Bruny's beautiful beaches

January 9th

 

It was a cold old morning, it had rained overnight.  Apparently it had snowed on Mt Wellington overnight... just 5 days after we found it closed due to extreme bushfire danger!!

 

As the weather brightened we set out to explore some of Bruny Island.  It is pretty much 2 islands joined by a narrow 'neck' of dunes, imaginatively called 'The Neck'.  This was our first stop.  This involved a bitterly cold, windy climb to the top of some steps to take in the view.  This is known as the Truganini Memorial - in memory of Tasmania's last remaining full blooded Aboriginal, who died in the mid to late 1800's. 

 

This is also the site of a penguin rookery, with Little penguins nests everywhere.  They all come home at dusk.

 

 

The beach along 'The Neck' looked spectacular, today's wild weather adding to the dramatic effect of the waves...

 

 

On the way back to Adventure  Bay there are a couple of other access points to beaches.  We stopped and took a stroll along Barkers Beach.  This included another wide sandy beach, plus some great rock pools and some colourful sandstone cliffs.  We found a small 'cave' that made great photos...

 

 

 

There were heaps of starfish in the rock pools, most were purple in colour.  This one was bright orange.

 

 

 

Back at the caravan park, which is named after Captain Cook, who landed in Adventure Bay in 1777.  The exact spot is marked by a rather bland brick obelisk. The caravan park sign was much more photogenic!