Bruny Island, Tasmania - A Relaxing, laid back delight

 I really loved Bruny Island.  Just a short 20 minute by sea from the bottom of Tasmania, it is a small island off the big island. The ferry trip is scenic and pleasant and the moment you arrive on Bruny Island you get those laid back, relaxing island vibes.  It reminded me of arriving on Waiheke Island in Auckland, one of my favourite places in the world.

Our first stop on the island was at Truganini Lookout, named to honour a famous aboriginal woman who was a prominent leader of the Palawa tribe of the island.  There are 297 steps from the road to the lookout so it's not for the faint hearted but well worth the effort if your lungs and heart can take it.  The views are stunning giving a panoramic view of both sides of the narrow neck of land.

There's an awful lot of stairs to the lookout

One of the charming things about islands that is not quite so common on the mainland, and never seen in cities,  is the good old honesty box.  On Bruny we stopped at 3 shabby disused fridges by the side of the road.  Inside them was the most delicious freshly baked bread so, of course, we bought some and shared it around our mini bus as we travelled on. 

Note the coin box for purchases between two of the fridges

Next, to my great delight, we went to the Bruny Island lighthouse.  Frequent readers of this blog will know I have a real love of lighthouses.  It was a long steep climb up  but definitely worth it for the spectacular views in all directions.  The disused keeper's cottage below is now a small museum so I took the time to look at the history of the lighthouse on display there.  I really enjoyed this stop and my wander around the grounds surrounding the cottage.

Below: A view from the lighthouse

After a very tasty and generous seafood chowder for lunch at the Bruny Hotel we visited the tiny Bligh Museum at Adventure Bay. This is a private museum built from 26,000 convict made bricks. Inside is a rare collection of paintings, photos and documents related to the landings of explorers, William Bligh (of Bounty fame), James Cook and Matthew Flinders.  This was a short stop for us so we gave the museum a 'once over lightly'.  I'm sure with time to spare it would be absorbing. The museum is set in a lovely garden, opposite a beautiful beach.  A very pleasant place to stop.

The rest of our afternoon was spent visiting the Bruny Island Cheese company for cheese tastings and wine and at the Get Shucked (bit of Aussie humour there) oyster farm to devour the freshest of fresh oysters. 

Late afternoon we returned to mainland Tasmania by ferry. It's a good sign when you are reluctant to leave a place and I was reluctant to leave Bruny Island. This had been a fantastic day combining so many of the things I enjoy.   It is only 76 kms or 47 miles from Hobart so would make an ideal day trip for visitors to the city, I recommend it.

Anzac Day in Tasmania - Commemorating a special day for both Australia and New Zealand

 Anzac Day is a very important day for Australians and New Zealanders, probably one of the most important days in our calendar.  ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and is a day of remembrance for the soldiers of both countries lost in war. It is a solemn day starting with either dawn or morning ceremonies in most towns of New Zealand and Australia.  It is also a day where citizens of both countries feel united and patriotic, coming together as brothers and sisters to remember those who sacrificed their lives for their homelands. I attend an ANZAC ceremony every year with my family in New Zealand.

Most of our tour group were either New Zealanders or Australians and we were very keen to commemorate Anzac Day somehow, despite being far from home  in a remote part of Australia. We were even discussing ways to hold our own ceremony.  As luck would have it the Hotel Lufra, at Eaglehawk Neck where we were spending the night was hosting an Anzac dawn ceremony the next morning.  Excellent, problem solved.

The flag flying in commemoration ( note: most of the people were behind me)

At 6.30am about 60 people gathered on the hotel lawn, some wearing military medals.  The ceremony was simple and very moving. An ex military man gave a short speech, there was a minute's silence for personal reflection, the Australian flag was raised up the flag pole and the Last Post was played as the dawning sky turned the sea a soft pink.  Then, as is also traditional, everyone proceeded to breakfast and I did spot a few hardy souls enjoying early liquid refreshments while sharing memories of lost relatives and the special camaraderie of their past military sevice.

For me and my fellow New Zealanders this was a very special celebration of Anzac Day. It was such a good feeling to feel so close to, and in tune with, our nearest neighbours in Australia.