As always it’s the hidden details which suprise. Anyone can Google history:
“The first European to sight the area was Captain Tobias Furneaux who, in 1772 when he was captain of the HMS Adventure and whilst accompanying Captain James Cook on his second voyage to the South Seas, was separated from the rest of the fleet and explored much of the eastern coast of Van Diemen’s Land. He sighted and the southern point of Georges Bay, St Helens Point after St Helens on the Isle of Wight, in 1773 and went on to name the Bay of Fires because he saw Aboriginal fires on the shores.”
You need to be outside the Tourist Information reading the plaque on the steam traction engine (made in England, the engine that is) to learn it was used in the local timber mill. To make sleepers for the building of the Siberian Railway. Which (google) is some 12500km away. Antartica is closer (4500km).
We went along to Binalong Bay on the Bay of Fires. Binalong to the Bay as it were. Stunning beach, wonderful white sand setting of the orange lichen decorated granite stones.
The sea birds were having a whale of a time, though we didn’t see any. Whales that is.
Then to start getting out the severe wet weather gear for tomorrow. Very apt as we’re cycling to Swansea.
Travelling reflections 