Guide to the Larapuna / Bay of Fires area
Beach dreams begin here.
Lining Tasmania’s north-east coast, the Larapuna / Bay of Fires area is that perfect combination of dazzling white beaches, clear azure seas and granite rocks ablaze with orange lichen.
Campgrounds sit behind glorious beaches, and there are myriad ways to enjoy or explore the coast: walk, mountain bike, cruise or simply recline on a beach towel.
The Bay of Fires was named by English navigator Tobias Furneaux in 1773 when he saw fires burning along the coast, lit by Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Aptly, the Larapuna area, which includes the Bay of Fires, is the setting for one of Tasmania’s first Aboriginal tourism ventures.
Don't miss
- Stroll the white sands of a Bay of Fires area beach – named Australia's Best Beach for 2025.
- Mix culture and nature on the Palawa-led wukalina Walk.
- Camp behind one of the white-sand beaches to watch the sunrise on the horizon.
Getting here
Binalong Bay, at the southern end of the Bay of Fires Conservation Area, is a 2hr 20min drive (175km) east of Launceston, and a 3hr 20min drive (263km) north-east of Hobart.
Seaton Cove, Bay of Fires Conservation Area
Sean Fennessy
Tourism Tasmania & Scott Sporleder, Matador
Enjoy the beaches and coastal charm of the Larapuna / Bay of Fires area
Sean Scott
Jeanneret Beach, Bay of Fires Conservation Area
She Who Explores
Things to do
Beach hop, or beach stop
Pick a beach, any beach. Stroll the sands and explore the headlands, which are smothered in orange lichen. Or simply roll out a beach towel and laze on the sand. Favourite beaches include Jeanneret, Cosy Corner and Binalong Bay.
wukalina Walk
Discover the long and deep connections of the Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) people to Larapuna – an area that includes the Bay of Fires – on the four-day guided wukalina Walk, bringing together natural beauty, storytelling, culture and bush tucker.
Bay of Fires Lodge Walk
Hike the coast in ultimate comfort on the guided Bay of Fires Lodge Walk, stepping from beach to beach and spending nights in an exclusive lodge set 40m above the sea, with hot showers, a soothing spa and fine food.
Join the Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) owned and led wukalina Walk credit: Jillian Mundy
Jillian Mundy
Bay of Fires Lodge Walk - accommodation
Rob Burnett
Bay of Fires Lodge - Spa
Supplied Courtesy of Tasmanian Walking Company
Mount William National Park
Tucked into the northern edge of Larapuna, Mount William National Park offers a sweeping coastline fringed with squeaky white-sand beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters. It's also home to Tasmania's most easterly point, at Eddystone Point. Inland, you'll find 216m-high Wukalina / Mount William, which has views as far as the Furneaux Islands, while the clearings across the park's plains fill with Forester kangaroos, wallabies and wombats at dawn and dusk. A Tasmanian parks pass is needed to visit this park.
Bay of Fires Trail
Descending from the top of the Blue Tier mountains to the sands of Swimcart Beach, this 42km mountain bike trail is the ultimate adventurous arrival into the Bay of Fires Conservation Area. Part of the St Helens Mountain Bike Trails network, it’s a roller-coaster ride from mountain rainforest to sparkling coast. Tours and shuttle services to and from the trail operate out of St Helens (and Derby). Casual cruisers can hire bikes in St Helens and opt for one of the shorter and easier bike trails,
WHILE YOU'RE IN THE AREA
Stu Gibson
Stu Gibson
Adam Gibson
Adam Gibson
Go camping
Wake to brilliance by rolling out a tent, or parking up the van, behind a Larapuna / Bay of Fires area beach. There are seven campgrounds strung along the short road from St Helens to The Gardens. Or find equally spectacular camping at six designated campgrounds in ​Mount William National Park. The campgrounds along The Gardens road are free, while fees apply in the national park. Camping goes glamping at the Bay of Fires Bush Retreat, with 10 bell tents set in bush behind the main Binalong Bay beach.