Bay of Fires

The Bay of Fires is a region of white beaches, blue water and granite splashed with orange lichen. The bay was named by Captain Tobias Furneaux in 1773 in response to the many Aboriginal fires he saw burning on its shore. People visiting the area today often conclude that the name refers to the play of light on the water. It’s a good guess – the light in Tasmania has a crystalline quality.

Beach activities and bird-watching are popular in this beautiful reserve. The northern section of the bay is part of Mount William National Park. In the conservation area, which is at the southern end and is approached from St Helen, there are camping grounds along a 13-kilometre (eight-mile) section of road that terminates at private land called The Gardens.