The sun is out and we are happy. We head for Scottsdale for a recommended scallop pie (Tassie specialty) to find the bakery no longer exists. So we find another and are very disappointed with the result. Oh well, we will try again somewhere else at a later date. Luckily, nothing else disappoints today!

We pass through the most beautiful scenic countryside… green rolling paddocked hills, dotted with sheep, cows and cute farmhouse cottages with flower laden gardens – rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias. OMG the colour! The colours just seem so intense – even the flowers are brighter- red… pink… bright yellow wattle or daffodils and jonquils line the roads or clump under the trees. We kept exclaiming- “Wow- look how green it is!” Green green green! It seems unnatural somehow… green- so bright it’s almost luminous. Like I imagine the Garden of Eden! Life abundantly.

We have a quick stop at Sideling Lookout which offers sweeping views of the town of Scottsdale and the fertile countryside. So beautiful! And we walk on the mossy grass that feels like walking on clouds.

The road has plenty of twists and turns as it winds its way through the mountains. With no internet connection we are lucky that I had read a recommendation to download offline google maps or we might have been very lost.

We stop at Little Blue Lake which is truly a unique hidden gem tucked away in the northeast region of Tasmania. Gazing at the vivid aqua-coloured waters, once again we are exclaiming, “OMG- the colour!” A relic of the regions tin mining days- the lake formed in an old tin mine hole and the striking colour of the water comes from minerals in the lakebed. Blue blue blue… again it looks unnatural (probably because it is!😆). Other worldly! And so stunning- like a glacial lake. The photos really don’t do this place justice. The water is a spectacular vivid blue which is much more impressive in person.

Our ultimate destination for the day is the Bay of Fires, easily one of Australia’s most beautiful beachside destinations known for it’s incredible coastal colour palett. Stretching for over 50 kilometres the chain of beaches, bays and coves stretches all the way from Binalong Bay in the south to Eddystone Point in the north. Granite boulders scatter the coastline lighting up the landscape in a million shades of red and orange and yellow. These wild splashes of colour provide a surreal contrast to the green weathered windswept myrtles and gums that hang onto the banks of crystal-clear turquoise waters that sparkle in the sunlight… and the sweeping powder white-sand beaches that carve the coast as far as the eye can see… it makes for a phenomenal photo backdrop and I am in my element

The ochre boulders scattered along the Bay of Fires coastline are orange due to a combination of algae and fungus known as lichens. These lifeforms live together in a symbiotic relationship and create the orange colour you see on the boulders.

You might be mistaken in thinking that the name “Bay of Fires” originates from the unique orange boulders scattered along the coast. However, the name stems from captain Tobias Furneaux, who sailed past the Bay in 1773 and named it after the hundreds of aboriginal campfires that dotted the coast. Indigenous Australians named the bay Larapuna and recognised the place as an important area for gathering, fishing and conducting ceremonies.

We just drive around the coastline stopping at the many pull-over points and accessing the beach and headlands and quickly discover that there are hundreds of beautiful rock pools surrounded by orange ochre boulders- although we couldn’t find the ‘Mermaid Pool’ that I was looking for.

We stay in Binalong Bay- a tiny town full of holiday shacks, bobbing boats, charming cafes and friendly faces- and only one restaurant… overlooking the incredible white sand beach. Here we relax and watch the sunset with a wine or two, enjoy an average dinner and head home for an early night. Tomorrow is a big day!