Fisherman on the wharf at Bruny Island

Bruny Island (including Adventure Bay)
Historically significant and interesting island south of Hobart
Bruny Island's history is, in many ways, the history of Tasmania. It was inhabited for thousands of years by Aborigines before Abel Tasman, the first European in the region, sailed along its shore.

Today Bruny Island has become a popular day trip from Hobart. It is only 37 km via the A6 to Kettering where the vehicular ferry to Roberts Point on North Bruny departs ten times a day, eleven on Friday and eight times on Sundays. With a range of activities for visitors and a number of unpretentious accommodation destinations the island seems far removed from any kind of overt commercialisation.

Bruny Island is about 50 km long. It is really two islands linked by a narrow isthmus of sand dunes called 'The Neck'. The first European to visit the island was Abel Tasman who sailed his ships, the Zeehaen and Heenskerck, along the coast in November 1642 and briefly entered Adventure Bay. He attempted to land but was prevented by inclement weather.

In 1773 Tobias Furneaux, who was exploring the coastline with Captain James Cook, anchored his vessel, the Adventure (after whom the island's main bay has been named), off the island's coast. Four years later on 26 January 1777 Cook sailed the Resolution and Discovery into Adventure Bay and stayed for two days. His contact with the Aborigines who lived on the island was amicable.

Adventure Bay where Captain Cook landed

In 1788 Captain Bligh anchored the Bounty in Adventure Bay and planted some seeds. It is claimed that Bligh was responsible for the first apple tree on the 'Apple Isle'. He returned in 1792. In spite of all these visits it was the French explorer, Bruni D'Entrecasteaux, who gave his name to both the island and the channel which separates Bruny Island from the mainland. The spelling of the island from Bruni to Bruny was changed in 1918.

Apart from Adventure Bay, the island's other tiny settlements are Lunawanna and Alonnah which are names probably derived from the Aboriginal name for the island - Lunawanna-alonna.

In the early part of the nineteenth century Bruny Island was subject to the peculiar pressures which eventually resulted in the near genocide of the local Aborigines. By 1804 whalers and sealers were in the area. It was commonplace for them to take Aboriginal women hostage and use them both as labourers and sexual companions.

The story of Truganini's early life (she was a native of Bruny Island and her father had been an important elder) and her treatment at the hands of the Europeans is emblematic of the treatment of Tasmanian Aborigines. By the time she was seventeen she'd been raped (and probably contracted syphilis), her mother had been stabbed to death, her uncle had been shot, her stepmother had been kidnapped by mutinous convicts who took her to China, her sisters had been enslaved by sealers, and her betrothed had been murdered.

It is the story of the death of the man she was betrothed to which gives an insight into the brutality of this early period of Bruny Island's history. In my book Blood on the Wattle: the Massacre and Maltreatment of Aborigines since 1788, the story is recounted: 'Perhaps the most devastating event in Truganini's life occurred shortly after she agreed to marry a man called Paraweena. At the time Truganini was wont to visit the convict camps around Bruny Island. Paraweena, accompanied by a friend, came to call her back from the camp. The convicts protested: they wanted Truganini to stay. Eventually two convicts, Paddy Newell and Watkin Lowe, both of whom had reputations for viciousness, agreed that Truganini could leave. They even offered to row the three Aborigines across the narrow stretch of water to North Bruny Island. Halfway across the channel Newell and Lowe overpowered Paraweena and his friend and threw them overboard. As the two men attempted to clamber back into the boat one of the white men grabbed a hatchet which had been lying in the bottom of the boat and lashed out at Paraweena. He cut his hand off at the wrist. Then he turned and did the same to Paraweena's friend. Newell and Lowe rowed away, leaving the two injured men to drown.'

In 1829 the so-called Protector of Aborigines, George Augustus Robinson, set up an Aboriginal settlement near Great Bay on Bruny Island. It was here that Truganini first met Robinson. She was to accompany him until his death. It was fitting that in 1975 the ashes of Truganini were finally scattered in D'Entrecasteaux Channel.

Bruny Island from Mt Wellington

From the 1830s until recent times the island was used variously for timber, apple orchards, and sheep and cattle grazing.

Today Bruny is a quiet island with a population of about 600 people who, if not connected with tourism, are farmers. The island, which has an area of 36 210 ha, varies considerably with the northern section being flat grazing land and the southern section being rather hilly and heavily timbered.

The car ferry from the mainland arrives at Roberts Point (named after a man who operated a soap and salt factory on the island in 1825) and from there it is possible to travel around the island's 225 km of road.

The Bruny Island Surf Classic is held each year in February.

Things to see:  

Cape Bruny Lighthouse
The most important historic attraction on the island is the Cape Bruny lighthouse (at the south of the island) which dates from 1836. It is the third-oldest Commonwealth lighthouse in Australia. Still operating today (albeit with a tungsten halogen lamp), it is 19 metres high with an elevation of 105 metres and a range of 26 nautical miles.

Adventure Bay - Walks
Adventure Bay Road runs off the Main Road, following the coast past Adventure Bay to East Cove, at the north-eastern end of the South Island. This area was used by whalers from at least the late 1820s until the early 1840s. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a well-constructed stone rubble whaling quarters and other structures.

Coolangatta Road runs west off Adventure Bay Road past the start of a 90-minute return trek to the panoramic views associated with Mt Mangana.

Further along Adventure Bay Road there is another turnoff into Lockleys Rd. Follow the latter then turn into Resolution Road past the signposted start of The Mavista Nature Walk. This easy 30-minute amble passes through rainforest and fern glade adjacent Water Fall Creek. Information boards contain details of the island's forest history and plants are identified by markers.

Adventure Bay Road ends at a carpark at East Cove where there is an information board. Just along the beach is the start of the coastal track to Grassy Point (90 minutes return). Mostly covering flat terrain, this is appropriate for families and traverses dry forest. At the right time of the year, southern right whales can be seen swimming along the coastline.

The steep, challenging and lengthy Fluted Cape walk can be commenced either at the East Cove carpark or at Grassy Point. It offers fine coastal views and exploration of dry forest environs.

Other Walks
At the southern end of the North Island the Cape Queen Elizabeth Walk (3 hours return) heads off the Main Road out to the coast, past Big Lagoon, Little Lagoon, coastal heathland settings and some fine views.

At the south-western end of the South Island, to the north of Cape Bruny, is the Labillardiere Peninsula. Old Jetty Road leads out to the start of the Luggobine Circuit walk (moderate, 90 minutes) and the longer and quite demandingLabillardiere Peninsula Walk (seven hours return), taking in heathlands, beaches, dry forests, Mount Bleak,exposed coastline and fine coastal views of Partridge Island.

Finally, the East Cloudy Head Walk (a demanding 4-hour trek) takes in panoramic views, heathlands and birds.

Memorials on the Island
Around Adventure Bay are a number of memorials including one to the early explorers in the shape of a square rigged ship, a memorial to Captain Furneaux (opposite the caravan park) and a Bicentennial Memorial to Cook which is near the far end of the road around Adventure Bay.

Labillardiere State Reserve
But, for all its history, it is the natural beauty of Bruny Island which is really captivating. The beaches are impossibly white, the waters (on a clear day) are wonderfully blue, and the road winds from one bay to the next.

The Labillardiere State Reserve on South Bruny has been listed by the National Estate. The listing gives an indication of the appeal of the area 'Labillardiere carries a diverse selection of its vegetation, including structures of open forest, eucalypt woodland, open woodland, scrub/heath associations, shrubland, open shrubland, hummock grassland, herbland and closed herbland. Wildflowers grow in great profusion and giant trees thrive in the forests...It provides a representation of southern Tasmanian flora and fauna in a largely pristine condition.'

	Hotels
	Bruny Hotel Bruny Main Rd Alonnah Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1148 Rating: **
	Holiday Homes & Units
	970 Adventure Bay Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1389 Rating: ***
	Lumeah Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1265 Rating: ***
	Adventure Bay Accommodation 1005 Main Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557 Email: info@brunyisland.biz Rating: ***
	Adventure Bay Villas 4 Kellaway Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557
	Alonnah The Don 19 Stewart St Alonnah Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557 Rating: ***
	Apollo Bay Waterfront Retreat 11 Mulchays Rd Apollo Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557
	Barnes Bay Holiday Villa 315 Missionary Rd Barnes Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6260 6287 Rating: ***1/2
	Bruny Island Retreat Sawdust Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 0407 001 262 or 0428 138 262
	Hilltop Retreat Jannali Rd Alonnah Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557 Rating: ***
	Mandala Sheepwash Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 0427 560 790 Rating: ****
	Morrella Island Retreats 46 Adventure Bay Rd Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1131 Facsimile: (03) 6293 1137 Rating: ****
	Ritchie Retreat Rithcie Rd Alonnah Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557 Rating: ***
	Cottages & Cabins
	Adventure Bay Eco Village Cookville Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557 Rating: ***
	Bay Terrace Lunawanna Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557 Rating: ***
	Blackwood Cottage Lorkins Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1015
	Captains Cabin Bligh Point Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557
	Daisy Banks Davis Rd Half Moon Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557
	Explorers' Cottages Lighthouse Rd Luwanna Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1271 Rating: ***
	Inala Country Accommodation Cloudy Bay Lunawanna Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1217 Rating: ***
	Mangana Mountain Cottages Bruny Island Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557
	Mavista Spa Cottages 120 Resolution Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1347 Facsimile: (03) 6293 1347 Rating: ****
	Morella Cottages (The Shed & The Cockpit) 46 Adventure Bay Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1131 Facsimile: (03) 6293 1137 Rating: ****
	St Clairs Luxury Accommodation Just for Two Lunawanna Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 5255 5147 or 0405 192 892 Rating: ***
	The Tree House Bruny Island Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 5255 5147 or (0405) 192 892 Email: thetreehouse@iprimus.com.au Rating: ****
	Lodges & Chalets
	Serena Lodge 35 Serena Rd Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: 1300 889 557 Rating: ***
	Caravan Parks
	Adventure Bay Holiday Village Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1270 Facsimile: (03) 6293 1572 Rating: ***1/2
	Captian James Cook Memorial Caravan Park Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1128 Facsimile: (03) 6293 1128 Rating: ***1/2
	Restaurants
	Bruny Island Hotel Main Rd Alonnah Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1170
	Bruny Island Smoke House Roberts Point Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6260 6344
	Cafés
	Hot House Cafe Simpson Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1131
	Penquin Cafe Adventure Bay Bruny Island TAS 7150 Telephone: (03) 6293 1352