We pulled into Bicheno, Tasmania, to handle the less-glamorous side of travel—refreshing the toilet and picking up a few bits and pieces at the IGA. To be honest, we weren't overly impressed with the town. It gave off a bit of a vibe that it only survives on tourist dollars, and we felt like the locals and the shire couldn't care less whether we were there or not. It reminded us quite a bit of Dunsborough back home; that same feeling that you're just a walking wallet.
Thankfully, things looked up once we reached Coles Bay. After getting ourselves sorted at the campsite, we took a short drive down toward the information centre to get our bearings. The moment you arrive, you’re hit by the sight of those incredible peaks lining the bay. They are absolutely massive and look like they’ve been dropped right onto the edge of the water.
We spent a fair bit of time driving around the streets trying to find a simple water tap to fill up our water bladder. It’s funny the things you end up hunting for when you’re on the road! To reward ourselves for the successful water hunt, we decided an ice cream was in order.
We found a lovely spot by the water's edge where the rocks are covered in that bright orange lichen you see all over this part of the coast. Lisa found a perfect perch on the boulders to enjoy her cone while looking out at the Hazards. Steve managed to snap a photo of her looking very content—the grandkids would have been right there with her, probably covered in more ice cream than her, though!
The bay itself is so peaceful. Watching the boats bobbing around on the water really makes you slow down and appreciate where you are. It’s a world away from the busy feel of the morning. We stood on the sand for a while just taking in the view across the water toward the distant hills.
It was a good reminder that even if one town doesn't sit right with you, there's always something beautiful just a few kilometres down the road. We’re looking forward to exploring more of these peaks tomorrow.
