boutique accommodation Tasmania
Travellers' Tales OF WALKING IN TASMANIA
We invite you to share your stories with us at Bay of Fires Travellers’ Tales. We believe in travel that is personal and passionate, and hope that in taking a journey with us you will be transformed in some way, your life richer and deeper for the experience.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 26 Jan 2012
Hi BOF,
You’re organisation is AMAZING guys and the BOF walk is awesome.
Thank you BOF for the most wonderful 4 days. Your organisation is very professional and I felt looked after with a high level of detail every step of the way. It allowed me to relax and enjoy our holiday with a good combination of some hard work (walking / kayaking) and luxury. Tassie also put on the good weather for us – the usual I suspect - and our guides Jordy and Ingrid were super-super good! They were so informative and highly adaptable to our needs and a pleasure to hang out with. They were highly professional and we had a good many laughs too. A perfect combination.
Thanks to your whole team - everyone involved each step of the way.
I will spread the word…..
All the best for 2012,
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 04 Jan 2012
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 01 Oct 2011
What would the world be without people? It would be beautiful still. In many places, far more beautiful than it is with them. The Bay of Fires is beautiful in its natural state - but if we did not go there, how would we know? How would others know?
So, in the going, we discover the beauty and natural intricacy of the place, and leave in awe and wonder that the Big Bang could produce such things. But these thoughts, these feelings and appreciations are human constructs - internal reactions to an externality. When we share them with others, they are reflected so that we can test them, check them from another perspective, and because we are social creatures, we find pleasure in that process. Sounds a bit clinical, but the pleasure is real and earthy!
The pleasure I found in these shared and reflected experiences last week are a real treasure. Our guides, Hannah and Monique, are gems of humans in their own right, and with our other travelling companions added a whole new level of joy and laughter, and discovery too.
Paddy Pallin once said that the only trips he regrets are the ones he didn't do. That's true, but there are some trips that stand out because they are more than just covering ground, they are uncovering a soul. The Bay of Fires in 2011 did that for me.
I s'pose I could have just said 'fantastic - loved it!' - would have been shorter. But life's too short to abbreviate. ;-)
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 10 Mar 2009
The Motley Crew
We’re on the Bay of Fires walk
That’s what we are told
This Motley Crew accepts our fate
And steps out strong & bold
Day one begins at Q estate
And courtesies are shared
Before we trek along the beach
And have our weak-links bared
Daves and Brians predominate
As namesakes are revealed
Before we pack our backs with loads
And our fate is sealed
Round the table intros
Reveal all sorts of reasons
Like seasoned travellers in Rob & Mac
Who have walked for many seasons
Some are novices like Toots & Marian
Who have attached themselves & leeched
To celebrate with Lynne & Brian
For milestones not long reached
Dave tests out the water
As ‘travelling companions’ are described
Marj gives him a look of threat
That belongs to an Amazon tribe
Our fearless leaders H & Kate
We follow with our soles
“Trust in us we know this plot
We both should know our roles”
Dave or Willow as he’s known
Shows that he’s no mouse
To match the sense of humour
Of artistic Jo, his spouse
Sony lens are pointed
At every rock in sight
As Jo’s passionate approach to art
Seeks views in different light
Strenuous days unfold
Without a gram to gain
Brian shows a Galahad streak
And shares his boots with pain
Coastal heathland with their middens
Take on a different hue
As Kate’s environmental slant
Is absorbed by this motley crew
“Golf will never be the same” cries Brian
As he examines the grazing grounds
“H’s square shaped poo is hard to putt
And especially over mounds”
Beach camp is an oasis
After muscles are discovered first
Grog rations test the mettle
To satisfy our thirst
“A flesh eating marsupial
Has given me a fright !”
Cries our resident artist
As she visits Clive at night
The lighthouse is a beacon
And focus for our walk
To reach this spot and stop for lunch
And share the common talk
“Not long to go” cries H
“It’s just around the bend”
This seems a common trait for guides
To test our trust no end
The lodge atop the mountain
Looks easy from the beach
But tests our muscles and our backs
As we strive to reach
Group B we have become
As we eye off those soft couches
But after dinner shows our style
And proves we are no slouches
Fireside chatter with more red wine
As we settle down in pairs
Leads to tiredness and early beds
But double types are scarce
‘Travelling companions’ have grabbed the chance
And taken early flight
Whilst the Macs are left in single minds
To help them share the night
Next morning kayaks await us down the track
As we suffer 4 wheel glee
To laugh in unison at Marian’s plight
When a bull ant joins her pee
Double trouble looms ahead
As Judy shows her wares
When Toots’s steering comes under fire
And suffers Marian’s glares
Kayak coupling is disallowed
But peace & love prevail
Shipmates we have all become
Before we hit the trail
Barefoot hiking completes our day
As we approach the coup
Group A we have become
To welcome the next group
A Willow welcome that is
If he gets his way
“We’re here first – pee off you B’s
The couches are ours this day”
But before that happened & before ascent
And much to Jo’s delight
There appears a rock that stirs her passions
Willow will be right tonight
Iconic phallic symbol it has become
For this motley crew
Penis rock has created a fuss
And homage must be due
So raise your glasses one & all
And cascade greens in lieu
A toast to this mighty ten
This beautiful Motley Crew
BOF March 2009
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 24 Feb 2011
What a beautiful experience! A wonderful journey, great company and gorgeous scenery. Thanks to Dom & Joel for looking after us so well and adding lots of fun and humour whilst still being very informative. Had a wonderful night sleep at the camp and the lodge is very stylish. A great mix of activities followed by sensational food. We have really enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks to all the team you definately have it down to a fine art. Brilliant!
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 08 Feb 2011
We've thoroughly enjoyed our "Bay of Fires" experience. Our guides Rita & Sam have been exceptional - very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and fun! It was so nice to return to the comfortable lodge after our daily activities to fine wine and beautiful food! And of course the scenery is amazing. Thanks for everything.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 09 Jan 2011
"Bay of Fires" where does one start - peaceful, beautiful, natural wonderland, the list is endless. This experience was a present from our beautiful children Daniel and Caitlin to celebrate our 50th birthdays together - wow how much do we love our kids - unmeasurable much like the experience at the Bay of Fires.
It was a beautiful experience with beautiful memories which we will cherish forever. The location is unreal but what really makes it is your staff - so friendly.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 07 May 2011
Hi all
When we finally stepped up onto the deck of the Lodge and our host Bec announced that we were at Bay of Fires Lodge, my secret planning of the past 11 months really came up trumps! Nobody had guessed where we were going and the contrast between the depression felt when Brian the bus driver announced 'you walk from here' to the elation to find that fantastic lodge at the end of our 45 min scramble through the scrub and mud - had to be seen to be believed!!
Thank you all for making our Magical Mystery Tour to Bay of Fires Lodge so fantastic, memorable and in fact perfect.
All eleven of us enjoyed the marvelous lodge and its location, the wonderful hosts / chefs / organizers Bec and Will; the cheerful, helpful and capable guide Joel; meal after meal of interesting and delicious fare – not to mention the wombats, the perfect weather and alignment of the planets (clearly seen by ME at 5.30 one morning!!).
We are all unanimous in our gratitude and appreciation to the whole Bay of Fires team who obviously made a tremendous effort to ensure our stay was as successful as it was.
Thank you so much
Kerry
and John, Susan, John, Erin, Glenn, Tim, Erin, Deb, Ben and Hugh
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 01 May 2011
It's hard not to be repetitive. What are themes? Fabulous experience, spectacular food, great guides, huge skies, remarkable landscape. Perhaps the world would be a better place if more people had access to experiences like this.
There were six of us, friends and relations with a very happy smattering of others who were delightful company. We started laughing fairly early on in the bus ride and I'm not sure we stopped till we hauled ourselves off into our accommodation after we'd finished having had what my wife called 'a whale of a time'.
There is a very particular pleasure in this experience I think. Despite all the laughter and conviviality, there is something meditative in the rhythms you establish when you walk with your destination in sight but perhaps an hour or an hour and a half away. The destination disappears in the step-by-step process of the moment. And then the step-by-step business dissolves and your mind becomes calmer and easier, healthier. That sounds a bit cosmic, but I think it is something like that, measured off against the warmth of the welcome and the splendid fun of the sociability when the walking stops. And we did see Sea Eagles. That almost in itself was worth the price.
Great guides (Bree and Simon), great guiding. This trip and the Overland have the same excellent flavour which one of us described as casual and relaxed, but absolutely tuned in. It is a very special skill and helps make a very fine experience a great one. Fabulous. We are all so glad we went.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 05 Apr 2011
Two girlfriends and I undertook this walk in early April (also a couple from Sydney). For all sorts of reasons we were worn out and this became the therapy that we needed to reinvigorate and revive. We had the great fortune to experience perfect conditions and we felt we were in paradise. We were relatively fit so the walking was never too onerous although, somethimes, it was challenging. We hadn't carried packs before but, by day four, we hardly felt them. Our guides (Liz and Nikki) were informative and wonderful company and, once we arrived at our overnight stay, they turned into chefs. We were thrilled with the tent stay and then overwhelmed by the beauty of the eco-lodge. We adored the whole experience which is well-planned and respectful of a pristine environment. Serenity was the norm and we loved it. Thanks to all.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 12 Jan 2011
Adam, my son who accompanied me on our recent Bay of Fires adventure, in fact it was his suggestion that we take the trip, and I had the most wonderful time. We had anticipated a superb walk over the few days in the midst of a stunning landscape but we had not anticipated such an adventure. River crossings, rain.... and more rain and the last day some sun. But it did not diminish the trip at all, in fact it made it more wonderful as we could appreciate so many different things including the skill and resourceful of the guides of whom Aaron and Joe must be seen as the exemplars. Congratulations to the entire crew they are marvellous as indeed were the accommodations plus the dining experience.
I shall aim for a repeat experience, perhaps at Cradle Mountain?
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 14 Jan 2011
We had the most wonderful time on our Bay of Fires experience. Mother nature was not kind to us. Apparently it was the wettest they had seen it there at the lodge for a long time. I will start by commending your company for the calibre of staff you employ. We were so lucky to have been assigned Ryan and Ingrid as our guides. They were extremely passionate about their job, very friendly, helpful & knowledgeable about the area. They did everything possible to keep our spirits high & make the trip fun. They really are great young kids who work really hard at their jobs & are very good at it. We were amazed at the quality of food they prepared for us at the beach camp considering the facilities & their age, but it was fantastic. It didn't stop there .... we could of stayed at the lodge for weeks! The food, the atmosphere & service was outstanding. We feel privileged to have met such wonderful people as Ryan & Ingrid as well as the friends we've made from our group. Such a diverse group of people who just 'gelled'. We also thank Bec (lodge manager) who also made our stay very pleasurable (the cakes & tarts etc were to die for). All in all, we believe we have been on a trip of a lifetime with treasured memories that will stay with us forever. We dont tend to do the same trip twice, but how could we not come back, bring some friends (hopefully with the sun out) to share such a magical place. Thanks for everything.
Lee-Anne & Paul
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 23 Nov 2010
As an ecologist based in Godzone (i.e. NZ) I am used to landscapes of great beauty and awe. Yet the Bay of Fires trek simply has to rank as one of my most awesome experiences to date. The landscapes/seascapes there are exceptional. And as for the guides - as well as being a University qualified ecologist (who simply knew everything about everything), Dom (our guide) snorkelled for us at Beach Camp and we dined on the finest entree of Abalonee (the best seafood ever). I never do the same trip twice - but in this case I think I might have to make an exception. The Bay of Fires trek is beyond brilliance ... I'll be seeing you again !!
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 01 Oct 2010
The Bay of Fires was one of the most amazing and beautiful trips I have ever done. Our group LOVED it and enjoyed every minute of the experience. Hanna and Zac were incredible and inspirational and made our trip so special. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 19 May 2009
What a lovely relaxing and ever so scenic walk. There's nothing like the Bay of Fires Walk to regenerate your mind, body and soul
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 26 Feb 2010
To the Management,
Ross and I have just returned from our walk along the Bay of Fires and we would like you to know how wonderful an experience it was for us. We have been lucky enough to experience many wonderful walks, lodges and resorts within Australia and throughtout the world and our walk to the Bay of Fires Lodge was equal to anything else we have had to experience. The scenery, lodge, accomodation and FOOD was just amazing, but we feel the total experience was made all the more memorable by the two wonderful guides, Anna and Peter, who looked after and cared for us so well. You are very lucky to have suce wonderful people working for you and it was our luck that they were assigned to our trip. We thank you for such a wonderful time and we shall be telling all our friends go to the Bay of Fires. Cheers Gayle & Ross Duncan
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 05 Feb 2010
Dear Ros
Earlier this week we arrived home from a wonderful 4 days on the Bay of Fires Walk. The guides, Tara and Hannah were fantastic and nothing was too much trouble, tremendous food so we certainly didn't lose any weight, and the scenery was spectacular. As it was a terrific experience all round, we are now hoping to do the overland trip early next year!
Many thanks again for a great holiday
Bronwyn and Keith Halpin
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 28 Jan 2010
The Bay of Fires Walk certainly jumpstarts one's zest for life.
Recently a Sydney based friend asked why he would do this walk, when he already lives near the beach.
My reply apart from the obvious re fresh air and where Nature still dominates was:
With fine hot weather for spectacular natural vistas and photographs, low tides and hard sands for easy walking, vibrant tawny and yellow lichens on ancient granite boulders,white squeaky sands,cobalt and turquoise seas with abundant birdlife and dolphins,fragrant coastal heath with huge furry bumblebees and led by enthusiastic young guides (Tara & Colleen), how could one not enjoy oneself. And that was just the first afternoon of 9 kms.I even forgot I was carrying a 10kg backpack with my 2 litres of water.
Each day was entrancing with new flora and sea landscapes plus breath taking cold dips in the Bass Strait.A full moon on the final night was Nature's farewell.
The decade old BoF eco-lodge does 'tread lightly on the earth'and by the end of four days, I was refreshed in mind and body, and extremely well fed on healthy local Tassie food and wine. And not one stiff muscle.
The philosophy of Ken Latona, the founder of this magnificent walk was to 'look outwards, not inwards'. So true. Good to see the new owners, Anthology, following the same principles.
Highly recommended. Even for middle aged city slickers who're not sure of their physical prowess. Cradle Mountain walk even seems possible as my next jumpstarter.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 24 Nov 2009
A FABULOUS EXPERIENCE IN A BEAUTIFUL PART OF AUSTRALIA,GREAT WEATHER, LED BY 2 VERY HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE TOUR GUIDES,CLAIR AND ROSIE.TOP MEALS AND SERVICE. THANKS.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 31 Dec 2009
I am safely back in Brisbane and need to tell you that the Bay of fires experience was an absolute success for me. Everything was just perfect. the guides were wonderful. I was the oldest on the walk, but they did not let me feel this. I needed some assistance with rock hopping and the guys were incredibly helpful. and made the trip a wonderful experience. I was no new to the East coast, but the remoteness of Mt Williams National Park along these pristine beaches was life refreshing.
The guides also managed to cement the group into a cohesive bunch of new friends, and I have made good friends. What they managed to serve up at the beach camp was beyond expectations and the camp was very comfortable.
Now to the lodge. It was all and much more than I anticipated. Having walked Cradle Mountain some years ago, I had an idea of the type of accommodation, but B of F much exceeded that.
I now want to congratulate Aimee and rob for their stewardship at that Lodge. they do a fantastic job and are very good cooks. We all appreciated that they were not 'servants' but very much part of the group and shared their meals with us.
You are doing this whole thing extremely well. I have already recommended the walk to relatives and friends and convinced two Launceston friends to do it soon.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 30 Nov 2009
Thankyou Ryan and Zac for making our trip such a superb one. Your encouragement when battling into the wind on the first day was much needed and your knowledge of the area & its wildlife fantastic.Thankfully after day 1 the weather was perfect. Our evenings spent in the camp site and the lodge were made very special given the quality of the meals you both prepared and the wonderful ambience created by just being in this beautiful part of the world and being looked after by such attentive guides and lodge managers.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 27 Nov 2009
What a great trip, shame about the grey skies but we had a great adventure. Tara and Zane were brilliant and made our trip so fabulous. So much yummy food and lots of laughs. We really enjoyed ourselves. Highly recommend.
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 14 Mar 2009
We had the most amazing time, the weather wasn't the best the first couple of days , but the scenery and the way it was organizes was amazing and then getting to the lodge were the food the accomadation and the general atmosphere was more than we hope for , we booked a trip of 10 friends and had the best time we all bounced off each other the Guides James and Tara were mazellous nothing was a problem for them I highly recommed this expeirence it was hard going back to city life
Gaile Johnson
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 05 Mar 2009
Dear Bay of Fires Group
We recently have returned from a Bay of Fires walk (Mar 5-9) with Gus and Briony as our guides. I was just wanting to pass onto you our thanks for such a fantastic adventure - the guides we had were exceptional - not only in their professionalism - but also in their ability to pass on their obvious passion and enthusiasm for their job and the area itself.
It is very rare to see such qualities in staff - and if you could pass on our feedback on our guides and our groups thanks to the manager/ owner of the lodge, it would be much appreciated
Thankyou again to all your employees (esp Gus and Briony) who made the Bay of Fires such a memorable experience
Wishing you all the very best
Katie Watson
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 19 Jan 2009
My son and i took part in the Bay of Fires walk on the 19th of jan 2009.We were at first hesitant as my son who is 23 has a vision impairment which requires him to mobilise with assistance of a white cane and we were unsure whether he would be able to negotiate the many Headlands heath and bush which make up a large part of the walk.We need not have been concerned.The guides for tour Aaron,Dominic,and Hannah provided unending support,patience and knowledge of the environment and should be congratulated on their efforts.We were also fortunate that our fellow walkers were a happy and supportive bunch and i am sure that we have made some great friends.
Thankyou,Thankyou,Thankyou,for the experience of a lifetime
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 16 Jan 2007
We came down to walk the Cradle Mountain walk, but the day we arrived, a fire caused our trip to be cancelled! Luckily, there were two spots on the Bay of Fires walk and we jumped at it. It was an amazing experience, having done NO research on the area, and never having heard of it before, we were blown away. It was wonderful walking through the forests to the white pristine sands of the beaches, looking out over the blue sea breaking round the red lichen covered smooth boulders of the shore. We went skinny dipping a number of times, and we felt so free, so lost in a wilderness and so peaceful. On top of all that, the opportunity to kayak down a river to the sea, gave us an ideal way to see the forests, and even a sea eagle. The Bay of Fires lodge defies description, as it yawns out from its high perch, overlooking beaches and forests. The food was amazing, the company awesome and the information and camaraderie provided by our guides just could not have been better. We were sad that we missed out on the Overland Track, but we decided to book immediately for April to do that walk. But that's another tale ....
A Tale from... Bay of Fires 4 day walk - 06 Apr 2008
The Bay of Fires walk would have to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. With every step I felt reinvigorated. The beautiful scenery, fine company and local guides (so local, in fact, that one of them was the lighthouse keeper’s son!) kept spirits high, with accommodation at the award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge a real highlight.
In such a pristine environment, the cares of everyday life disappear and it’s easy to imagine how this incredible place would have looked thousands of years ago: by my guess, not much would have changed at all.
It’s a true privilege to be able to walk in such wonder under exceptional guidance. Unforgettable, remarkable and exhilarating, this is a holiday not to be missed!
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