Bay of Fires – Larapuna Walk – 4 Days

Day 1 – Cape Naturaliste to Boulder Point and Mt William

Distance: 12km, 4.5 hours walking (Approx) Grade: 2 – 3, (Easy to Moderate)

Our journey begins from the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston at 7.30am for a 7:45am departure. On the way to the north-east coast we pass through Lilydale and the Pipers River wine region, before stopping by at the beach side village of Bridport for a short break.

It’s then on to Mt William National Park, and the white sands of Cape Naturaliste – the most northern point of our four-day wander. These first few hours are spent entirely on the beach, pleasantly easing one into their own natural walking pace and rhythm. Along the way, there are often resident sea birds to observe – including Oystercatchers and Hooded Plovers. Your guides will also be able to decipher any bizarre looking ocean life that has been washed ashore with the changing tides. We may discover cuttlebones, urchins, and even shark eggs.

Pausing for an afternoon tea break, we head inland to tackle a one-hour return walk to the summit of wukalina/Mt William. At an elevation of 216 meters, this is the highest point in the surrounding area – providing walkers with a far-reaching panoramic view of the area encompassed on our first two days of walking and beyond. In clear weather, the Furneaux group of islands stand proud as lofty remnants of what remains of an ancient land bridge which once connected Tasmania with mainland Australia. We then return to the bus, before heading back to our accommodation to unpack and settle in.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Icena Farm

Day 2 – Boulder Point to Deep Creek and Picnic Rocks

Distance: 14km, 5 – 6 hours walking (Approx) Grade: 3 (Moderate)

After breakfast and lunch making, we head out for our longest day of walking. We return to Boulder Point at the far end of Stumpy’s Bay, and continue south along a lovely stretch of coastline featuring successive small coves protected by rocky headlands. This section is particularly notable for its abundance of large granite boulders covered in bright orange lichen. This famously contrasting palette is a photographer’s paradise, and it’s easy to lose track of time exploring the rock pools and intricacies of such a spectacular landscape.

We soon reach the long sandy stretch of Cod Bay, one of the more remote sections of our walk, before picking up a series of inland tracks which cut across coastal heathland vegetation. These tracks are often ablaze with wildflowers and orchids in early spring. For lunch, we find ourselves a lovely secluded nook – where there may be an opportunity for a swim – before continuing around a hidden lagoon encircled by open marsupial lawns. Here we keep a sharp eye out for Wombats, Black Swans, and Tasmanian Native Hens – an endemic ground dwelling bird species.

On arriving at Deep Creek, depending on water levels, it may be necessary to make a shallow wade across a small outlet to reach our designated afternoon tea stop and the completion of our day’s walking. Again, in good weather – this is a lovely spot for a quick refreshing dip. If energy and time permit, some may choose to continue on along the next stretch of beach for an additional 20 minutes of idyllic beach walking, to the prominent rock formation of Picnic Rocks. Here the bus will meet the group, before returning to our accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Accommodation: Icena Farm

DAY 3 – Eddystone Point to Ansons Bay

Distance: 14km, 5 – 6 hours walking (Approx) Grade: 2 – 3 (Easy to Moderate)

Today’s walk is packed full of highlights. We start our day at larapuna/Eddystone Point – adorned with its beautifully grand lighthouse, built in 1889 from locally quarried granite. This natural promontory is a fascinating site of historic importance to both European and Aboriginal Tasmanians, and we will spend plenty of time exploring some of the wonderful natural and man-made attractions in the area.

Leaving the lighthouse, we break out onto an expansive dune swept beach, often teeming with birdlife. Here we may observe gulls, terns, albatross and gannets – or occasionally migratory species such as short-tailed shearwaters and ruddy turnstones.

The remainder of the day is spent enjoying seemingly endless coves – each being worthy of their own picture-perfect postcard. There are numerous shelly beaches to inspect, and lovely small bays for swimming. This area also boasts some of the more interesting rock formations of the trip, awaiting decipherment from a creative types’ imagination.

After passing across another dune swept beach, we finish our day at Ansons Bay – wading a narrowing in the lagoon to reach our designated afternoon tea spot, and meet back up with the bus.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Accommodation: Icena Farm

DAY 4 – Humbug Point Loop

Distance: 10kms, 4 hours (Approx) Grade: 2 – 3 (Easy to Moderate)

This morning we get a slightly earlier start before heading out for our final walk. Today’s hike is an interesting mix of changing landscapes within the Bay of Fires Conservation & Recreation Area – this walk is a hidden gem, a local’s secret. Consisting of historic Xanthorrhoea grass trees, sclerophyll forest and an array of wildlife, you will encounter ocean views from a higher vantage point and walk through a dynamic coastal environment set on higher ground above the beach.

Beginning at Moulting Bay, we walk a small stretch of beach around the point towards the Georges Bay inlet, here you will have views of St Helens Oyster farm, Lease 65 and across the bay towards the township of St Helens and St Helens Point Conservation Area.

As we traverse a little higher, we encounter a woodland environment, home to many bird species and providing glimpses of the ocean and coastline through the tall trees. Somewhere along here we will select a suitable shady lunch spot, and maybe take the opportunity for one last refreshing swim.

Passing over a forested hill, it’s not much farther until we reach the end of our loop– This is a beautiful place to finish, before slipping back into the “real-world.” We wave goodbye to the white sand and orange rocks of the Bay of Fires, before returning to Launceston via the lovely sea-side town of St Helens.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch