Barnes Bay

A range of sea birds can be seen in the area including cormorants, white bellied sea eagles, gulls and oystercatchers. The surrounding coastlines are populated by dry eucalyptus woodlands.

Barnes Bay is a favourite spot for Yachties and boaters and hosts the popular Annual Barnes Bay Regatta. From the Barnes Bay pontoon in Simmonds Bay, put in your Kayak, where you can head south to explore the coves and bays of Barnes Bay.

Paddle south until you reach the exit from Simmonds Bay, and begin paddling west. Make your way along the coastline until you begin curving around Marks Point into Quarantine Bay. Towards the back of the bay there are a number of beaches including Delaney’s Beach and Davis Beach. Either of these are good options for a leg stretch and a snack break, before continuing your way south-west along the coast toward Quarantine Point.

From here, you have the option of paddling south-east into Lodge Bay, where there is a long beach at the southern end of the bay, or beginning to make your way back the way you came towards Simmonds Bay. If you choose to paddle to Lodge Bay, it is around a 900-metre crossing to the closest southern shore. Once you have explored Lodge Bay, begin making your way back north-east along the coastline towards Simmonds Bay.

Once you have rounded Big Bills Point at the southern side of the entry into Simmonds Bay, you can make your way south along the coastline until you reach a sand bank that sticks out from the coast. Around the corner of this sandbank is a small beach called Peigi Hazel Beach. The waters close to the coastline in this section of the paddle are especially shallow, and large oysters can be seen through the clear water. Ensure you are not paddling too close to the coastline, or you may run aground or scrape your boat on an oyster.

Once you have explored this southern section of the bay, begin making your way back northwards towards the pontoon where you began your journey.

Quarantine Bay and Quarantine Point are named after the Quarantine Station that is located here. It was established in 1884 to house passengers off ships arriving from overseas as a defence against infectious diseases. It also played an important role in quarantining during the global Influenza Pandemic of 1919.

Barnes Bay was home to the original vehicle ferry terminal. The first ferry to operate from this point was the SS Melba, that ran between Kettering and Barnes Bay starting in 1954. In 1983, the Bruny Island Ferry terminal was relocated to Roberts Point, where it operates today.

Barnes Bay is a protected inlet favoured by Yachties for its sheltered anchorages. It is generally well protected from the wind; however, the central channel of Barnes Bay is somewhat exposed to westerly winds.

Potential hazards to be aware of when kayaking include unpredictable wind strengths and directions, capsizing, hypothermia, sunstroke, and drowning. To best prevent these incidents from occurring it is crucial that appropriate safety equipment is used and the kayaker should have a sound understanding of the effects of wind, currents and water temperature in the local area. Prior to undertaking this trip, kayakers should review the local safety equipment requirements and other safety information as outlined by MAST, which can be found here: https://mast.tas.gov.au/safe-b...

Children should be accompanied by an adult on this paddle.