11.15.19 Bay of Fires

Grayline was very gracious to give us a discount to try their Small Group Bay of Fires tour. We joined 8 other travelers and left Launceston around 8:00 am.

Our first stop was Bristowe Lavender Farm.

 

Then we headed to a small town bakery - Cottage Bakery to pick up supplies for lunch. The landscape transitioned from farms to rain forest. We did the Weldborough Pass Rainforest Walk. It was very interesting to see the root systems and how the sassafras trees would attach themselves to the ancient ferns for extra nutrients.

 

 

Then it was time for Bay of Fires. Bay of Fires got its name because it was the location of many aboriginal communities due to the saltwater lagoons that provided fish. These communities kept their fires burning all the time so when explorers sailed in the bay they saw smoke from many fires. The scenery is stunning.

 

We took a walk on powdery white sand on an empty beach.

 

On our way back to Launceston, we stopped at Lease 65 Oyster Farm. We learned how to tell egg producing oysters (diploids) from non-egg producing oysters (triploids). The diploads were creamier. The Triploids were firmer.

 

Back in Launceston, we headed to O'Keefe's for a pub supper.