Freycinet Peninsula and the Bay of Fires

After picking up our delicious bread from the Ross Bakery, we made good time to the coast, and before we knew it we had set up camp at Coles Bay.  The first thing was to claim a washing machine and start working through a mountain of clothes. The second was to head down to the beach!

Coles Bay is the stepping off point for the Freycinet Peninsular. Camping in the National Park is extremely popular between Christmas and New Year, however there were plenty of spots available at the time of our visit, and if we were to come here again, we would definitely stay in the National Park.  As it was, the caravan park, with its playground, was a hit with the kids, and we were burning dollar coins in the laundr

The scenery in the area is spectacular, and we were all keen to hike to Wineglass Bay, but inclement weather threatened, and we decided to have a rest day.  It didn't stop us doing a bit of exploring, and we loved the little Honeymoon Bay.

A rest day was just what the doctor ordered, and I took the opportunity to do a bit of maintenance on the camper and install a new isolator and a 12 volt computer fan to help keep the fridge a bit cooler.  We had been having a few problems with the big 80 litre Waeco in Matilda, and I wanted to try a couple of things out before admitting defeat and spending some big dollars on new fridge.

We did see the entrance to Wineglass Bay from Cape Tourville, and enjoyed a short stroll around the lighthouse there on the morning of our departure.  We had not seen anywhere near enough of Freycinet, and vowed to return.

On the way north, I sampled the best chocolate pavlova I have ever had, and the kids enjoyed some delicious berry ice cream at the Eurkea Fruit Farm.  It was time for some serious relaxing, and before long we found ourselves set up at Sloop Reef in the Bay of Fires at a magnificent beachside camp.

Y, 

Our view was magnificent - and whilst the water was decidedly on the chilly side - we knew we were in a special place.

It was also time to try our our new job roster.  We had noticed the boys weren't particularly interested in helping with all the little jobs - so Jo devised a roster to ensure everything was fair and reduce the squabbling we has noticed increase.  It so happens that on Saturday nights, the boys are responsible for the evening meal.  They picked the menu, and chose Nachos, followed by a death by chocolate dessert.  They also had to shop for their meal, and after buying the corn chips, mince, yoghurt and avocado, dessert was thankfully paired back to Mint Slice biscuits and custard. 

The boys loved it...  They got a real buzz out of cooking dinner, and they did a ripper of a job.  I might have been a little proud of the two of them

Now, if only I could teach them to make beer too!

Bay of Fires gets its name from the red lichen growing on the granite boulders in the area.  The effect is quite stunning, and with the sun out the effect is spectacular.  It was the perfect plaice to sit back and watch the world go by.

With the sun out, the beaches are spectacular.  We found a tourist brochure with their main promo shot taken on the beach just down from our camp... Yep, we jagged the best camp in the place again.

And even better, the park fire ban lifted, so we were able to enjoy some chops and sausages cooked with the natural flavour you can only get cooking on an open fire.  It was bliss!

Our time was fast running out in Tassie.  We sadly left our camp after a couple of glorious days and started tracking east.  We only had one night left - but we managed to see so much it needs another article in itself.  That is part of the wonderful thing about Tasmania, everything is so close, that you can spend heaps of time looking at stuff, and not sitting in the car... Love it!