Bruny Island
Bruny Island (43°25′S 147°05′E / 43.417°S 147.083°E) is an island off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, from which it is separated by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Storm Bay is located to the island's northeast. Both the island and the channel are named after French explorer Bruni d'Entrecasteaux. Its traditional Aboriginal name was Alonnah Lunawanna, which survives as the name of two island settlements.
Geologically, Bruny Island is actually comprised of two islands - North Bruny and South Bruny - that are joined by a long, narrow sandy isthmus. The holiday village of Dennes Point is located in North Bruny, while South Bruny is the site of the towns of Alonnah, Adventure Bay and Lunawanna.
Outside its settlements the island is covered in grazing fields and large tracts of dry eucalyptus forest. Inland forests continue to be logged, but other large sections - mostly along the southeastern coast - are preserved as the South Bruny National Park. While the seaward side of the island features two long beaches - Adventure Bay and Cloudy Bay - it is for the most part extremely rugged, with cliffs of dolerite that tower over 200 metres above sea level, and which are amongst the highest sea cliffs in Australia. Bruny's channel side is far more sheltered and a favourite fishing and recreational boating area for local and interstate visitors.
An all-seasons vehicle ferry, the Mirambeena, runs between Kettering on the mainland and Roberts Point on North Bruny Island, and is unusual for using a Voith-Schneider propulsion system rather than a conventional propeller.
Bruny Island was originally inhabited by the Aborigines until European arrival. Abel Tasman made a landing in the vicinity of Bruny Island in 1642 followed by James Cook who landed at Adventure Bay. The island itself however is named after the French explorer Bruni d'Entrecasteaux who explored the Channel region in 1792. Since then the island has become known as a holiday location with surfing beaches, National Parks and historical sites. In more recent history the Bruny Island was the site of a land transfer by the state Government to local Aboriginal people.
Tourism
There are a range of accommodation and tourism providers on Bruny Island, including camping grounds, caravan parks and the Bruny Island Hotel. Local island resident Robert Pennicott operates Bruny Island Charters which operates adventure cruises from Adventure Bay around the coastline of the South Bruny National Park to the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean. Adventure Bay Eco Village operates wildlife tours daily.
Locations
The main areas of Bruny Island include:
- Alonnah
- Lunawanna
- Adventure Bay
- Barnes Bay
- Cloudy Bay
- Dennes Point
- Fluted Cape
- Simpsons Bay
- South Bruny National Park
- D'Entrecasteaux Channel
References
(In Alphabetical Order)
External links
The following pages (in alphabetical order) contain information on Bruny Island.