The Bay of Fires Conservation Area comprises a series of magnificent bays that stretch along Tasmania’s north-east coast. Bright orange lichen encrusts the granite boulders becoming more vivid on rainy days like today.

The Tin Dragon celebrates Chinese tin mining in the local district.

A unique steam engine used to mill local timber that was exported for use as sleepers on the Trans-Siberian railway.

A road leads north along the length of Binalong Bay

The Gardens is a small rocky headland and beaches at the end of the road.

The orange lichens cover the granite

Seagulls are hovering over low shrubs

They were eating something in the bushes – I’m not sure if the diet was vegetarian or small insects.

Koala Rock is unquestionably the standout feature here.

A common plant in the coastal heath

Female White-fronted chat

Looking for a morsel in the showers on the lichen encrusted granite.

I hadn’t binalong this way before.

Looking south from The Gardens

The Turbo chooks were very common along the roadside.

Some were a bit ruffled in the wind.

Near the boat ramp was a large tern colony.

The punks kept to themselves…..

…but there was a low tern-out for the acapella audition.

Closer inspection of the rocks and their was life everywhere.

Waratah anemones look like red jelly blobs when not covered with water.

Barnacles

Molluscs

I had the feeling we were being watched…..

Oh, and there was more orange lichen.

A Pelican soared past.

Purple-red jellyfish

Male White-fronted chat

Brackish lakes were prominent behind the dunes

Melaleuca squarrosa was a dominant species here.

Angus laying low in the showery, windy weather.

They’re not the only mammal in these parts.

Sloop Point

A rocky reef off Sloop Point

The local Sloop Point greeting

More orange rocks at……Orange Rock.

The beach north of Sloop Point – relatively quiet now but crowded over Summer.

Welcome to Binalong Bay village – where Barbie became a bronzed Aussie.

Someone was dejected after coming second-placed in the local spelling bee.

Casuarina seed pods

Binalong Bay Lookout

Pacific gull playing King of the Castle

The track to Skeleton Bay Reserve. A skeleton once walked into a bar and ordered a beer…and a mop.

Skeleton Bay

Great Cormorant out fishing

Skeleton Bay Point – did I tell you there were orange rocks here?

A shy Forester kangaroo disappearing ino the bush. They only occur in the north-east of the state.