We headed just a few kilometres north of our base to an area known as The Gardens, and honestly, the name doesn't even do it justice. We found ourselves standing on massive, ancient boulders that are covered in a brilliant orange lichen. It is as if nature decided to give the entire coastline a fresh coat of bright paint. Lisa spent ages peering into the little rock pools that have formed in the dips of the granite, where the water is so still and clear it creates a perfect mirror for the sky.
The contrast between those fiery orange rocks and the deep blue of the ocean is something we won't soon forget. We were struck by how pristine everything is here; the water is completely transparent, allowing us to see every single submerged rock and pebble on the sandy bottom as if there wasn't any water there at all. Steve reckoned the grandkids would have spent hours in these shallows, probably trying to hunt for crabs or the "best" sea glass while we sat on the shore.
After we had our fill of the salt air at The Gardens, we made our way south, passing through Scamander. It is a lovely stretch of coast, but we were really aiming for a sleepy little hollow called Falmouth. It is the kind of place where the pace of life feels like it has slowed to a crawl. We wandered over to see the blowhole, which is a real treat to watch when the swell is just right.
On our way back towards camp, we couldn't resist taking a short detour into Binalong Bay. Just when we thought we had seen the best of the Tasmanian coast for one day, we were surprised yet again. Each little spot we visit has something unique that makes us stop in our tracks. The view of the coastline here is spectacular, with the green and yellow grass of the hills rolling right down to meet the turquoise water. It is a rugged, beautiful part of the world, and we feel very lucky to be seeing it like this.
