of the ocean.

I looked down from the top of the boulder, and I noticed a natural pool nestled among the rocks below. It’s a good size with calm and clear water.. The pool is surrounded by boulders streaked with bright orange lichen, their color glowing vividly against the soft blues and greens of the water.

The sea seeps in gently in and out through gaps in the rocks, keeping the pool connected to the ocean. It looks peaceful and inviting, like a hidden spot carved by nature, a quiet pocket of water framed by the fiery colors that make this coastline so unique.

I am standing on the other of the boulder.

Waiving to Hoa from the other side.

Then the sun came out and the scene feels magical under the bright sun light.

As the sun broke through the clouds, the entire area is transformed into a brilliant spectacle, with the orange lichen-covered boulders glowing fiercely against the pure white sand and turquoise water. Standing here, you realized how small we are against this giant boulder.

There are a lot of places on the boulder to explore and climb.

From atop the enormous mass, it became clear that this striking headland was not one monolithic stone, but rather a colossal cluster of Devonian granite boulders wedged tightly together, creating a vast, continuous platform.

Panoramic view.

There are many little pools inside the giant boulder.

Standing at the highest point, our small group appeared tiny  against the sheer scale of the massive granite structure, utterly captivated by the endless expanse of the horizon.

As others stood watching the vast horizon, some of us found a seat directly on the colossal, sun-drenched granite, resting quietly against the ancient stone while gazing out over the expansive sea.

From my spot, I glanced at the beach it is so colorful with orange lichen, the clear blue sky, and sea, against the white sand.

 Moving further along the immense granite surface, I watched the sea gently wash halfway up the boulder, while straight ahead, the dazzling sunlight precisely illuminated a small section of rock where a few figures sat and stood, lending a sense of scale and quiet awe to the vast coastal scene.

The scene felt almost unreal with a dramatic canvas where the vibrant, orange-lichened boulder met the deep blue sea, all framed beneath a white-clouded sky with a single, brilliant sun ray illuminating the vast, untamed beauty of the coast.

This place will be forever etched in our memories.

A picture with Lisa who is also from the states.

It is truly remarkable how quickly deep connections can form on a shared journey. Knowing this is our fourth day together, the experience gains an extra layer of meaning: the trip has become profoundly richer not just because of the stunning scenery, but because you are surrounded by people we just met who, for whatever reason, are connecting so naturally and enjoying each other's company.

We are now leaving the beach and heading to St. Helens for the evening

NEXT... Dinner at the Lobster Shack/Sunrise