The Gardens, Bay of Fires

The East Coast Whale Trail is a series of coastal stops you can visit with information signs about the whales and where you have a good chance of seeing them. There are 14 trail sites scattered all along the coast from The Gardens in the larapuna/Bay of Fires area near St Helens in the north to Eaglehawk Neck on the Tasman Peninsula. At each East Coast Whale Trail site, you will find a sign with information and stories about them and big sea views to search for signs of whales. There are binoculars installed at two of the Trail sites to help you get a closer view Whales can throw their fins and flukes, or even their bodies, high out of the water, making great explosions of foam on the sea surface than can be seen from far away. Sometimes they come within a few hundred metres to shore.

Bay of Fires is a truly special region north of St. Helens on Tasmania's north-east coast with clean white beaches, blue water and granite rocks splashed with orange lichen. It's not surprising that Lonely Planet named the Bay of Fires as one of the world's hottest travel destinations. Beach activities and bird-watching are popular in this beautiful reserve. You may even see a pod of dolphins as they cruise along parallel to the beach. The area is also known for its snorkelling and diving, with scenic reefs, corals, underwater caves and abundant sea life. The Bay of Fires Conservation Area offers beach-side camping and the elevated sites amongst the trees have amazing views of the coast and sea. There are camping grounds along a 13-kilometre section of road at the southern end of the conservation area, approached via St Helens. The bay was named by Captain Tobias Furneaux in 1773 in response to the many Aboriginal fires he saw burning on its shore.

There are actually two cosy corners linking this stretch of white sand, nestled beneath protective rocky points at each end of the 80-metre beach. Park your car at either end and walk at your leisure, dip your toes in the water or simply curl up on your towel and enjoy the scenery!