Bruny Island is a tourism “must do”

A few years ago, I spent three weeks visiting my oldest brother Anthony in Hobart, Tasmania.

One of the trips we did was to Bruny Island at the south-eastern end of the ‘Apple Isle’.

Named after the French Admiral Bruny d’Entrecasteaux, Bruny Island is a spectacular wonderland of scenic beauty, and attracts many foreign and local tourists.

It is about 100 km long and divided into two parts between north and south – connected by a narrow isthmus called the Neck.

Bruny Island is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, and its east coast lies within the Tasman Sea.

We toured the entire island – from the furthest point north at Dennes Point – to the old lighthouse at Cape Bruny in the South.

Some of the views were absolutely awe-inspiring, particularly as you travel down the eastern side towards the southern part of Bruny Island – which takes in Adventure Bay, Barnes Bay and Resolution Bay.

Resolution Bay was where Captain Cook and his men came ashore in 1777 to take on fresh water supplies for their ship while exploring the great Southern Land.

The scenic lookout on the Neck between North and South Bruny provides an amazing opportunity to view a spectacular panorama – and on such a beautiful cloudless and sunny day the views were majestic (see pictures following).

The ferry returned to Kettering on the mainland around 5pm and we were lucky to get on – as the queue extended for at least a kilometre back from the terminal as we boarded.

The 30 km drive from the ferry’s base of Kettering to Hobart was also a scenic treat – taking in the towns of Snug, Margate and Kingston.

This is one island that is well worth the cost of a ferry ride and something all visitors to Tasmania should experience, if they can.

By Mike Peeters