We set off from Kettering with the sun peeking through the clouds, feeling that particular spark of excitement that comes with heading somewhere truly special. Lisa has been talking about visiting Bruny Island for ages, and honestly, seeing her that happy made the whole trip worthwhile before we’d even hit the shore. The ferry crossing was as smooth as silk, and we stayed tucked in our seats, watching the Tasmanian coast retreat as the island drew closer.
Once we rolled off the ferry, our first mission was a bit of a quirky one. We’d heard about the famous roadside sourdough fridges, and sure enough, we found an old cream-coloured fridge sitting right by the road, packed full of fresh loaves in brown paper bags. It’s such a wonderful, trusting way to do business; we just loved the simplicity of it.
As we made our way down towards the lighthouse, we had to pull over near one of the bays. The water was absolutely teeming with hundreds of birds—gulls and terns mostly—all gathered in the shallows. It was a proper spectacle, and we sat there for a good while just watching the flutter of wings against the grey Tasmanian sky.
Our journey took us from the ferry landing all the way through the North Island and deep into South Bruny National Park. The countryside is exactly what you’d hope for on an island: rugged, green, and completely surrounded by water. Every time we rounded a bend, there was a new, stunning bay waiting for us. The views from the higher ground looking back at the coastline were enough to take our breath away.
After exploring near the lighthouse, we decided to try our luck at the Bruny Island Winery. It’s a lovely spot, but their selection leaned very heavily toward dry wines. Lisa, who prefers something a little less "puckery," didn't find anything that tickled her fancy, so we moved on pretty quickly in search of a good feed.
We ended up in Adventure Bay for lunch at a little place called Mary Bruny. Steve went for the crispy skin salmon and salad, while Lisa had a mix of salmon and mussels. It was exactly what we needed. We took a gentle stroll along the beach afterwards to stretch our legs, just enjoying the sound of the waves.
We did try to visit the chocolate company nearby, but the staff didn't seem at all interested in us being there. For the first time since we arrived in Tasmania, we actually walked out of a chocolate shop without buying a single thing! Our grandkids would have been very disappointed with us, but there’s only so much "grumpy service" we’re willing to take.
To make up for it, we headed to The Neck. You can’t come to Bruny without climbing those famous stairs. It’s a narrow strip of land that joins the north and south parts of the island, and the view from the top is spectacular. Steve was puffing a bit by the time we reached the lookout, but looking out over the Tasman Sea made the climb well worth it. It’s also a protected spot for little penguins, and while we didn't stay until dusk to see them come home to their burrows, it was lovely knowing they were tucked away down there.
We couldn't leave without one last treat, so we pulled into the Get Shucked Oyster Bar. It’s a must-do for anyone visiting the island. We sat down to a half-dozen of the freshest oysters you could imagine, paired with a cold glass of Pinot Grigio for Lisa. It was the perfect way to toast to a brilliant day of exploring.
By the time we made our way back to the ferry terminal, we were both pretty tuckered out but very content. Waiting in the line for the boat, we watched the other ferry gliding across the water toward us, reflecting on how lucky we are to be seeing these corners of the world together.
