There’s nothing quite like embracing winter in the comfort of a warm house overlooking a pristine beach, with snow covered mountains in the distance, a comfortable sofa and soft woolly sweater, good book and a steaming hot cup of something delicious (or a glass of red and a wedge of cheese). And when that’s combined with the company of a few great friends, what could be better?
Cue our mid-winter mini getaway to Bruny Island last weekend. For those not familiar with the geography of our most Southern state, Bruny is a small-ish island (about 100 kms in length) south-east of Hobart. Access to the island is via car ferry from Kettering, just under an hour’s drive from Hobart Airport. A stop in Snug (yes that’s right) along the way to stock up on supplies from Snug Butchery and Oyster Cove Fruit and Vegetables and then onto the Bruny Island Ferry, a 20 minute ferry trip with fabulous views up the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Arriving in Bruny in time for a late lunch at the excellent Bruny Island Cheese Co. In fact it’s Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Company and as a group we made a point of doing a wide sampling. It only seemed right. Cheese, beer (or wine), local hot smoked salmon and home-baked bread, truly what more could you wish for on a cold wintery afternoon?
With our tummies full and a cache of cheese for the next few days, we doubled back up the road to Get Shucked to stock up on Bruny Island Oysters taking advantage of the novel fresh oyster drive-thru. These cultivated Pacific oysters are brilliant testament to the pristine waters around Bruny Island; full of briny, sweet goodness.
Then onto our home for the weekend at Cloudy Bay Beach House on the south-western side of Bruny about an hour’s drive from the Bruny Island Ferry terminal on North Bruny. And what a spectacular home away from home. Floor to ceiling glass in the large, open living areas affords breath-taking views out across pristine beach and ocean with only The Southern Ocean between us an Antarctica. Beautifully appointed, architecturally designed, with plenty of space for 3 couples the house has private boardwalk access to the beach and the start of several bush trails around the coastline.
The next couple of days was a wonderful mix of relaxing in front of that amazing view, walking the beach and coastal tracks rugged up in our winter woollies and a lovely lunch at Bruny Island Premium Wines where an over indulgence in desserts resulted in afternoon naps all round.
At night, the lack of city light pollution provided a brilliant opportunity for star gazing and startling pink sunrises and sunsets were pure delight. There is also plenty of bird and wildlife on the island.
Bruny Island is made up of a north and south island separated by a narrow isthmus called The Neck. Our relaxing weekend away was spent on the quieter more remote southern end of South Bruny Island.
Our long weekend was over much too quickly; a quick stop into Bruny Island Cheese Co and Bruny Island Smokehouse (just near the ferry) for take-home supplies, back on the car ferry, a stop at Kingston Beach for brilliant fish and chips beside the beach and in no time, we were back at Hobart airport and winging our way home, fully rested and recharged.
A long weekend away is a great way to recharge the batteries and reconnect with your creative energy. Bring on this week’s projects.
That is absolutely amazing. Not only the photos and amazing Bruny Island but also the very interesting, descriptive script.