| Bruny Island is located off the south-east coast | | | | From Bruny Island you can join an eco-cruise and |
| of Tasmania, Australia's beautiful island state. | | | | view dolorite cliffs for which the region is |
| Bruny is over 100 kilometres in length, yet has a | | | | renowned. We were told that these dolorite |
| population of just over 600 people. | | | | wonders are rare. Tasmania is one of the few |
| I spent a most memorable day there recently. | | | | places they can be found, others being South |
| Here are just 10 of the many reasons why I | | | | America and South Africa. |
| think it is such a special place: | | | | Eco-cruise |
| You can only get there by vehicular ferry | | | | The eco-cruise lasts two hours and brings you up |
| From Kettering (on the Tasmanian mainland), you | | | | close to many astonishing sights. For example: |
| get there via a 15 minute ride aboard the | | | | - natural sea caves and rock archways |
| "Mirambeena", a vehicular ferry. I was pleasantly | | | | - Breathing Rock, a blowhole |
| surprised that this was the only way for the | | | | - Totem Pole, one of the many astounding rock |
| general public to get there. How wonderful that | | | | formations |
| even up to now, no one had erected a huge | | | | - Cape Bruny and the lighthouse |
| bridge over a mega-highway! | | | | Walks |
| Delightful lack of over-development | | | | There are many outstanding walks to choose |
| It was terrific to see no tall buildings, tourist | | | | from. On the Fluted Cape walk for example, you |
| resorts, cafe lined streets or the like. While there | | | | will find yourselves walking on some of the very |
| are eateries on the island, they may not be open | | | | same high cliffs you admired from the eco-cruise |
| when you wish. In fact, it's best to have food and | | | | boat. Along the way, there are sign boards with |
| drink with you when travelling to the island. On a | | | | information on the rich local Aboriginal history and |
| Sunday evening, just before catching the 7pm | | | | whaling history. |
| ferry back to the Tasmanian mainland, we tried, | | | | Wildlife viewing |
| unsuccessfully, to find a restaurant serving dinner. | | | | There are plenty of opportunities to see wildlife in |
| In the end we had dinner in Kettering. | | | | their natural environment. At the Neck there is a |
| Inconvenient? Not at all. To me this is more | | | | penguin rookery. Along the beach you will see |
| evidence of the refreshing unspoilt-ness of Bruny | | | | many water birds such as herons and pied oyster |
| Island! | | | | catchers. As you walk around the island, you will |
| Whaling history | | | | come across birds and white wallabies. On the |
| Whaling was a booming industry back in the | | | | eco-cruise you will pass seals, dolphins, even |
| 1820s. On Bruny Island, a total of eight whaling | | | | fish-seeking albatrosses and gannets. I could have |
| stations once produced much of Tasmania's | | | | stayed out there and watched the wildlife for |
| supply of whale oil. | | | | hours. |
| Fortunes were made by men like Thomas Lucas | | | | Food and wine |
| and Thomas Mason. At Adventure Bay, you can | | | | I got the chance to sample the local produce - it |
| still see the ruins of the whaling stations they built | | | | was delicious. At the Berry Farm there are |
| and operated. | | | | yummy berries and berry-themed treats like |
| As the whale population started to dwindle, the | | | | ice-cream, jams and sweets. At Australia's |
| whaling industry collapsed. | | | | southernmost vineyard you can purchase tasty |
| It is estimated that between 1835 and 1839, | | | | wines . You will also find other goodies on the |
| 12,000 right whales were killed in Australian | | | | island, such as cheese, fudge and oysters. And if |
| waters. The southern right whale almost became | | | | you want to be able to say you've been to |
| extinct. The creature is still endangered, but the | | | | Australia's southernmost pub, then don't miss |
| population is slowly recovering. | | | | Hotel Bruny. |
| Aboriginal history | | | | Inspiring Bruny Island people |
| Bruny Island is the birth-place of Truganini, a very | | | | We were told that there are about 60 local |
| special Aborigine. I was moved and inspired by the | | | | community groups actively working toward |
| story of this famous Tasmanian. The Aboriginal | | | | ensuring that their island and their lifestyle are |
| people who lived in this area belonged to the | | | | preserved. For example, locals tried to buy up the |
| "Nuenonne" band. It is estimated that there were | | | | land to keep it safe from potential |
| about 70 people in this band. | | | | over-development. |
| Historical information is available around many | | | | This is yet another reason why Bruny Island is so |
| places of interest on the island, as well as at the | | | | special. I am inspired by and appreciate all the |
| Bligh Museum in Adventure Bay and the History | | | | people who work so hard to protect their island |
| Room in Alonnah. | | | | environment and their unique way of life. |
| Dolorite cliffs | | | | |