DiNo's Travels Around Australia - 2014/2015/16/17: Day 50

Today dawned, somewhat cloudy but with a persistent NW wind which blew quite hard at times. The sun was out and that made for a reasonable day to visit the Bay of Fires.

180415 Today's map, St Helens to The Gardens

The Bay of Fires is a 26km stretch of beach between St Helens and Anson Bay to the north. The road only extends from St Helens to The Gardens. The extract below explains the origin of the name.

180415 Commentary and a big picture of Bay of Fires

Our first thought was that it was because of the red lichen which is commonplace on the rocks.

170415 Some more commentary about Bay of Fires

The "Bay of Fires" is a series of beaches spaced between rocky headlands. The rock is granite and it makes for an interesting backdrop to the white sandy beaches, the turquoise water and the white surf.

We started at Dora Point which overlooks the entrance of Georges Bay to the Tasman Sea.

180415 The exit from Georges Bay to the Tasman Sea

180415 Rock wall marking the entry to Georges Bay from Dora Point

180415 St Helens Point from Dora Point

Grants Point was next.

180415 Grants Point

180415 A granite rock, a sentinel overlooking Grants Point

Binalong Bay had a rocky headland at its southern end and a beautiful white sandy beach to its north.

180415 The headland south of Binalong Bay

180415 The lichen up close at Binalong Bay

180415 More rocks at the headland at Binalong Bay

180415 Binalong Bay

The various beaches were sparsely populated until we reached Swimcar Beach. The beach was the venue for a fishing competition and fishermen, fisherwomen and fisherkids were spread along the beach. The line of competitors extended over into two other beaches, Cozy Corner North and Cozy Corner South Beaches. There had been only 10 fish caught during the day. The camping spots behind the beachfront were filled with caravans and tents and a great deal of fun was being had by all. It was a shame the fishing wasn't a bit better. At 5.10pm on the change of the tide this would improve, so we were told by a weatherbeaten old fisherman.

180415 Jeanneret Beach

180415 Swimcart Beach with fishermen and fishing rods spread
over the length of the beach

180415 Sand carving on Swimcart Beach

180415 Sand carving on Swimcart Beach. Don't know what it is

180415 More fishing competitors at Cozy Corner South Beach

180415 Looking across Cozy Corner North beach

180415 The Point at Sloop Reef from Cozy Corner North Beach.
Those are fishing rods in the foreground

180415 Lichen covered rocks at Sloop Reef

180415 Sloop Reef

180415 Got the message? At Sloop Reef

180415 Taylors Beach from near The Gardens

The Gardens was a rocky headland which, in Spring, produces wildflowers. The wind was very strong at The Gardens which was a signal for us to turn homeward.