Our four-day hike with The Tasmanian Walking Company starts at Stumpy’s Bay in the state’s north-east, and in the bright sunshine we take in the clear views across to the Bass Strait islands before heading south down the spectacular white sand beach.
About an hour in, we get to enjoy lunch in a sheltered spot where our lovely guides whip up a brew for us on their little camping stove and a few of the group take a dip in the turquoise waters of the bay. The afternoon’s hike is only four hours, but hard work at times – clambering over boulders and walking on soft sand requires a bit of extra leg power. So we’re over the moon to reach our accommodation at Forester Beach camp, in among the sand dunes and within earshot of the ocean. Here, our amazing guides whip up a restaurant-worthy dinner of salmon with Asian noodle salad, as well as chocolate mousse, while the group relaxes over a glass of wine.
Barefoot in paradise
Our second day of walking begins in a relaxed fashion. After wallaby-spotting on the marsupial lawns, we continue down the coast along ridgelines of sand dunes, stopping for lunch near Eddystone Point Lighthouse. Getting our boots off and walking barefoot along the beach is a high point of the afternoon before our last short ascent to the Bay of Fires Lodge, our luxurious accommodation for the next two nights. Footbaths await, with chilled wine and beer to enhance the experience. Heaven!
Time to chill
Options for the third day include kayaking on the Ansons River and some of our group do this, while we decide to relax at the lodge. Massages are enjoyed in the glorious eco spa, and the library proves to be a relaxing chill-out zone. The kayakers are welcomed back from their energetic day with afternoon tea, including cake still warm from the oven. Somehow we manage to find room for another delicious evening meal, perfectly accompanied by Tasmanian wine and beer.
A fitting finale
After the usual hearty breakfast, we hoick on our backpacks, lace up our boots and embark on the final one-hour hike through eucalypt forests. At our guide’s suggestion, we each walk the final leg alone and in silence so we can fully appreciate our surroundings – a fitting end to an amazing hike!
TO GO: Check out the Bay of Fires walk at taswalkingco.com.au.
Pics: Tasmanian Walking Company / Sue Ramsey.
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