ST HELENS - BAY OF FIRES

Leaving the Launceston region behind, we made our way towards our next destination, St Helens, with a stop in the charming historic village of Evandale. Often regarded as one of Tasmania's best-preserved heritage towns, Evandale is lined with beautifully restored late-Georgian and early-Victorian buildings, many dating back to 1809, giving visitors the feeling of stepping back in time.

One of our favourite discoveries was the Evandale Village Store, housed in the original general store built in 1843. Remarkably, it has traded continuously ever since, and much of the original shop fit-out remains today, making it a fascinating place to browse.

For lunch, we settled into the historic Clarendon Arms, a heritage-listed hotel built in 1847 by English settler Thomas Fall. Rich in history, the pub is renowned for its convict-built brick beer garden and its connection to the father of the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly. On a chilly winter's day, there was no better place to enjoy lunch than beside the crackling open fireplace before continuing our journey.

By late afternoon we arrived in St Helens, the largest town on Tasmania's picturesque north-east coast. Set on the shores of Georges Bay, St Helens is renowned as Tasmania's game fishing capital and is equally famous for its fresh oysters.

The following day we spent the morning wandering the peaceful foreshore from our accommodation into town, enjoying the calm waters of the bay while colourful fishing boats gently bobbed at their moorings.

In the afternoon, we explored one of Tasmania's true natural wonders with a spectacular beach walk beginning at Binalong Bay through the breathtaking Bay of Fires. The bay takes its name from Captain Tobias Furneaux, who sailed past in 1773 and observed the campfires of the Aboriginal people burning along the coastline. Today, evidence of Tasmania's First Nations people can still be found in the ancient shell middens scattered among the coastal vegetation.

The Bay of Fires is equally famous for the brilliant orange lichen that blankets the granite boulders, creating a stunning contrast against dazzling white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. Around every bend was another postcard-perfect scene. It was impossible not to stop every few minutes to admire the views, and as a photographer I was in heaven capturing the endless colours, textures and beauty of this remarkable coastline.

Between our visits to the Bay of Fires, we took a scenic drive inland to Pyengana, a lush rural valley about 30 minutes west of St Helens. Surrounded by rolling green farmland, rainforest and winding rivers, the region is renowned for its heritage dairy farms and spectacular waterfalls.

Our first stop was Halls Falls, a peaceful little waterfall tucked away amongst lush forest. Its tranquil setting made it the perfect place to slow down and simply enjoy the sounds of nature. From there we continued to the magnificent St Columba Falls, one of Tasmania's tallest waterfalls. Dropping more than 90 metres, around 220,000 litres of water thunder over the cliff face every minute, splitting into multiple cascades before crashing amongst enormous boulders, fallen trees and branches below. The sheer scale and power of the falls were truly impressive.

On our final day in St Helens, we couldn't resist returning to the Bay of Fires one last time. This time we explored Jeanneret Beach on the opposite side of Binalong Bay. Once again, we were greeted by the vibrant orange lichen clinging to the granite boulders, but it was the unbelievably clear water that captivated us most. Shimmering in every shade of turquoise and framed by pristine white sand, it looked almost too perfect to be real.

Another unexpected discovery was a rustic shelter perched atop the granite boulders at the highest point of the headland. Ingeniously constructed from driftwood, sticks and foliage gathered from the surrounding bush, it even featured a simple slatted bed positioned to take in uninterrupted ocean views. It felt like a hidden sanctuary, and I couldn't help but imagine someone spending the night there beneath a canopy of stars, lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves.

Without question, Jeanneret Beach is the most beautiful beach we have ever visited. I was once again in photographer's paradise, happily capturing the extraordinary colours and rugged beauty of this incredible coastline, while Lynette was perfectly content sitting quietly on a granite boulder, soaking in the peaceful surroundings. It was the perfect way to farewell one of Tasmania's most unforgettable destinations.