St. Helens, Tasmania

 St. Helens is on the North East coast of Tasmania and is also the largest town in this area.  It is another picture perfect town sitting on Georges Bay.  Seafood abounds in this area.  Yesterday we walked around 7km return into the town centre and passed an Oyster Farm selling straight from the door and further down the path Crayfish were also being sold straight from the door.  When we arrived at the caravan park (another winner!) we started talking to a local couple who pointed out a food van just across the bay from us that they assure us sell the best fish and chips!  We are certainly spoilt for choice.

St Helens is, by far and away, the friendliest town we have visited on our journey.  So many more caravaners (many Queenslanders) are here and we have to once again get used to having caravans all around us at the NRMA caravan park.  

Today we drove around 15km to the north to visit "The Gardens" at the Bay of Fires.  The Bay of Fires gets its name from the rocks that are covered in an orange/red lichen and they are everywhere.  But to my mind, what is even more spectacular, is the kilometres up kilometres of pristine beaches.  The sand is the whitest sand I have ever seen and is the perfect backdrop for the crystal clear turquoise blue ocean.  The day is windy with intermittent rain but I can picture these beaches being well loved by the locals on a hot summers day.

After we had a good look around The Gardens we hopped back in the car and drove to Binalong Bay.  This is another idyllic seaside village that is just 8km from St. Helens - almost a suburb!  It really is a lovely area and we notice many million dollar homes perched high on the hill overlooking Binalong Bay.  There, is a pretty cool lookout here that would have amazing views back to The Gardens on a clear day, but unfortunately today the rain was blocking the view.

Before we headed home we dropped in to a nearby orchard that advertised Cherries and Peaches!  I have been waiting for this moment.  The cherries were not cheap but as they were picked from the trees this very morning I was pleased to pay the extra.  Philip chatted to the young owners, while I made my purchase, about the problems that they incur running a small farm.  The same problems as everywhere across Australia I imagine.  After the orchard we dropped into the farmers market where I picked up some locally grown vegetables - Lettuce, Baby Potatoes, Tomatoes, Pumpkin and Bok Choy.  Lots of vegetable based meals for us this week.....

There is so much we want to see in this area and five days is not going to be nearly long enough.  However, as usual, we will pick out the absolute "must do's" and be satisfied with that.  

Out of interest, we have talked to Queensland couples in the past week, in different areas,  that are here for seven months!  Makes our six weeks seem far too short in comparison.