The Bay of Fires (palawa kani: larapuna)[1][2] is a bay on the northeastern coast of Tasmania in Australia, extending from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point. The bay was given its name in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux in Adventure,[3] who saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches.

Orange-hued granite rocks in Bay of Fires

Bay whaling activities were carried out in the area in the 1840s.[4]

The Bay of Fires is a region of white beaches, blue water and orange-hued granite (the colour of which is actually produced by a lichen). The northern section of the bay is part of Mount William National Park; the southern end is a conservation area.[5]

A wide range of activities can be pursued in the Bay of Fires area, including camping, beach activities, boating, bird watching, fishing, swimming, surfing and walking.[6][7][8]

Tourism

edit

In the 2000s, the Bay of Fires received several tourism accolades. In 2005, it was named as the world's second best beach by Condé Nast.[9] In 2008, it was named the world's "hottest" travel destination for 2009 by international guide book Lonely Planet.[10]

 
Panorama of Bay of Fires

History

edit

The Bay of Fires was a meeting place for Aboriginal family groups such as Panpe-kanner, Leener-rerter and Pinter-rairer.[11]

Pictures

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Inc. (2015). "Healthy Country Plan 2015" (PDF).
  2. ^ "Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre – Official Aboriginal and Dual Names of places". tacinc.com.au. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  3. ^ Sprod, Dan (2005). "Furneaux, Tobias (1735 - 1781)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 5 May 2008.
  4. ^ Evans, Kathryn (1993). Shore-based whaling in Tasmania historical research project: Volume 2; site histories. Hobart: Parks & Wildlife Service. p. 66.
  5. ^ Fitzgerald, Nick; Bay of Fires Coastal Preservation Lobby (Tas.); North-East Bioregional Network (Tas.) (2009), The Bay of Fires a new national park for Northeast Tasmania, North-East Bioregional Network, retrieved 10 January 2013
  6. ^ "Bay of Fires". North East Tasmania. Archived from the original on 9 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  7. ^ "Bay of Fires Conservation Area". Parks and Wildlife Service Tasmania. Archived from the original on 30 January 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  8. ^ Richardson, Garry (2006), The Bay of Fires, St Helens and the Hinterland : a brief history and activities to enjoy, G. Richardson,c[2006], retrieved 10 January 2013
  9. ^ "Bay of Fires named world's second-best beach". ABC News. 12 June 2005. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Tasmania's Bay of Fires world's top spot: Lonely Planet". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  11. ^ "Bay of Fires Conservation Area | Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania". parks.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 18 April 2021.

41°08′13″S 148°18′29″E / 41.137°S 148.308°E / -41.137; 148.308