The Bangor Way

The Bangor Way is a 4-night 5-day package offered to small groups seeking a short break from the fast pace of modern life. The Bangor Way is the chance to escape to a private coastal retreat in comfort and style. The camp is at Lagoon Bay, a crescent shaped sandy beach far from the madding crowd… Lagoon Bay was once home to three commercial bay whaling stations established by early European settlers and was part of the original farm that produced food for the Port Arthur penal colony. It is now our remote, unspoilt campsite. From here you can wander along secluded sandy beaches to breathtaking rocky headlands and take a moment to absorb the serenity of the place.

Bangor is steeped in history waiting to be explored.

You will not be the first to appreciate this pristine area. The Pydarreme band of the Oyster Bay Aborigine tribe spent winters collecting abundant seafood from the bays and rocky reefs. In a sheltered cove on the shores of Bangor Abel Tasman made the first landfall on the Australian continent in 1642. Stories of his arrival and first contact with native people are compelling.

Our camp is located on a secluded beach with nobody around to disturb the tranquillity. Whale sightings are common at Bangor along with dolphins, seals and seabirds. Tasmania’s unique wildlife can be observed at close quarters with interpretation from a knowledgeable guide. Beach combing along sheltered bays, sea kayaking beneath spectacular caves and cliffs, mountain biking on well formed dirt roads, snorkelling the kelp forests, boat fishing trips, photography and painting excursions and guided bushwalks to rare temperate rainforest perched on the cliff tops. Bangor has it all.

The Bangor Way package includes airport transfers, two nights accommodation at Potters Croft Lodge and two nights in the lagoon Bay coast camp, all meals, equipment and fully accredited, professional guides. Potters Croft is a private waterfront property , a short walk around our coastline and you may get to know the locals who call these sheltered bays home: Sea eagles, greater white herons, oyster catchers, black swans, pelicans, turns, cormorants and wild ducks.

Our first outing may be to collect seafood for the evening meal. Joe can take you to meet the local fisherman, to hear the stories and inspect the catch. Meals are served on pottery made by Tim, who also designed and built the lodge and the outbuildings using convict bricks and native Tasmanian timbers. After dinner we may take a guided tour of the working pottery. Witness the creative process, from simple lumps of clay hand picked from deposits around the state, to the finished piece complete with salt glaze and ash effects achieved through careful wood firing.

Do you remember the exhilaration of riding a bike as a child? You can relive that feeling if you want, we offer mountain bikes for the ride through the private property of Bangor to the camp. Or, 4wd transport is available if you prefer to save your energy for the camp.

As you cycle along quiet waterfront dirt roads wildlife is present all around. Many different types of birds particularly wildfowl will be observed as the rich habitat constantly changes. A relaxing half day ride and around the next bend is our private coast camp, home for the next few days…

The camp is designed to be energy efficient and environmentally sensitive while blending into the coastal scenery. It caters for up to ten people in comfort and style with showers and amenities to refresh you after the days adventure. The circus-style marquee provides unique living/dining quarters overlooking the beach. Accommodation to suite couples or twin share comprises a spacious canvas tent mounted on a wooden platform with a deck at the front and is nestled privately in the dunes with direct access to the beach. This is true waterfront! Each tent is tall enough to allow standing room inside, even for Joe who stands at 198cms!

You can decide to join a guided day trip walking, bicycle riding, sea kayaking, landscape painting, wildlife photography or just recline on your deck with a good book and a glass of fine Tasmanian wine. In the evening you will enjoy a fresh seafood meal prepared onsite by your hosts. After dinner its time to sit back and enjoy live acoustic music as Vanessa entertains with her own original songs inspired by Tasmania’s environment with influences such as Irish folk artist Sinead O’Connor or Natalie Merchant and The Ten Thousand Maniacs.

A sound nights sleep is assured in linen beds with comfortable mattresses and pillows. It hardly seems like camping until the milky way reminds you of the rush that comes from being out there and sleeping under canvas…There is no better place to marvel at the stars as the ocean provides a romantic and soothing bedtime melody.

As you wake to the lapping of the ocean just meters away and golden sun on lichen-covered cliffs you will appreciate that this place can inspire, soothe and revitalise the soul. After another day of outdoor activities to suit your inclination you will again look forward to a good nights sleep under canvas.

Reluctant to leave?, almost certainly!. You will get a chance to say your goodbye to the resident wombats before returning to Potters Croft Lodge for the last night.