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This was definitely one of our most favoured locations, and we spent a great deal of time exploring this, and the other campgrounds located within the area. Doras Point is the only campground on the Binalong Bay side of the Bay of Fires, though numerous others can be found by turning left, just before the Doras Point turnoff, onto The Gardens Road. More about those others later.
Doras Point is a large campground with many spots suited to all kinds of traveller. Plenty of secluded and well sheltered spot make this location ideal for the tent camper, and other, more open locations cater for those who like motorhomes and such.
Facilities include a water tank (filter and boil the water before using, we used a piece of cloth wrapped tightly around the tap to filter out small mosquito larvae), toilets, and cold showers can also be found here. When I say the showers are cold... believe me, we nicknamed these the torture chamber. Forget the Doras shower and head back into St Helens for a warm shower at the marina.
The grounds and sites are spread along both sides of the road as it winds through the forested area, just off the beach. These are very pretty sites, and it is easy to think you are the only one there if you get the right one due to the seclusion some sites offer. We camped at 3 different sites throughout our journey, returning to this location a couple of times.
Pademelons, other wildlife, and birds are found here in large numbers. You will also discover numerous possums here, so make sure your rubbish is secure before retiring for the night.
The campsites are just off the beaches around the bay and point, though it will only take you a couple of minutes to get down to the water through the numerous paths trekking across the dunes. At the far end of the road you will discover the start of a great walking track around to Humbug Point and then onto Moulting Bay. Allow yourself around 4 hours for the return journey, but the walk is well worth the effort. Mostly flat ground, with a few small rises, winding through some beautiful Aussie bushland, and following the water around the bay. Look out for the many echidnas that will be found along this path.
At the other end of the road, and just before the entrance to the camping grounds is a small day use area. The track from this car park leads to a beuatiful white beach. Across the far end of that beach is the launch point for numerous walks around and across the point. The walks are not very well marked, though you would not be likely to get lost here, and any track you take will reward you with some majestic scenery and wildlife. All of the walks throughout this area are worth spending the time to enjoy.
Within a short stroll you will come across some beautiful beaches, all with sparkling white sands formed through the breakdown of the local granite, with its very high quartz content. In actuality, when you wander the beaches, you are walking on tiny quartz crystals.
It is impossible to mention everything we enjoyed about this location. If you are heading into the area, make this a definite stay.
General info about this location:
- St Helens has a reasonably large shopping centre. Good prices, and great variety.
- Water can be sourced at the park in front of the marina, or at the end of Quail St, just before the bend that changes the road to Binnalong Bay Rd.
- Good takeaway food can be had at either of the two hot food stores on the main st.
- Excellent washing facilities can be found at the laundromat in Quail st, where they will even wash and dry your clothes for you and only charge the same rate as it would cost if you did it yourself. Great service from the people who run this laundry/cafe.
- Camping supplies and gear can be found at good prices at the sports store in Quail St, next to the RSL
- Warm showers are enjoyed in the facilities at the marina in St Helens.
Our First Site at Doras Point
Location map
Map supplied by Tasmap, for more mapping information
please see www.tasmap.tas.gov.au
