Our History

Completed in 1999, the Bay of Fires Lodge is located on 35 hectares of private land, surrounded by the Mount William National Park and adjoining the coast.  Consequently the building is small scale, sustainable and autonomous in providing and managing its existence.  Comprised of a long "shed", the Lodge has been gently "let into a restricted footprint" amongst the native casuarinas.  The deliberate siting of the Lodge ensured that there was minimal disturbance to the natural features and maximum connection with the surrounds.  It is shielded from view from all angles except for a window facing the Tasman Sea. 

The Mount William National Park was established in 1973, occupying 14,000 hectares of land that had been previously run as a pastoral property.  The National Park was created as a means to preserve the last remaining habitat for the Eastern Grey Kangaroo in Tasmania, the only large kangaroo in Tasmania.  Such an environment has encouraged the proliferation of many other native animals such as pademelons, echidnas, possums, Bennetts wallabies and devils.  Similarly the bird life is rich and varied with over 100 species of birds frequenting the area.  Predominantly coastal heath and woodland, the north east coast of Tasmania has a rich diversity of vegetation, which therefore supports a large fauna population.

The Mount William National Park has a rich indigenous heritage with remnants of the times when aboriginal tribes migrated to this coast for winter.  Huge middens of discarded shells are scattered along the coast and are a precious reminder of the history belonging to this area. 

The Eddystone Point houses and surrounds, otherwise known as Larapunya, have been leased by the Aboriginal Land Council on a 40 year lease which has been signed by both the Tasmania Government and the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania.  Access to Eddystone Point lightstation remains unimpeded.  The lease shall ensure the Aboriginal community is able to continue its close connection with this culturally rich area.  They shall also work closely with Parks and Wildlife Services to maintain the buildings.

The four day Bay of Fires Lodge Walk has been designed around the spectacular attributes of this little known National Park.  It is a physically active, fully accommodated guided walking experience that was set up with the intention of providing a short break holiday. Utilising the rich and varied natural and cultural resources of this coastal area, an informative interpretation program was designed with the assistance of a specialist from Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.  The interpretation program, combined with the activity of walking and exploring, has created a fantastic four day getaway in a little known pristine coastal environment.

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