Itinerary Ideas

Island Love Affair

3 Days – Bruny Island, Channel and Huon Valley Highlights

DAY ONE

Depart Hobart at 9am and follow Sandy Bay Road through Hobart's prestige suburbs. The road then becomes the Channel Highway (B68) and soon you will arrive at Taroona's Shot Tower.

Built in 1870 for the production of shot pellets, the 48-metre sandstone tower provides breathtaking views up, down and across the River Derwent. If you're afraid of heights, browse through the museum at the bottom of the tower and relax in the adjoining tea rooms.

Continue down the Channel Highway past Kingston to the Australian Antarctic Headquarters. Equipment and interpretive displays offer a fascinating insight into Australia's involvement in scientific research and Tasmania's contribution to logistics and expeditions to the icy continent.

[ Click on these links for accommodation, attractions, tours and events in the Huon Trail ]

Driving south you can explore the beautiful, sheltered network of bays of Margate, Snug and Kettering. Roaring 40's Ocean Kayaking offer half or full day tours around the D’Entrecasteaux Channel or instead you may prefer to hire a kayak and explore the surrounds at your own leisure for several hours…or days.

Reflect on your water adventure at nearby Peppermint Bay in Woodbridge. Featuring innovatively prepared local produce, a unique sculpture trail and a stunning outlook to Bruny Island, this architectural masterpiece offers a retreat which you can enjoy for hours.

Your accommodation awaits in the Kettering area so you can recharge for an exciting day on Bruny Island.

DAY TWO

Enjoy breakfast or a hot drink at the Mermaid Café while waiting for the Bruny Island ferry. The Café is also the local information centre so wander around and gather any information you may need for the rest of your journey on the Huon Trail.

The three hour, 50 kilometre Bruny Island Cruises eco cruise departs Adventure Bay at 11am all year round, so you will have plenty of time to tour the farmlands of Barnes Bay and Dennes Point in the north and enjoy the panoramic views on The Neck lookout on the way to South Bruny on the B66 and C630. The Neck is also an established penguin rookery. If you are there at dusk a torch and some cellophane (to reduce the torch's brightness) is all you need to enjoy the arrival of the penguins.

Bruny Island Cruises’ specially designed high speed and comfortable craft are capable of navigating the smallest of gaps in rocks enabling you to get close to Tasmania's most spectacular cliff formations such as the 'Breathing Rock' and the towering 'Monument.' As well you’ll see awesome marine wildlife including dolphins, fur seals, whales, mackerel, salmon, penguins, albatross, eagles, gannet, shearwater and petrel.

Following the cruise enjoy the hospitality and views at the licensed Hot House Café in Adventure Bay. Constructed just like a regular hot house but equipped with heaters and other comforts, the café blends well with its surroundings – the vegetable patch at Morella Island Retreats. There are panoramic views of Neck Beach, the Tasman Peninsula and Mt Wellington.

Directly opposite the café is HIBA fudge factory. Taste or buy over fifteen delicious varieties of fudge in the castle-like mansion and take a tour of the eight hectares of landscaped gardens including rose and rhododendron walks and eucalyptus trees.

Re-join the B66 and travel through the Island's western towns of Alonnah and Lunawanna. Connect onto the C629 to take you to Cape Bruny Lighthouse (National Park entry fee applies). Built in 1838, it is the third oldest Commonwealth light station in Australia. There are spectacular views of the vast expanse of the Southern Ocean.

Return to your accommodation for a relaxing evening…and don't forget the penguins.

DAY THREE

After breakfast catch an early ferry at Roberts Point for the journey back to Kettering. Head south stopping at Grandvewe Cheese for a taste of sheep cheese. Wander through the walking tracks and sculpture trail at Fleurtys Café. Continue along the Channel Highway for a scenic drive through Middleton, Gordon, Verona Sands and Deep Bay into Cygnet.

At Cygnet appreciate the talent of local artisans Michelle and David at Phoenix Creations. Here unique and recycled timbers are used to prepare one-of-a-kind pieces of functional 'art furniture.' Phoenix Creations is one of ten local galleries and studios that form the Cygnet Art Trail. Make sure you pick up a brochure to discover these hidden gems. Relax with a wander through the village and enjoy morning tea at the sophisticated Red Velvet Lounge.

Heading north on the highway to Huonville, visit the family-owned multi award-winning boutique winery, Panorama Vineyard. Panorama specialises in pinot noir, as well as chardonnay, merlot, riesling, cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and a pinot rosé. It is open for public tastings Wednesday to Monday (vineyard tours by prior arrangement).

Continue north to arrive in Huonville for lunch at Huon Manor Restaurant, a converted grand old residence that specialises in quality Tasmanian seafood, produce and wines.

Depart Huonville along Glen Huon Road (C619) just south of Judbury to Chakaya Alpacas. Quality pure Suri Alpaca products are available as gifts or souvenirs.

Follow the C619 (which becomes North Huon Road) to Home Hill Winery. Marvel at this architecturally-designed restaurant and cellar door and buy some award-winning wines for your journey home. Connect with the Huon Highway (A6) to Hobart. Stop at the lookout between Grove and Lower Longley for amazing views of 'Sleeping Beauty,' eucalyptus forest and the productive orchards and farmland of Mountain River.

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