Bruny Island, a day in natures wonderland

Bruny Island is described as rich in history, wild nature, spectacular landscapes and delicious produce.

Another clear, fresh winters day greeted us. It was an early start to catch the 9-30 ferry at Kettering, a 45 minute drive from Hobart. A slight mist covered the D’entrecasteaux Channel, the smoke rose lazily from the cottages on the shore. The 20 minute ferry trip for a return ticket only cost $20 for the car and two people, great bargain.

Early morning

 

With only one day to explore the time is limited. Being winter many of the “delicious food” and the scenic boat cruises are closed. So instead we opt for a self conducted drive. Bruny is 2 islands joined by a narrow causeway. Our first stop is to climb the steps to the spectacular view along the causeway.

So many steps but the view is worth it

The causeway

There are very few tourists at this time of the year and we slowly drive around, taking our time with many photo stops. We did find a small café open for a lunch stop and what a find it was. The owner baked his own muffins using organic produce, almond flour and a mix of nuts and chocolate pieces. They were wholesome and filling and a bonus was the other customer. A young Irish man with his Asian partner. He had picked up a guitar laying in the corner and we enjoyed the beautiful laid back, lilting melodies he played as we ate our lunch. A wood stove in the corner warmed the room and when the music stopped we swapped travel stories.

We were like ships passing in the night, I did not get his name, nor did I make a note of the cafe’s name but that encounter will stay in my memory for a long time.

Our Irish musician

We drove along the ocean’s edge, through small villages and up and over a range of hills on a dirt road that wound through a forest reserve. The varied scenery was  beautiful.

This is a photo essay of Bruny Island…

So photogenic

Black swan

Reflections

Family having fun on the beach

Fallen giant

Forest reserve

Colourful lichen covered rocks

Hundreds of sea birds

Dusk

Car ferry coming in to take us back to the mainland

It was only a tantalizing taste of this Island. There is so much more to explore and I hope to return and next time come over here during summer. It maybe swamped by tourists but will also be able to take a boat cruise to see the wild coast line and the wild life that inhabits this area. Stay over night and watch the blue penguins come ashore. Taste the seafood and berries the island is renowned for and go back to that café for another muffin.

We caught the 4-30pm ferry back to the main land and it was dark as we arrived back home and the final memorable sight of the evening was the glorious super moon hanging huge and glowing over our beach, trailing reflections across the water.

Super moon reflections, with the lights of Hobart in the back ground.