TASMANIA - BRUNY ISLAND - 19 to 23 MARCH 2022

 

19 MARCH

BRUNY ISLAND

We left Dover and stopped at Huonville for groceries, alcohol and petrol on our way to Bruny Island. The drive was through small farming areas of mainly apples.

The ferry was great. Pull up at the entrance drive through, paid and boarded the ferry straight away. The gates of the ferry closed and off we motored. The views were great and before long we were disembarking at Bruny Island.

We decided to drive to CLOUDY BAY in the south of the island to check the surf. A very good decision. I had a short hike and paddled out to a good left/right wave with four other guys, who lived in the area. A fun surf! I lasted just over an hour … not too surf fit! Felt good having had about a dozen good waves.

We drove to our camp at Adventure Bay and settled in to our latest site.

20 MARCH

BRUNY ISLAND

After breakfast, we headed back to Cloudy Bay. The surf was smaller and the sets more infrequent. There were more surfers out being Sunday. Still, heaps of good waves, especially, the rights.

A light snack and then we drove to Café du Brazil for coffee and cake.

We decided that we would go to THE NECK and LOOKOUT. A steep climb up the steps to the lookout. Along the way, there were heaps of penguin nests. A great view of the isthmus in either direction.

Next stop, GET SHUCKED for oysters, beer, champagne and a heated baguette.  It was all very yummy.

Back to camp for a restful afternoon.

21 MARCH

BRUNY ISLAND

A cruise along the coast today.

The boat is open with a roof. It was a little cold and on the return journey the seas were rough.

Now for the positives. What a great cruise - dolphins gliding and jumping beside the boat, flocks of shearers soaring over the ocean, brown fur seals basking on the rocks, flocks of terns picking off the baitfish and cormorants sunning themselves on isolated rock outcrops, huge fluted cliffs of dolomite dominating the shoreline, small rocky beaches, a wild swell with waves crashing into crevices and the shoreline, a blowhole, amazing rock formations, a bay of islands, skirting the edge of the southern ocean, huge wave formed caves and the boat zooming through a small opening between the cliffs and a rocky outcrop.  

Back on shore, I was a little disoriented. I get like that on rough boat trips. The cure … we drove to the Bruny Island beer and cheese company for a platter of wine, beer and cheeses. I felt much better after that. Haha!

22 MARCH

BRUNY ISLAND

We drove to Cloudy Bay for another great surf. Mainly rights and heaps of them. Just a few out surfing. The wind changed and it was the end of the session.

The wind and rain increased throughout the day so we mainly took it easy.

23 MARCH

BRUNY ISLAND

After a windy night, we left Bruny Island in light showers, misty mountain peaks and a double rainbow.