A day trip on Bruny Island

Rob and I decided to spend a day driving around Bruny Island.  We had heard so much about this island and thus we just couldn't give it a miss. The ferry runs frequently all day and no booking is required, so we just took it easy, having a leisurely breakfast before taking off to Kettering to get the ferry across. The cost is $30 regular and $25 with pensioner concession, and that includes the return ferry trip at any time that suits you until about 7pm at least.

The Ferry that takes you across to Bruny Island

We had a front row view of Bruny Island

We were still working with the MMM Safari team in Rokeby (East Hobart) but being Australia Day we all had the day off. I had half thought that it might be busy with a lot of locals as well as others making full use of the holiday, but it was rather quiet and we were right at the front of the queue. The trip across didn't take long at all and we stayed in the car mainly because of the cool breeze off the waters even though it wasn't raining at that time.

The rather dry countryside as you drive around

We drove slowly along all the roads, soaking in the scenery and the foliage of the area. This small island just off Hobart is almost 2 island with a narrow strip of land to join the north and south parts together. We stopped by Bruny Island Cheese Factory and tasted the samples they had out. They were interesting but not tempting enough for us to buy some, however we did want to come back to see the cheese making demo since they were just cleaning out the cheese-making room when we were there.

Bruny Island Cheeses

From here we went across “the neck” of the island where you can see both sides of the island at the same time. We saw a long staircase going to the top of the sand dune nearby but as it was cool weather and raining we decided to give it a miss and maybe stop on the way back if the weather improved.  Overnight visitors can get a glimpse of the Fairy Penguins as there is a rookery nearby and you get to see the penguins coming in from the sea to feed their young during the season which is generally from December to March.

Cape Bruny Island

We drove the Cape Bruny Lighthouse. As it was still raining, we didn't bother walking right up to the lighthouse itself but we did enjoy visiting the museum that is housed in the lightkeepers' residence there.

The view of House Bay from the lightkeepers' house

There are a few places where one can purchase food including a winery. However as is common for us, we took a picnic lunch and found a secluded place near Adventure Bay, when the rain had stopped for a bit even though it was still quite cool.  Actually the rain had given up though it remained overcast and cool for the rest of the day. On our way back, we decided to skip the chocolate place as we thought we try the Cheese Factory again to see the cheese making demo but sadly they don't have the demonstrations on public holidays. Oh well, we just stopped for a hot coffee and chocolate instead and enjoyed watching other patrons.

Back at the Cheese factory

The island is nice but we didn't find anything really unique about it as the flora and coastline is pretty similar in our eyes to what is around Port Arthur and such. However if you don't have enough time to get around Tasmania, then it is certainly something not to miss

Overlooking Cloudy Bay

Shells and colourful lichen of the area.

So we hopped back on the ferry at 4pm and that was our day trip to Bruny Island done and dusted.

On the way back to the motorhome we stopped by the Shot Tower which was built in 1870 for the production of lead shot for firearms. It is a sandstone chimney type tower. There is a small entry fee to walk inside.