Bay of Fires 'Inala Birding' Walk
Available by request for private groups | Price from $3,095
Over four days with Inala's local Tasmanian birding and fieldcraft guides, discover new birds, and increase your knowledge of birding and photography in the wild.
Join an Inala Nature guide and a small group, led by our naturalist guides, and traverse this wonderfully remote landscape. The Bay of Fires offers an awe-inspiring escape, teeming with birds and unique flora and fauna. Walk the soft sandy beaches, explore secluded coves, and enjoy the uncomplicated luxury of our accommodation at the Forester Beach Camp and award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge. If you are looking for a little more indulgence, why not have a signature treatment at our exclusive spa or enjoy the outdoor bathing pavilion.
The Bay of Fires Signature Walk is a breathtaking four-day walk along the pristine east coast of Tasmania, featuring accommodation at our award-winning Bay of Fires Lodge.
For all enquiries and bookings please contact Tasmanian Walking Company on (03) 6392 2211 or email bookings@taswalkingco.com.au
Image credit: Cindy Marple - Australasian Gannet
Introducing Inala
For over 27 years, Inala Nature Tours, a family-owned and operated company, has been designing and leading birding and wildlife tours across Australia; from their 1,500-acre private reserve at ‘Inala’ on Bruny Island, Tasmania, to the lush rainforests of Queensland, the rugged landscapes of the Kimberley and beyond.
Their tours are designed and led by Dr Tonia Cochran and her expert team. Among them exists a diversity of talents, from qualified scientists to travel experts. They are united by their passion for wild Australia.
- The Inala conservation reserve is 1,500 acres. They have all 12 endemic bird species living at Inala amongst the rich and diverse conservation habitats.
- The Inala reserve contains bird hides and viewing platforms. It is a reserve for birders run by birders.
- You can plan to extend your stay in Tasmania after this walk (or return at a future date) by staying in the cottage accommodation within the Inala private reserve. (Exclusive 10% discount for Tasmanian Walking Company guests for bookings of two nights or more).
Bay of Fires 'Inala Birding' Walk (4-days)
If squeaky white-sand beaches and wild coastline appeal to you, the Bay of Fires is a spectacular reason to lace up. We begin at Boulder Point in Mt William National Park where we journey four hours to semi-permanent tents in the dunes. At our Forester Beach Camp there is no roughing it, take an ocean dip and return for pinots poured and your meal underway. Day two is all about secluded coves, hearing tales of early inhabitants and making our way to the Bay of Fires Lodge. This is home for the next two nights - where foot spas and library time come standard and signature experiences in the outdoor bath tempt.
Day three is a special walk to the rarely visited northern side of Policeman's Point, traditionally an outstanding point for bird viewing. We take it easy on the final day, serving up a brekkie out on deck followed by a one-hour walk to our forest lunch location. It’s then onward to Red Feather Inn to celebrate our shared four days.
Testimonials
The bird watching was amazing. Our expert guide Ramit from Inala was exceptional at pointing out several different birds at a time, telling us what they were up to, differentiating their calls. As well as having extensive knowledge, with lots of information he was always very cheerful and modest, too. - Guest. 12/11/2022
All the staff we dealt with were superb. They worked extremely hard to make our trip safe and enjoyable. 10/10. - Susan R. 1/11/2022
Highlights? Ramit's (ornithologist) expertise, knowledge, patience, generosity and kindness. Really excellent, considerate, friendly but professional guides. Your guides really put in 110%. - David B. 19/10
Bird Gallery Photo credits:
Strong-billed Honeyeater - Alan Fletcher, Beautiful Firetail - Bob Lewis, New Holland Honeyeater - Brent Thompson, Eastern Spinebill - Chris Tzaros, Yellow Wattlebird - Chris Tzaros, Grey Fantail - Cindy Marple, Green Rosella - Dan Brown
Hooded Plover - Dennis Braddy, Yellow-throated Honeyeater - Dennis Braddy, Pied Oystercatcher - Ken & Mary Campbell, Superb Fairy-wren - Alfred Schulte
Birding Gear list
Please note, the gear below must be carried by the walker in addition to the gear on our Signature Walk Gear List.
Camera and/or binoculars, extra charged batteries and memory cards - we have very limited capacity to charge batteries at our solar-powered lodge, lens cleaner and cloth, notebook and pen, field guide (optional), monopod (optional).
Day 1: Launceston to Mt William National Park
Approximately four hours walking
It’s time to get your walking boots sandy. Our beach stroll this morning begins at Boulder Point in Mt William National Park. In clear conditions, the Bass Strait islands of Flinders and Cape Barren are visible to the north.
We’ll nestle into a protected beach along the coastline for lunch, enjoying the company of native birds, rare shells and marine artefacts. From day one your guides will begin unravelling the Bay of Fires tales; its early inhabitants, visiting explorers and how it came to bear its fiery name.
After about four hours walking, we’ll arrive at the Forester Beach Camp, tucked away in secluded dunes. These semi-permanent tents are our home for the night. While your guides prepare delicious Tasmanian fare, you can develop your craft with our Inala expert or relax on the deck with a local wine, take a dip or explore the dune swale location.
Day 2: Exploring the Bay of Fires Coastline
Approximately seven hours walking
Following a relaxed breakfast at the camp we walk south, absorbing the coastline’s bold colours and solitude. Along the ridgelines of sand dunes, views extend across heathlands and out to the ocean. We’ll visit marsupial lawns, often encountering quiet native animals and the tracks they leave at nightfall.
Our lunch spot today is a beach sheltered behind the dunes near Eddystone Point Lighthouse. We’ll have time to explore the lighthouse and its long-standing story before we trek far-stretching beaches that lead to the celebrated Bay of Fires Lodge.
Come evening, venture into the library, cast a line off the beach or have your hosts deliver a cold drop while you dip toes into a foot spa on the back deck. Dinner is a Tasmanian long-table affair, featuring produce from the island matched with fine local beer and wine.
Day 3: Bay of Fires Lodge to Policeman's Point
Approximately six hours walking and birding
Today is a mix of time spent enjoying the lodge and fieldcraft sessions with our Inala expert.
Rise early to the native birds accompanying the dawn and enjoy a hot-cooked breakfast and freshly-brewed coffee. If it's a sunny morning, breakfast on the deck can reward you with whale spotting and dolphins surfing the waves.
Our plan today is to leave the lodge after breakfast and walk some of the local trails and onto the Bay of Fires Beach. Your Inala guide will take people birding along the beach, down to the sand spit opposite Policemans Point just south of the lodge. Bird records for the area and the sand spit usually show a good variety of resting sea birds and shorebirds.
The return walk up the beach and back to the lodge takes guests through heathland, where we can find bush birds later in the day as they become more active.
Day 4: Return to Launceston rejuvenated
Approximately one hour walking and birding
Following a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, and after we pack up, there’s time for a morning swim, a final spa treatment, and birding and photography close to the lodge before we depart.
On our final day, we venture through eucalypt forests and coastal heathland. We’ll enjoy a forest lunch to the sound of native birds, including the endemic green rosella.
Upon our return to Red Feather Inn, there will be time to raise a glass to the four wonderful days spent together.
The Bay of Fires Lodge
Set on a hilltop, 40 metres above the pounding of the sea and surrounded by National Park, the Bay of Fires Lodge is the only building on 20km of outstanding coastal wilderness.
Enjoying views up and down the pristine white sandy beaches in an area of great significance to the Aboriginal community, a truly ecologically-aware building has been gently let into the landscape. Two long timber and glass pavilions allow maximum connection to the landscape with minimum impact on the environment: all building materials - Tasmanian hardwood and plantation pine - were lifted in by helicopter or hand carried to the site.
The lodge is autonomous in providing and managing its existence. Here you will experience true communion with nature in accommodation that combines simplicity of design with comfort and warmth. In the magnificent living area with its large timber deck and open fire, you'll enjoy delicious meals prepared with the freshest local produce, accompanied by fine Tasmanian wines. Solar power provides the lighting, while hot showers and comfortable hotel beds add a touch of luxury at the end of each day's activities.
All accommodation at the lodge is twin or double share, arranged as two king-singles or one king bed.
There is a small library which is comfortable and cosy looking out over the ocean. This is a great place to sit back and relax or look through our selection of books and magazines.
Itinerary Details
Bay of Fires 'Inala Birding' Walk
Available by request for private tour groups | Price from $3,095 per person
- Each trip requires a minimum of 8 guests (Twin Share). The maximum is 10.
- Minimum numbers must be confirmed 4 months prior to departure.
Bookings
- Phone: (03) 6392 2211.
- Email: bookings@taswalkingco.com.au.
- or complete the below enquiry form.
- TWC Return Walker discounts do apply.
Special Interest Walks - Terms and Conditions
Our standard booking terms and conditions apply to all bookings. In addition:
- Cancellations
- more than 90 days from the scheduled departure date, a fee of $350 per person will be charged with the balance payment refunded;
- within 90 days of departure, no refund is available. Bookings are transferable to another name.
- Minimum numbers are required four months before departure.
- This walk cannot be booked in conjunction with any other offers and discounts.
Inclusions
- Return transfers between Launceston and the walk base.
- 1 night at Forester Beach Camp and 2 nights at Bay of Fires Lodge twin share (Signature Walk).
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages, plus a limited selection of Tasmanian wines.
- National Park pass for the duration of the walk.
- Use of a backpack and Gore-tex jacket for the duration of the walk.
- Two qualified guides for the duration of the walk.
- Special Inala Birding guide.
Enquire
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