Monday Feb 15, 2010 – Bruny Island Wilderness Coast Tour

After an early morning we left for Hobart downtown to find a parking spot for the day. We had to be at the Information Centre for 7:50am. We tried lost of parking lots. However, they were for permit holders only, or for only up to 3 hours. We had over ½ hour to find a spot. I saw a parking lot but we were by it too fast. We asked a lady if she knew of one. She told us of one on Argyle St. It turned out to not open until 8 am. We did find our way back to the one I saw previously. It was open and had lots of spots available. We got to the meeting spot just in time. We were able to relax after that.

We took a bus from Hobart to the ferry terminal at Kettering. It was nice to get out of the bus even for a short while. The crossing took 15 minutes. Back on the bus we travelled through the north part of the island. It is very dry here. The vegetation is sparse. There is a narrow Isthmus joining the two parts of the island. The South part of the island is totally different. It gets much more rain so that the vegetation is thick and lush. When we arrived at Adventure Bay our bus trip was over.

It was time for our morning tea or coffee and blueberry muffin. The muffin was delicious. After we were done, we walked to the jetty to get on the boats for the next part of our journey. They needed one single person for the first boat. After some consultation, Charles decided to take that seat. They said he could have a bottle of wine for doing this. He was in one of the front seats. We were told that if you had back or hip problems not to sit in the front seats. I was on the second boat at the back.

We were given red hooded ponchos to wear. They kept us dry as well as cut the wind while we were boating. Over the course of the next 3 hours, we saw many fantastic sights. We saw The Monument, Nature's Cathedral - stark 300 m high Jurassic dolerite cliffs Breathing Rock – a spectacle of an explosive blow hole Pristine untouched rainforest and beaches Triassic sandstone cliffs Stunning sea caves and rock formations Friar Rocks – home to 1000+ Australia Fur Seals mostly males Most of which you cannot see from land. We sped from site to site. There was lots of time to take pictures at each area. The time passed very quickly. I could hardly wait to see the pictures that Charles took.

Soon the boat tour was over. We went ashore for a delicious lunch. Starting with pumpkin soup followed by a ham sandwich, salad and a small piece of fudge. Back on the bus for the return trip to Hobart.

The pictures Charles took were good. It was fun to relive the day.