Coles Bay 40th Getaway

 

My 40th birthday getaway was spent in Coles Bay with Mick and two of my closest friends. Mick organised a holiday house in Swanwick which overlooked the Moulting Lagoon river mouth flowing into Great Oyster Bay. It was a lovely location to spend quality time with amazing friends, doing what I love, exploring Tasmania. 

We arrived in Coles Bay a bit after lunch on Saturday and drove across to Sleepy Bay. There was a bit of swell rolling into Sleepy Bay but the water looked amazing with its crisp clean water captured against the giant orange and brown rock. 

After checking out the view at Sleepy Bay we headed on a 4WD track to Bluestone Bay for a look and then we travelled to the camp site on top of the hill above the bay. We found a track or two that went to the top of the cliff face to overlook the Tasman Sea.  

We came across some rock climbers harnessed up exploring the cliff face with the aim of abseiling down to the big ten metre ledge below. This area was up on the cliff face relatively high, with the waves crashing loudly on the rocks below. 

We then headed to the lighthouse to take in Thouin Bay and get a glimpse of Wineglass Bay. We passed many lizards lazing in the sun on the rocks along this path. 

We completed our first day with a meal at the local tavern and then playing board games at our holiday house with a few drinks, lots of laughter and great company. 

Sunday morning we woke up to beautiful weather. After breakfast we headed out for a drive to Friendly Beaches. This is a place that is normally packed to the brim with campers over Summer, but it was slightly quieter this time of year. We watched the waves crashing up against the rocks and then walked the beach on the northern side of the campsite, while Mick threw a lure into the water. It was a great beach to walk on because the white crisp sand was nice and firm. The colours of the white sand against the turquoise blue water were captivating. Such a good place to soothe the soul. 

After our 5kms walk up and down the pristine beach we headed back for some lunch and a drink. We then went back to Sleepy Bay so that Mick could go for a quick spearfish to spear some bait for fishing. While Mick was exploring below the surface, Leah and I went and explored above the surface at Sleepy Bay, 1km away. The rock features are amazing here with massive hollowed out rocks. 

Mick shot some bait and so we headed back to Swanwick to fish the river mouth. We did do a quick detour past the ice creamery and enjoyed an ice cream while we watched people struggle to get their boats up onto their trailers at the boat ramp. 

When we got back we headed straight out fishing. We threw a couple of lines in and within ten minutes Leah had caught the fattest Bream you have ever seen. She was pretty pumped about that. In between snags on the rocks we managed to pull in another two little Cocky Salmon which we threw back. Mick scaled the fish and we headed back to cook it up and have with our Mexican steak and salad. 

We relaxed and finished the day watching the sunset over the bay.

I have so much gratitude for the amazing people I have in my life. I am so lucky to have Mick to share these experiences with and it was lovely having both Corina and Leah celebrating my 40th milestone. Bring on the next 40 years exploring this beautiful state island I get to call home.