04 Tasmania: Eaglehawk Neck - St Helens

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose..." - Dr. Seuss

(The Tesselated Pavement of Pirates Bay)

Day 04: 23 August 23 (Wednesday)
Route: Eaglehawk Neck - Swansea - Bicheno - St Helens 

Distance: 250 km
Hotel: Queechy Cottages, St Helens

(Lufra Hotel at Eaglehawk Neck)

Breakfast was egg sandwich and coffee. Before we checked out, we walked along the beach to visit the Tessellated Pavement State Reserve a short distance from the hotel. The tiled rocks are a stunning pattern formed mostly of siltstone that formed about 300 million years ago. The rocks were fractured by the movement of the Earth and erosion made by sea water.

(The two of us at the beach)

(Coastal erosion has created striking patterns)

(Flat rock surface subdivided into polygons fractures)

(Our shadows on the Tessellated Pavement)

(Fossil cliff and seagulls on the beach)

From Eaglehawk Neck, we drove towards St Helens. It was the start of our Eastern Loop road trip. 

(Plenty of time to drive between destinations

(Heading down country lanes)

At Swansea we stopped at the Spiky Bridge, another attraction along the way. The Spiky Bridge was built by convicts in the mid 19th century on the east coast of Tasmania located 7.5 kilometres from the town of Swansea. The bridge is made from field stones laid without mortar or cement and the parapet features upright stones, giving the bridge a spiky appearance.

(Spiky Bridge is likely to be built in 1843)

(A bridge built by convicts)

(Not to protect humans, but to keep cattle safe)

(Made from field stones laid without mortar)

From Swansea we headed towards Bicheno to have lunch at Lobster Shack with a beautiful view of the sea. The Lobster Shack is a boutique, farm gate style eatery overlooking the majestic ‘Gulch’ in Bicheno. The Lobster Shack provides a truly authentic ocean-to-plate experience. We had Fish & Chips and a large bowl of tasty Seafood Chowder with steaming hot chocolate.

(A breathtaking coastal town)

(A wide range of ready-to-eat fresh local seafood)

(Lobster Shack - Our taste on a plate)

(Dishes for hungry rumbling stomachs)

From Bicheno we drove direct to St Helens and checked in Queechy Motel located by the highway overlooking the Beauty Bay. After solat we drove to Bay of Fires but it was already dark when we reached the look-out point at the Gardens. 

The Bay of Fires is located on the northeastern coast of Tasmania. It includes a gorgeous coastline that stretches over 50 kilometres from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north. The Bay of Fires gets it name from the reddish-orange colored lichens growing on the rocks.

(Reputed as one of the most pristine natural wonders)

(The brilliant reddish-orange lichen on the granite boulders)

        05 Tasmania: St Helens - Launceston👉

👈03 Tasmania: Hobart - Port Arthur