Tasmania Holiday – 2019 Day 4
Ian SchulzHobart to Bruny Island and back
Hatching a plan
After waking from what would have to be the best night’s sleep in days, we made our fill from the continental breakfast on offer at our Hobart B&B. It was then time to jump back in the car and onto our next daily adventure. This morning we had decided to head to Kettering to board the Bruny Island ferry.
Bruny Island Ferry
Unfortunately, it seemed we were not the only ones with this brilliant idea, with 70 to 80 other cars before us in the line-up. Luckily there are 2 ferries that run every 30 minutes to and from the island between the hours of 6.30am and 7.15pm. The small ferry which we boarded took 30 cars and the larger takes 65 at a time. It’s a quick 15 minute trip from the mainland to Bruny Island. Don’t despair if caught in a holding pattern you can duck into the Mermaid cafe for an espresso shot to keep you humming.
Bruny Island
Once our feet were again on terra firma we placed our parks pass in clear view and decided to press on to the Bruny Island lighthouse which is a 70-minute drive South of the ferry terminal.
Lighthouse tours are available online and are best booked in advance to save disappointment. The majority of the road was corrugated dirt once past the “Neck” heading south. Passing through the towns of Alonnah & Lunawanna, which was coincidently the original land owners name for the island before being discovered in 1792 by French explorer Bruni D’Entrecastreaux. The island itself is over 50 kilometres long and now has a number of businesses ranging from Cheese, Chocolate, Wine, Beer, Cider and Whiskey plus fresh produce. There is only 1 petrol station on the island, situated in Adventure Bay on the South Island. A word from the wise it’s a good idea to fill up before boarding the ferry. However, if you do need petrol the trip to Adventure Bay was well worth it and has some lovely little hamlets to explore.
Our last and most anticipated stop for the day was at the Neck to take a photo or 2 or 3 of the thin strip of sand that joins the North and South islands together. To get an eagle eye view of this, you must be prepared to climb the 279 steps to reach the highest viewing platform. Great way to work off our lunch, getting in your daily exercise and step count.
The 5 pm ferry proved to be the most popular so another wait was had before boarding at 6.30pm and reaching Kettering at 6.45pm and Hobart at 7.30pm.
Those stairs look brutal though.
That scenery though. It’s now on my must see list. 🙂