The A3 road we have been following for 220km from Orford to St Helens is called the Great Eastern Drive and is vigorously promoted as one of Australia’s greatest road trips. A sort of Tassie cousin of big sister Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.
“….you embark on an experience that includes stunning coastline, incredible national parks, world-famous beaches and outdoor adventures most people only dream about. Added to this our vibrant towns, lush vineyards, fantastic east coast food and fresh produce, and you have all the ingredients for the perfect Tasmanian Holiday….”
Allowing for the rain, floods and flies it really is a marvellous area to travel in. Even the areas have cool names. The district around St Helens is called Break o’Day Council. So much more interesting than Wellington City Council or Kapiti District Council. Being on the East coast they get a sunrise over the ocean every day.
This morning we said goodbye to Brian who caught the bus to Launceston. Barb and I have a day here in St Helens and we decided to visit Binalong Bay and go for a swim at Cosy Corner Beach, both in the Bay of Fires. We bought some lunch at the local bakery and cycled the 10km to Binalong Bay, mostly flat around the edge of Georges Bay, but one stiff climb just before the bay. Binalong claims to have the whitest beach sand in the world and they could be right as you experience the glare as you walk on the beach.
We found some coffee and chocolate cake at a little shack in Binalong and the very friendly lady recommended we go to Cosy Corner for our swim. Her husband said once we had climbed back up the stiff hill it was pretty much flat all the way. Maybe in his dreams! It was up down, up down, steep short hills all the way for about 8kms. But it was worth it. A magic little beach but unlike Bicheno we had to share it with other people as there was a motor camp nearby.
Warm crystal clear water, white sand, blue sky. Just perfect.
Ate our lunch under some trees and then headed back. Up down, up down. From feeling cool and refreshed after the swim in no time we were all hot and sweaty again.
St Helens is the largest town on the East coast and is the big game fishing capital of Tasmania. Also big in tin mining in the past and now, tourism, forestry and oyster farming. Population of 3500 and about as many shops as say Levin.
We will miss Brian on the rest of the cycling, he is great company and always comes up with something humorous to say.