Bruny Island

 Yellow Boat, with 3x300hp Merc Outboards

 Wind-driven waves crash on the ferry dock

Our next tour was the Bruny Island Adventure, for a cruise along the coast of Tasmania. We left at 8 am on our bus with some short views of historical boats and a few houses from the 1800. A ferry crossing, a two story open barge style, took about 20 minutes, to get us onto the island. The north part of Bruny Island is sheep farming, with most inhabitants, 650 population, spread throughout  the south portion. The two islands are joined by a narrow sand spit created for the car traffic. During the holiday season it grows to 9000. Lots of cottages, one petrol fuel station, and many cottage type industries, fudge shop(yummy), oyster haven, cheese shop to name just a few.

Arriving at our destination, we had “Tea” before departing on our 3 hour cruise which took us to Tasmania's most southern edge. Upon seeing our watercraft and the wind blowing this was not going to be a peaceful ride but a ................
BOUNCY TOPSY TURVEY SEASICK EXPERIENCE. YUK!!!!

Linda was somewhat apprehensive, as the boat was really rocking all over with the winds, but she climbed aboard making sure she had the less bouncy part of the boat, the back end..... just bearable was more like it. All boarded we left the dock to some bit quieter spot ( not by much) for handing out the red waterproof coats and the necessary ginger base sea sick pills to everyone. The pills actually worked really well.

White caps on the waves as out we sped, water splashing, bouncing along at about 20 knots looking at the  rock walls of coastal beauty. A coastline has it's own splendor but can be ruined by stupid people. A couple of days ago a couple of idiots decided to light a campfire in the National park, which is forbidden, with the fire danger at extremely high. They put the fire out, but decided to throw the ashes over the cliff......!!!???

 A fire broke out along the cliffs which had been battled for several days and basically was out until the winds arrived. As we had to go by this point we got some extra excitement, a closeup look at what was happening. We ventured further out to sea to get around the smoke that was blowing out over the water to get to our many stops. The water calmed a bit in the different inlets as we looked at Breathing Holes, Sea Caves of different shapes, rock formations, penguins and seals. We crossed the line where the Tasman sees meets the South Ocean. We never thought we get far enough south to reach this point.

 A faster trip back, and not as bouncy as the wind had changed directions, we hoped to spot some whales and dolphins but no luck. The migration happens in November, so we missed by a week or so. As we approached the fire it was now going back on itself. We have heard the culprits were caught but have not heard if or what punishment they'll endure.

No one was sick, at least not enough to throw up, and Linda relaxed and enjoyed the adventure after she got used to the swerving of the boat. Back to the visitors center, with our lunch served right away as we sat down......Pumpkin Soup, very popular in Australia and really tasty. Then our sandwich was presented ....

Frank thoroughly enjoyed the outing and got some pretty neat photos in between the water drenching. However he did loose something again. His ball capped got ripped off his head even from underneath the hood. So somewhere his blue Gold Coast cap is bouncing along on the waves of the Tasman Sea.

 Cave #1, lovely water colour

 There she blows!

 Cormorants breading time

 Seals rookery

So in the end ...........we'd do it again this TERRIFYING EXHILARATING ADVENTURE!!!!!!

 Smoking tower

 We left around 3 pm stopping at the Chocolate Fudge Shop and at the oyster shack. We were dropped off at the dock at about 5 pm. We then had the tortures to find supper. A lot of places were packed or not the style of dinner desired. We finally looked at a Greek restaurant and had a scrumptious meal to end a fantastic day we'll not forget too soon.

 The Southern Ocean

 Bruny Island with the yellow boats is the place to come in Tasmania..............