Snapshot
| Where | Tasmania's north-east coast — About 263km and 3 hours 20 minutes' drive from Hobart · About 175km and 2 hours 20 minutes from Launceston via St Helens · Binalong Bay, at the southern end, is about 11km east of St Helens · The nearest full-service town, St Helens, is 30 minutes' drive south |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Sealed the whole way on the Tasman Highway (A3) from Hobart or Launceston, and a 2WD is fine — from St Helens take Binalong Bay Road (C850), then left onto C848 at the sign 'The Gardens 13km' · The sealed road ends at private land at The Gardens, and the campgrounds sit about 7km along it on gravel spurs · The northern section is a separate drive on Ansons Bay Road (C843) through the Priory or North Ansons Road (C83) from Gladstone, then about 5km down Policemans Point Road |
| Best time | March–May and November (autumn and late spring) — mild days for beach walking, some of the calmest winds of the year for snorkelling and photography, and the summer crowds gone |
| Worst time | Late December to mid-January, when the summer holidays fill the free campgrounds and share every beach with you; July if swimming matters, with an average maximum around 12°C and a sea of 12–14°C |
| Time needed | 2–3 days: a day around Binalong Bay and The Gardens, a day walking the beaches north of Swimcart Beach, and a day for the northern coast to Eddystone Point |
| Cost | Camping is free in the conservation area's designated campgrounds — no bookings, maximum stay four weeks · A parks pass is required for the northern section from the mouth of the Ansons River to larapuna/Eddystone Point inside Mount William National Park (check Parks & Wildlife Service for current pass prices) |
| Facilities | Hybrid or pit toilets at most campgrounds — none at Seatons Cove, Sloop Reef or the Taylors Beach day-use areas · No fuel at Binalong Bay; St Helens has fuel, supermarkets, a pharmacy and a blackwater dump station at the corner of Tully and Young streets · Treat the coast as having no usable mobile coverage and download maps before leaving St Helens |
| Best for | Free beach camping with a 2WD · Snorkellers and swimmers after turquoise shallows and reef · East-coast road trippers basing in St Helens |
| Difficulty |
2 of 5 — Moderate
The walking is short and flat, on soft sand, footpad and rock, but the exposure is real: unmarked tracks, a rock scramble at The Gardens, and surf with steep drop-offs and rips. The 13–14km Policeman's Point walk is the only long day, and it is a hard one on soft sand. |
Driving there? Car hire and what to check →
Bay of Fires Conservation Area runs along Tasmania's north-east coast from Binalong Bay in the south to the mouth of the Ansons River, with the northern stretch through to larapuna (Eddystone Point) inside Mount William National Park. The pattern repeats the whole way: pale beaches between granite headlands, boulders crusted with orange lichen, and clear, cold water over sand and reef. Captain Tobias Furneaux named the bay in 1773 after the fires he saw burning along the coast. The Gardens, at the end of the sealed road, was named by Lady Jane Franklin.
larapuna is a recorded meeting place for the Panpe-kanner, Leener-rerter and Pinter-rairer family groups, and shell middens in the dunes show concentrations of shell along with evidence of hunting, gathering and food preparation. Those middens are sacred to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community and protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1975, so look, leave everything where it lies and keep off the deposits. What pulls most people in is simpler: the turquoise shallows at Binalong Bay for a swim or a snorkel, beaches and headlands to walk north of Swimcart Beach, and free camping behind the dunes.
Go if…
- You want to camp free behind a white-sand beach and don't need bookings, en suites or hot showers
- You snorkel or swim — the clear shallows and reefs around Binalong Bay are the reason to come
- You prefer sand, rock and headlands to graded, signposted tracks, with rock pools and lichen boulders the whole way
- You're road-tripping Tasmania's east coast in a 2WD with St Helens as your supply base
Skip it if…
- You want a marked walking circuit with grading and directional signage — several of these tracks are informal and one is unmarked
- You need facilities at every stop — there are none at all at Seatons Cove, Sloop Reef or the Taylors Beach day-use area
- You're chasing warm water in the middle of the year — July tops out around 12°C and the sea runs at 12–14°C
- You need a guaranteed campsite over the summer holidays — the free sites are first come, first served and fill early
What to expect
Reviewed
You drive into the Bay of Fires from St Helens, about 30 minutes south, where the last full-service fuel, supermarket and pharmacy are. Binalong Bay Road (C850) runs roughly 11km east to Binalong Bay; a left turn onto C848, signposted 'The Gardens 13km', takes you north along the coast, past the turn-offs to Grants Lagoon, Jeanneret Beach, Swimcart Beach and Cosy Corner. The sealed road ends at private land at The Gardens, and the campgrounds sit about 7km along it on gravel spurs. The northern section is a separate drive: Ansons Bay Road (C843) through the Priory from St Helens, or North Ansons Road (C83) in from Gladstone, then about 5km down Policemans Point Road to the campground at the Ansons Bay river mouth. The roads are fine for a 2WD, but slow down after dark for the wildlife, and note that once you pass the mouth of the Ansons River you are inside Mount William National Park and need a parks pass. Fuel up in St Helens before you turn off, because there is none at Binalong Bay.
From the Binalong Bay car park the Foreshore Walk is a 3.8km loop of about 1 hour on sand and coastal footpad, taking in Skeleton Bay and the headlands above the bay. For a longer morning, the Skeleton Bay Track and Dora Point Loop is about 8.4km and 2.5 to 3 hours of moderate walking. Both are informal: expect soft sand underfoot rather than graded track, and read the terrain rather than signs. The Gardens, at the end of the sealed road, is a self-guided wander of about 1km and 30 to 60 minutes over granite, with some scrambling required on the rocks at the water's edge.
North of Binalong Bay the coast is a string of beaches and points: Jeanneret Beach, Cosy Corner South and North, Swimcart Beach, Seatons Cove and Sloop Reef, each with its own campground tucked in behind the dunes. The Cosy Corner Coastal Walk runs 2.4km one way, about 1 hour, from Swimcart Beach north past Cosy Corner to Sloop Reef, and the Sloop Reef Walk leaves from the campground there — 1–2km return, 30 to 45 minutes, on an unmarked track out to Sloop Rock Lookout. You are walking between the campgrounds, so this is the stretch to do on foot with a towel in the pack rather than as a car shuffle.
Between the headlands you get shallow, clear water over white sand and reef, which is why snorkelling is the thing to do at Binalong Bay — the area is known for scenic reefs, underwater caves and plenty of sea life. Treat the surf with respect: these beaches have steep drop-offs into deep water and are subject to rips, and none of them are patrolled, so swim in the sheltered corners and keep children close. The orange on the granite is lichen, a living partnership of fungi and algae that grows slowly, so don't chip it off or walk on the crusts. Watch for humpback and southern right whales passing close inshore — the coast is part of the East Coast Whale Trail, with interpretive signs at The Gardens and Binalong Bay — plus seals, dolphins, hooded plovers and sooty and pied oyster catchers on the sand. In the warmer months the critically endangered swift parrot feeds on blue gum nectar in the hinterland forest.
The northern section is a different day out. Policeman's Point to The Gardens is 13–14km one way and about 5 hours of moderate walking, exposed and on soft sand, so it needs a car at each end and a watch on the weather. Shorter options are the 0.7km Policeman's Point walk near the campground and the drive out to Eddystone Point, Tasmania's most easterly point, where the lighthouse stands among lichen boulders and reef. Inland, wukalina (Mount William) rises to 216m with views out to the Furneaux Islands, and the plains of Mount William National Park hold Forester kangaroos, wallabies and wombats at dawn and dusk. This is also the country of the middens — walk around the dune deposits, not over them.
Where to stay
St Helens is the base — the nearest full-service town, 30 minutes south, with fuel, supermarkets and most of the beds; Binalong Bay and The Gardens have a handful of small properties, and the free campgrounds do the rest.
When bookings open: Camping in the Bay of Fires Conservation Area is free and cannot be booked — sites are first come, first served, and Parks & Wildlife Service publishes no booking window. Commercial properties in St Helens and Binalong Bay take bookings directly or through the usual booking sites. Official booking page. Checked 5 November 2026. Booking dates for every state.
| Stay | Guest rating | Best for | Distance | Style | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay of Fires campgrounds (Parks & Wildlife Service) | Not rated | Free beach camping inside the conservation area, from Binalong Bay to Sloop Reef and up at Policemans Point | From Binalong Bay north to Sloop Reef along the C848, and about 5km down Policemans Point Road in the north | Grants Lagoon, Jeanneret Beach, Swimcart Beach, Cosy Corner South and North, Seatons Cove, Sloop Reef and Policemans Point — hybrid or pit toilets at most sites, none at Seatons Cove or Sloop Reef · Free, no bookings, maximum stay four weeks | Book now |
| Bay of Fires Bush Retreat | 9.7 / 10 (395 reviews, Booking.com) | A quiet, well-rated B&B base minutes from the beach | 795 Reids Road, Binalong Bay — 2.1km from Binalong Bay | Relaxed communal bed-and-breakfast accommodation with shared kitchen, garden, terrace, outdoor fireplace, family rooms and EV charging | Check rates |
| BIG4 Tassie Getaway Parks St Helens | 8.5 / 10 (439 reviews, Booking.com) | Families and van travellers wanting a full holiday park as a base | St Helens, 300 metres from the waterfront and 30 minutes from the Bay of Fires | Cabins from studio to three-bedroom, powered and unpowered sites, bunkhouse and a bike wash-down bay; from $111.46 a night | Check rates |
| Glamping 148 Tasmania | 9.5 / 10 (191 reviews, Booking.com) | Glamping with a real bed and a bath, close to the coast | St Helens, in a private precinct of the St Helens holiday park | Six glamping tents, each with a queen bed and single bunks, private ensuite with deck claw-foot bath, kitchenette and fire pit; no pets | Check rates |
| Tasman Holiday Parks - St Helens | 9.1 / 10 (1,857 reviews, Booking.com) | A cheaper park base with bay views and a restaurant on site | St Helens, 30 minutes from the Bay of Fires | Villas with bay views, BBQ facilities, garden and bar; from $77.43 a night | Check rates |
| Bayside Hotel | 8.2 / 10 (3,122 reviews, Booking.com) | A straightforward hotel stay on the edge of Georges Bay | St Helens — a 9-minute drive to the Bay of Fires beaches | Hotel rooms on the edge of Georges Bay, an easy run north to Binalong Bay; from $87.25 a night | Check rates |
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What to do here
8 walks & sights
Binalong Bay Foreshore Walk
A loop on sand and coastal footpad from the main Binalong Bay car park, taking in Skeleton Bay and the headlands above the bay. It is the easiest way to see the lichen boulders and turquoise shallows that the coast is known for, and it can be shortened anywhere along the way. There are no formal grades on these walks — read the surface, which is soft sand in places and rock at the points. Swim off the bay at the end, keeping clear of the deeper water beyond the corners.
Swimming and snorkelling at Binalong Bay
Clear shallows over white sand and reef, with lichen boulders to snorkel around and underwater caves and sea life along the coast. The beaches have steep drop-offs into deep water and are subject to rips, so swim in the sheltered corners and keep children within arm's reach. Early morning is the calmest water, before the afternoon sea breeze.
Cosy Corner Coastal Walk
From Swimcart Beach north past Cosy Corner to Sloop Reef, over sand, rock and low headlands with the lichen boulders in view the whole way. It links several of the free campgrounds, so you can walk it with a day pack and a towel and return along the same ground. The route is informal — there is no graded track or signage to follow.
Skeleton Bay Track & Dora Point Loop
A longer loop from Binalong Bay through Skeleton Bay and around Dora Point, for the days when a short stroll isn't enough. It is rated moderate, mostly because of the distance and the soft sand rather than any climb. Carry water and sun protection, as there is little shade on the open sections.
Sloop Reef Walk (Sloop Rock Lookout)
An unmarked track from the Sloop Reef campground out to Sloop Rock Lookout, over rock and low scrub. The Sloop Reef campground itself has no toilets and no facilities, so treat this as a self-reliant outing. It suits a short morning before packing up camp, and the rocks are slippery when wet.
The Gardens self-guided walk
A wander over granite at the end of the sealed road, where the beaches north of here are on foot only. Named by Lady Jane Franklin, it gives the classic combination of orange lichen, white sand and clear water in a compact loop. The scrambling over boulders at the water's edge is easy but unforgiving in wet conditions, so take your time and keep off the lichen crusts.
Policeman's Point to The Gardens
The full-day coastal walk of the area, running between the Policeman's Point campground and The Gardens across headlands and long beaches. It is exposed with no shade and the sand is soft underfoot, so carry water and plan for the tide. You need a car at each end; this is not a loop. The 0.7km Policeman's Point walk near the campground is the short alternative.
The northern coast: Policemans Point and larapuna (Eddystone Point)
Ansons Bay Road (C843) through the Priory, then about 5km down Policemans Point Road to the campground at the Ansons Bay river mouth — you cannot cross the outlet. From there the coast runs north to Eddystone Point, Tasmania's most easterly point, where the lighthouse stands among lichen boulders and reef, and wukalina (Mount William) rises to 216m inland. Mount William National Park's plains hold Forester kangaroos, wallabies and wombats at dawn and dusk.
Bay of Fires itineraries: 1, 2 or 3 days
3 plans
One day: Binalong Bay and The Gardens
- Morning. Walk the Binalong Bay Foreshore Walk from the main Binalong Bay car park — a 3.8km loop of about 1 hour on sand and coastal footpad. Swim or snorkel off the bay before the afternoon wind gets up.
- Afternoon. Drive the C848 north, signed 'The Gardens 13km', and walk the self-guided loop at The Gardens — about 1km and 30 to 60 minutes, with some rock scrambling over the granite at the sealed road's end.
- Late afternoon. Continue past the turn-offs to Swimcart Beach and Cosy Corner to see the lichen boulders in low light, then drive the 30 minutes back to St Helens for the night.
About 4.8km of walking and no nights under canvas. A day trip works from Launceston at 2 hours 20 minutes each way, but not comfortably from Hobart at 3 hours 20 minutes. Camping is free if you do stay — designated campgrounds only, no bookings. Fill up in St Helens first, as there is no fuel at Binalong Bay, and swim only in the sheltered corners: these beaches have steep drop-offs and rips and none are patrolled.
Two days: the coast north of Swimcart Beach and a free camp
- Day 1, morning. As the one-day plan — the Binalong Bay Foreshore Walk (3.8km loop, about 1 hour) and a swim before the wind gets up.
- Day 1, afternoon. Drive to Swimcart Beach and walk the Cosy Corner Coastal Walk north — 2.4km one way, about 1 hour — to Sloop Reef, then camp free at Swimcart Beach or Cosy Corner South.
- Day 2, morning. The Sloop Reef Walk to Sloop Rock Lookout from the Sloop Reef campground — 1–2km return, 30 to 45 minutes, on an unmarked track.
- Day 2, afternoon. The Gardens walk (about 1km, 30 to 60 minutes) and the 30-minute drive back to St Helens, or on toward Launceston at 2 hours 20 minutes.
Day 1 is about 6.2km of walking, day 2 about 2 to 3km. One free night at Swimcart Beach or Cosy Corner South — hybrid and pit toilets, no bookings and a maximum stay of four weeks, so have a second campground in mind. There is no fuel at Binalong Bay and the Sloop Reef campground has no facilities at all, so carry your water and a gas stove, and expect nothing in the way of signage on the Sloop Reef track.
Three days: add the northern coast and larapuna
- Day 1. Binalong Bay Foreshore Walk (3.8km loop, about 1 hour) and The Gardens self-guided walk (about 1km, 30 to 60 minutes), as in the one-day plan.
- Day 2. The Cosy Corner Coastal Walk (2.4km one way, about 1 hour) from Swimcart Beach to Sloop Reef, the Sloop Reef Walk (1–2km return, 30 to 45 minutes), and a free night at Swimcart Beach or Cosy Corner South.
- Day 3. Drive the northern section: Ansons Bay Road (C843) through the Priory, then about 5km down Policemans Point Road to the campground at the Ansons Bay river mouth, and on toward Eddystone Point (larapuna) and its lighthouse. A parks pass is required from the mouth of the Ansons River. Walk the 13–14km, 5-hour stretch between Policeman's Point and The Gardens only if you can leave a car at each end — it is exposed and on soft sand.
About 4.8km on day 1, about 3.4 to 4.4km on day 2, and as much or as little as you like on day 3. Two free nights in the conservation area's campgrounds — Swimcart Beach and Cosy Corner South have hybrid and pit toilets, Policemans Point has hybrid toilets and no crossing of the Ansons Bay outlet. A parks pass is required for the northern section inside Mount William National Park. Camping cannot be booked and fills over summer, and you should fuel up in St Helens before heading north on gravel.
Experiences worth booking
6-Days Discovery Tour of Tasmania - Comfort Style
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7-Day Super Value Tour of Tasmania: Explore Tasmania's West and East Coasts
Check availability →Tours run by independent operators and booked on Viator. Booking links go to Viator, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are "from" figures in AUD, checked 2026-11-09.
Suggested gear for Bay of Fires
18 items
- Water bottles or a hydration bladder Carry at least 2 litres per person on the walks.
- Water treatment tablets or a filter Treat creek and camping-area water before drinking.
- Sun hat, sunscreen (SPF 50+) and sunglasses
- Sturdy, broken-in walking shoes or boots
- Day pack (20–30 L)
- First aid kit, including blister care
- Insect repellent
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Lightweight rain jacket
- Personal locator beacon Mobile coverage is unreliable in remote parks.
- A snorkel and mask The Bay of Fires is known for scenic reefs, underwater caves and sea life, and Binalong Bay's sheltered shallows are the place to use them.
- Reef shoes or hard-soled sandals You cross wet, lichen-crusted granite and rock shelves to reach the best water, and the boulders are slippery in the surf zone.
- A wetsuit, or at least a rash vest Coastal water peaks at 17 to 18°C in summer and runs 12 to 14°C in winter — the shallows warm up, the deeper water does not.
- A windproof shell Afternoon sea breezes are standard in summer and the coast is exposed to strong winds through September and October, on headlands and open beaches alike.
- A gas stove and gas lantern Seasonal fire bans are declared on reserved land over the fire-danger season, and a ban rules out campfires, pot fires and all solid fuel — gas stoves and barbecues stay permitted.
- Water containers for the whole stay There is no shop or fuel at Binalong Bay or the campgrounds; St Helens, 30 minutes south, is where you fill everything before turning off.
- A beach shelter or tarp Several campgrounds sit exposed behind the dunes, and the Policeman's Point walk is fully exposed with no shade at all.
- A dry bag Useful for snorkelling gear, phones and keys around the estuary mouths, on the rock scramble at The Gardens, and in the boat or kayak.
How this compares
Bay of Fires vs Freycinet National Park
Freycinet, down the coast on the same east-coast drive, is the structured alternative: pink granite peaks, the white crescent of Wineglass Bay, graded and signposted tracks, and paid campgrounds that need booking. It is busier, more expensive and more polished, with a visitor centre and marked walks. Choose Freycinet for headline views and graded tracks; choose Bay of Fires for free beach camping, snorkelling and a coast you drive at your own pace.
- Difficulty
- 3 of 5 — Challenging
- Access
- Sealed roads throughout; no ferry or 4WD involved, with paid campgrounds and a visitor centre at the entrance
- Best for
- Graded walks · granite peaks · booked beachfront camping
Bay of Fires vs Maria Island National Park
Maria Island National Park lies on the mid-east coast, inland from Orford and Triabunna on the road south from Hobart. It is a car-free island park, so the trip is slower and quieter, with everything carried in rather than driven in. Choose Maria Island for a walk-in, wildlife-led trip with no vehicles; choose Bay of Fires for drive-in beach camping and a snorkelling coast.
- Difficulty
- 2 of 5 — Moderate
- Access
- On the east-coast route south of the Bay of Fires, reached from Orford and Triabunna; a car-free island park with everything carried in
- Best for
- Car-free travel · quiet camps · an island base
Bay of Fires vs Douglas-Apsley National Park
Douglas-Apsley National Park is on the east coast near Bicheno, on the stretch of road between the Bay of Fires and Freycinet. It breaks up the coastal drive with an inland park rather than another beach. Choose Douglas-Apsley for a stop that isn't sand; choose Bay of Fires for the lichen bays and free camping.
- Difficulty
- 2 of 5 — Moderate
- Access
- East coast near Bicheno, on the sealed Tasman Highway route between the Bay of Fires and Freycinet
- Best for
- Breaking up the drive · a non-beach stop · east-coast pairing
Before you go
- Camping is free but only in designated campgrounds — no bush camping, no bookings, and a maximum stay of four weeks
- A parks pass is required for the northern section, from the mouth of the Ansons River to larapuna/Eddystone Point inside Mount William National Park — check Parks & Wildlife Service for current pass types and prices
- Fuel up in St Helens, 30 minutes south — there is no fuel at Binalong Bay, and St Helens is the last full-service town with a supermarket and pharmacy
- Never assume a campfire is allowed: seasonal fire bans are declared on reserved land over the fire-danger season, and a ban prohibits campfires, pot fires and other solid fuel. Gas stoves and gas barbecues remain permitted. Check the Parks & Wildlife Service alerts page and Tasmania Fire Service before lighting anything
- Swim with care — steep drop-offs and rips, and no patrols anywhere on this coast. Snorkel the sheltered corners and keep off the rock shelf when the swell is up
- Dogs on leads are permitted in most campgrounds but not at Jeanneret Beach, and the dog zones are managed by Break O'Day Council; rules change inside Mount William National Park, so check the signs at each campground
- Dump blackwater at the station on the corner of Tully and Young streets in St Helens — not in campground toilets
- Slow down and avoid long drives after dark for the wildlife, and download your maps and offline notes before leaving St Helens
When to go
seasons & the hard months
Autumn (March–May) is the comfortable middle of the year here. Average maximums ease from about 21°C in March to 16°C in May, the water holds around 18°C into March, and April and May are among the calmest months for wind at St Helens, which means glassy water for snorkelling and photography. The summer crowds have gone but the free campgrounds still reward an early arrival, and the light on the lichen boulders is at its best late in the day.
Summer is the busiest and winter is the quietest. December to February brings the school holidays, warm days around 21°C in January and a sea of 17 to 18°C, and free campsites that fill early; spring (September–November) brings wildflowers behind the dunes, including banksia, and nesting shorebirds, but also strong winds and the odd cold snap through September and October, with November the smart low-crowd window before the holidays. Winter is for the hardy: July tops out around 12°C, the sea runs at 12 to 14°C, frosts settle inland on clear mornings, and you will often have the beaches to yourself.
Questions
6 answers
Not for the conservation area's southern section around Binalong Bay, The Gardens and the campgrounds south of the Ansons River. A pass is required from the mouth of the Ansons River north to larapuna (Eddystone Point), which is inside Mount William National Park. Check the Parks & Wildlife Service site for current pass types and prices.
Free, with no bookings, in designated campgrounds only — Grants Lagoon, Jeanneret Beach, Swimcart Beach, Cosy Corner South and North, Seatons Cove, Sloop Reef and Policemans Point — and a maximum stay of four weeks. Sites are first come, first served and fill over summer and long weekends, so have a second or third campground in mind.
Yes, but read the water. The beaches have steep drop-offs into deep water and are subject to rips, and none are patrolled. Swim in the sheltered corners such as Binalong Bay, snorkel over the reef in calm conditions, and keep children within arm's reach.
Only when no fire ban is declared. Seasonal fire bans are placed on reserved land in the Break O'Day area over the fire-danger season, and a ban prohibits campfires, pot fires and other solid fuel. Gas stoves and gas barbecues remain permitted. Check the Parks & Wildlife Service alerts page and Tasmania Fire Service before you light anything.
Dogs on leads are permitted in most of the Bay of Fires campgrounds but not at Jeanneret Beach, and the dog zones are managed by Break O'Day Council — check the sign at each campground. Rules change once you are in Mount William National Park in the north.
Two to three days lets you walk the beaches and headlands, snorkel at Binalong Bay and drive the northern coast to Eddystone Point. A single day works from Launceston at 2 hours 20 minutes each way, but it leaves you driving more than walking.
Nearby & next
Official information
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