Bay of Fires & Ross | Must-Visit Highlights in Tasmania
After exploring 3 top sights along Tasmania's southeast coast, our Tasmania road trip entered day 3! Today's stops were the geographically unique, fiery-hued Bay of Fires and Australia's quaint historic town of Ross.
◎ Bay of Fires
Originally known as "Larapuna," the Bay of Fires stretches along the northeast coast of Tasmania from Binalong Bay all the way up to Eddystone Point. It was first sighted by Captain Tobias Furneaux during his expedition, who saw fires lit by Indigenous Tasmanian people along the beaches and aptly named it the Bay of Fires. (Quite straightforward and practical naming, haha!)
The iconic highlights here are the dazzling white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant orange-red granite rocks! In fact, the Bay of Fires was once named the second most beautiful beach in the world by a prominent British travel guide!
Because we had to head inland towards the midlands town of Ross in the afternoon, we chose to visit Binalong Bay at the southern tip of the Bay of Fires. This is widely considered the most accessible, famous, and essential area of the Bay of Fires—definitely don't miss it!
♁ Location: Binalong Bay, Tasmania, Australia
♁ Transport: Approx. 3.5 hours drive from Hobart, or 3 hours drive from Launceston. (Rental Car Price Comparison | Tasmania Driving Guide)
♁ Recommended Tour: Bay of Fires Day Tour (Took this on my second visit, truly fantastic!)
♁ Official Website: Bay of Fires
♁ Nearby Accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Rates | Where to Stay)
(At Binalong Bay, there are several viewing platforms with information boards introducing the area's rich history and visitor tips.)
(Just like the coasts of Bruny Island, the seawater here is breathtakingly transparent! The rocks take on a distinctive fiery red tone thanks to the colonization of red lichen.)
(Many of the giant boulders are safe to scramble onto. While looking at regular photos might not convey the scale, seeing a child stand on them makes you realize how truly colossal these rocks are!)
(The Bay of Fires is such a tranquil and photogenic paradise. Feeling the gentle sea breeze, admiring the vibrant colors, and sitting on giant rocks surrounded by pure nature was truly unforgettable!)
(Just a 2-minute stroll from the lookout brings you down to Binalong Bay Beach. It definitely lives up to its reputation as a world-class beach. If you have time, swimming here is highly recommended—it's a beloved summer spot for Tasmanian locals!)
(After leaving the Bay of Fires, on our drive over to Ross, we stopped by Captain's Catch Fishmongers for fish and chips. Set right beside the harbor, it's a great scenic rest stop midway between the two sights with tasty food and a lovely atmosphere—a pleasant surprise worth keeping in mind if you're passing by!)
※ Return Visit Note: On my second trip to the Bay of Fires, I joined a Bay of Fires & Lavender Farm Day Tour. I originally just wanted to revisit the main spots without driving, but ended up discovering so many hidden gems. If you are starting from Launceston and prefer not to rent a car, it's a great option!
◎ Ross
Hayao Miyazaki visited this charming town!
That's right! The bakery where Kiki worked in Studio Ghibli's classic animation Kiki's Delivery Service was inspired by Ross Bakery in this historic colonial town. It's one of the primary reasons so many travelers make a pilgrimage here when exploring Tasmania. Stepping into a real-life animated setting feels magical!
Additionally, Ross is home to Australia's third-oldest bridge, the Ross Bridge. Much like Tasmania's oldest surviving bridge, Richmond Bridge, the Ross Bridge is an iconic architectural gem. Beyond the idyllic landscape that surrounds it, the bridge features 186 meticulously carved stonework sculptures on its arches. The convict stonemason who carved them was even granted a pardon for his masterwork! A legendary backstory, but proof of how remarkably skilled the craftsmanship was!
♁ Location: Stone Bridge, Ross, Tasmania, Australia
♁ Transport: Approx. 1.5 hours drive from Hobart; approx. 1 hour drive from Launceston. (Rental Car Price Comparison | Tasmania Driving Guide)
♁ Official Website: Ross
♁ Nearby Accommodation: Booking | Agoda | Hotels | Expedia (Compare Rates | Where to Stay)
(The town of Ross is compact—you can easily tour it on foot in about 1 to 2 hours. The town visitor center also offers maps and walking brochures.)
(Seeing the latitude marker suddenly reminded me: Tasmania is officially the southernmost place on Earth I have ever traveled to!)
(This is the famous Ross Bridge. Framed by rolling green pastures and distant hills, with arches reflected in the mirror-smooth river, it looks just like an oil painting. Many visitors come here at dusk for sunset—the atmosphere is completely different from the daytime view!)
(Here is Ross Bakery, the legendary inspiration for Kiki's bakery! The resemblance to scenes in the movie is unmistakable, making it a dream pilgrimage for animation lovers. The bakery itself is deeply historic, featuring a traditional Scottish semi-masonry brick oven capable of baking 300 loaves at once. It has operated for over a century and has won Tasmania's top sourdough awards. Even better, it offers charming upstairs accommodations—a multi-faceted landmark you cannot miss in Ross!)
(Strolling through Ross is delightfully laid-back and soothing. Because of the quiet time of day we visited, the village was extraordinarily serene. Every corner felt like a postcard scene—a very special and calming travel experience.)
(Ross also has charming apparel boutiques, wool souvenir shops, a historic post office, and antique stores. Many shop displays exude an antique yet whimsical character—I couldn't resist picking up a few lovely souvenirs!)
(Finally, the main intersection of Ross features four historic stone buildings on each corner, collectively known as "The Four Corners." Each represents a distinct concept: Temptation (the Man O' Ross Hotel), Recreation (the Town Hall), Salvation (the Roman Catholic Church), and Damnation (the old jail, now a private residence). Exploring the four corners adds a quirky, fascinating layer to walking through town—make sure to snap a photo at each!)
That wraps up our day trip through the fiery red stones of the Bay of Fires and the nostalgic charm of Ross, concluding our journey along Tasmania's east coast! Next, we headed towards Tasmania's second-largest city, Launceston, and the western wilderness. For more planning details, check out my comprehensive Tasmania Complete Travel Guide!