Bicheno located on the east coast of Tasmania is where we chose to have our Binalong Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade Christmas Dinner. Why you may ask, given that the area we reside is as good or even more scenic. We chose Bicheno due to the laid back life style, host of outdoor activities and its white sandy beaches. Bicheno is also renowned for its fresh seafoods available at the many restaurants.
Bicheno also hosts a fishing port where the small fleet of boats puts to sea each morning to harvest the wonderful tasty crayfish and scale fish for local restaurants and overseas markets.
We set out from Binalong Bay on the Saturday morning following the coast in overcast conditions to our destination, there was a brisk north easterly wind blowing which sent waves crashing onto the shore. An hour or so later we arrived at our accommodation at the Silver Sands Motel and settled in after purchasing lovely pastries and cakes from the local bakery for a late lunch.
Fishing fleet anchored Waubs Bay
A few on the patio enjoying the views and refreshments
Lichen covered rocks near the boat ramp
Later in the afternoon we relaxed and enjoyed the scenery and boats bobbing in the swell of Waubs Bay along with a little refreshment of course.
Then into our finery for we had elected to dine at the Sealife Centre Restaurant. When we arrived the restaurant was a buzz with laughter and people just enjoying themselves plus the splendid views of Waubs Bay over to our Motel accommodation.
Sealife Centre Restaurant
Views along the coast from blow hole

We opted to forego the usual Christmas fair and went with the sea food menu and boy it was great with everyone enjoying the local oysters in various forms and then our main dishes all were seafood to numerous to mention and what a large serve so much so that only one of our group opted for dessert. Of course all washed down with liberal doses of beer, cider and wine. There were many people from many different countries dining and they were excellent to talk to as to their travels and whilst we dined we were entertained by a guitarist with lovely background music.
Famous blow hole at Bicheno
It was late in the evening when we opted to leave and walk back to our accommodation, we needed to walk off the amount of food and drink we had partaken in. Of course we stopped at a hotel on the way and enjoyed a little more refreshment before finally arriving back. We went out onto the patio enjoying the night sounds of the fairy penguins returning from their foraging at sea. We elected to leave them in peace to go about their business though there were plenty of torches on the foreshore watching them come ashore.
After a good nights sleep we gathered in the motel restaurant for breakfast and then packed our gear going around then to the famous Bicheno blow hole which was performing well
Checked out the market stalls bought fresh bread from the Bakery and then drove along the coast and home after an excellent night with wonderful company. No doubt we will do it again in 2012. Now we wait to see what the summer fire season brings. There is no doubt we are prepared to handle most of which is thrown at us being trained as we are.

Return to Index