This morning we left the ‘mainland’ of Tasmania bound for a smaller island, Bruny Island. Being mainlanders it feels a little ironic calling Bruny Island a small island off Tasmania. But hey, I am the one writing the blog today.

Due to a partial site clean up the previous night, we were fed, packed and waiting for the ferry by 8.30am. A quick coffee before boarding the ferry and we were ready to explore.

Arriving at Roberts Point we headed north along a windy brown gravel track to Denny’s Point. The northern part of Bruny Island is picturesque – a beautiful integration of trees with the blue-green haze of gum trees meeting the turquoise blue ‘cold’ waters and white sands. Stunning yet isolated – that was about to change with the arrival of the Beattie Clan!

After circumnavigating the northern most part of Bruny Island, we headed to Get Shucked – an oyster establishment with drive thru service! Caroline was salivating, desperate to eat some of the oysters. We watched two staff members shucking oysters, whom claimed to shuck 18 dozen each per hour, before tucking in to our own half dozen topped with a light ‘Asian fusion’ vinaigrette. Caroline always takes pleasure in being the person who converted me to seafood – secretly though, they were pretty fantastic! I left with a ‘Get Shucked’ beer coaster, to add to the ones collected on our travels along with a dozen oysters under my arm – not literally!

From Oysters to The Honey Bee, owned by the same proprietors of The Honey Pot – a shop we visited in the Huon Valley. Despite the girls being familiar with these honeys, they completed a full tasting through the varietals. No glass swirling here, just tasting sticks in the mouth and commentary on each honey. Don’t know where they picked up this skill?

We left The Honey Pot we crossed The Neck, an isthmus of land connecting North and South Bruny Island – to set up camp at Captain Cook Caravan Park, Adventure Bay. We unhitched, sorted out the van and Caroline packed a picnic so we could continue to explore the island. Caroline and I toyed with the idea of going 4WD from east to west coast, however we came to our senses and decided against it. No point getting a flat tyre in the middle of nowhere!

Heading back to the main road we visited a raspberry farm, where we hoped to pick fruit – unfortunately that wasn’t available so we gorged ourselves on raspberries and boysenberries before leaving with a punnet of raspberries. Following the recommendation of Aunty Emma, we sat down for lunch at Two Tree Point, Resolution Creek – a place of historic and cultural significance, known as the “Watering Place” on the charts of Captain Fureneaux (Adventure, 1773), Captain Cook (Resolution, 1777) and Captain GreyBeard (Prado, 2018). Captain GreyBeard being the most renowned of this list of salty sea dogs for his presence in 3monthsinacaravan.com. The picnic table was positioned perfectly so we could look at the turquoise water and the white sand. We tested the water after lunch and the temperature was ‘colder than water from the fridge’ – ‘extremely fresh’ in Ava’s words.

From raspberries and lunch we headed west to Alonnah to visit Australia’s most southern vineyard, Bruny Island Premium Wines. After working through tasting chardonnay to pinot noir, I can confidently say the wines are not to my taste – nothing premium here! We headed to Hotel Bruny for a drink while the girls enjoyed an ice cream before heading on-route to camp, with a slight detour at Bruny Island Chocolate Co.

We had an early family meal this evening. A picnic of sorts with Bruny Island oysters (where Audrey ate one and really enjoyed it), hot smoked Trout with pomegranate and creme fraiche and a selection of cheeses, washed down with Prosecco. The girls enjoying the Whisky cheddar the most! After chopping some wood, I started a fire. Roasted marshmallows were on the menu for dessert.

The girls are now fast asleep at 7.20pm, the fire is burning and we are sitting in our chairs overlooking the Tasman Sea listening to the sounds of the ocean crashing into the shoreline. When it gets dark we may wonder onto the beach and see if we can observe the ‘Extreme Bioluminesence’!