Day 38 - Bruny Island by road

The weather looked promising as we started off for Bruny Island about 30km south of Hobart.  We were to take our car across on the ferry, explore the island during the day, stay overnight on the island and then do a boat cruise along the eastern side of the island tomorrow.  We boarded the ferry at Ketteridge.  It was a short voyage to the island, about 15 minutes.

060415 The marina at Ketteridge

060415 Bruny Island from the ferry

Bruny Island comprises what we might call a northern part and a southern part joined by a narrow isthmus.  For ease of understanding we have photos of the map of the island in these two sections.

Northern Section

060415 The northern part of Bruny Island

With great expectation we left the ferry and headed north.  It was not long before we were on gravel roads.  We passed by Simmons and Barnes Bays and Killora before ending up at the island’s northernmost point, Dennes Point.  The road followed along the d’Entrecasteaux Channel on the western side of the island.  The water was calm and quite protected.

060415 Across Simmons Bay to Barnes Bay 

060415 Ketteridge from Bruny Island

060415 Looking across to Margate from Bruny Island

060415 Coastline near Killora

060415 The beach at Dennes Point - note the shacks

060415 Dennes Point

060415 Tasman Peninsula in the distance from Bruny Island

We then turned south and headed past Great Bay before stopping at the “Get Shucked” oyster establishment. The oysters were excellent.

060415 Got our attention 

060415 Every bit as good as they looked

We then crossed over the “Neck” which is a narrow isthmus, which joins the north and south portions of the island.

Southern Section

060415 The southern part of Bruny Island

As we went south the rain started and it got worse as we headed into the Mount Mangana Forest.   Little did we know we would be going up the mountain, into the clouds and more rain.  The road left much to be desired but it was only a forest road and is not maintained by the Kingborough Council.  10kph was a reasonable speed in some instances.  Nonetheless we came down out of the clouds and the rain and headed off down to Cloudy Bay.

 

060415 From the "Neck" on Bruny Island looking south
and we were heading there

060415 Forest road on Mount Mangana

060415 Mount Mangana pot holes and plenty of them
demanding 10km/hr or less

The wind was strong at Cloudy Bay and the waves were messy and dirty from the local brown water.

060415 The eastern side of Cloudy Bay with East Cloudy Head

060415 West Cloudy Head

060415 Waves at Cloudy Bay - pink looking from the colour
of the water near the beach

We had to return north to Lunavanna before turning south again, travelling by Mabel Bay to the pick of today’s sights, Cape Bruny and Lighthouse Beach.

060415 We had been driving up there - Mount Mangana forest
from the road to Cape Bruny

060415 Overlooking Mabel Bay with East Cloudy Head on RHS

060415 Cape Bruny with Lighthouse Beach in the foreground

060415 West Cloudy Head from the lighthouse

060415 The Cape Bruny Lighthouse

060415 West Cloudy Head from the lighthouse

060415 Cape Bruny Lighthouse built in 1838

060415 Lighthouse Beach from the lighthouse

060415 Court Island off Cape Bruny.  It is separated from
Bruny Island but may not look like it

060415 Cape Bruny

We called into Jetty Beach on the way back to our overnight stay in Alonnah.

 

060415 Jetty Beach

We were given an upgrade for our night’s accommodation.  We are in a new, two bedroom unit, with all the trimmings and we are dining at the pub tonight. Oysters?

Tomorrow comes the boat cruise and we have fingers crossed for good weather.