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 for 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.