by Mickey Jarvis | Nov 19, 2024 | Uncategorized
Bruny Island is a large island situated south of Hobart. The only way to access the island is via a ferry from Kettering (unless you have your own boat). The cost is about $60 which gets you there and back.
The original people were the Nuenonne who called the island Lunawannalonna. Their name was later used to create the names of the towns – Lunawanna and Alonnah.
Before the arrival of European settlers, the Nuenonne people inhabited the Island, part of the larger Southeast Tasmanian Aboriginal nation for over 34,000 years, the Nuenonne lived in harmony with the island’s diverse ecosystem, relying on its abundant resources for sustenance and spiritual connection. Their deep knowledge of the land, sea, and skies enabled them to thrive in this rugged island environment.
The Nuenonne people expressed their cultural identity through art, storytelling, and ceremonial practices. Intricate rock carvings and cave paintings adorn the island’s hidden corners, capturing the essence of their beliefs and daily life. Stories and oral traditions were passed down through generations, preserving the history and wisdom of their ancestors. You should never interfere with any of these places or objects as they are sacred to the original people – look but do not touch!
Bruny Island was eventually inhabited by ‘white’ settlers and this was the start of their downfall.
1642 Abel Tasman was the first recorded European to sight the island.
1773 Tobias Furneaux was the first British explorer to reach the island and anchored at Adventure Bay (named after his ship).
1777 James Cook’s two ships, the Resolution and Discovery stayed in the bay area for two days.
1792 Bruni d’Entrecasteaux, the island is named after the French explorer, who discovered it to be an island and named it Bruni Island.
1918 the spelling was changed to Bruny.
North Bruny Island is quite different from South Bruny Island. The north has open pastures and light bushland and is known to be drier than the south. The south is heavily timbered, hilly and has sections of rainforest.
by Mickey Jarvis | Mar 2, 2025 | East Coast, Low Hazard, St Helens
Near: St Helens | from Hobart: 250 km | Launceston: 175 km
Hazard Rating: 1/10 | Parking: Good | Faces: into Burns Bay | Length: 100 m
Burns Bay is a beach and boat ramp located at the end of St Helens Point Road on the peninsula NE of St Helens.
Located in a small protected bay, great for a swim or snorkel. A popular boat ramp with an interesting rock-built toilet block.
Named after a resident, Robby Burns.
Ignore some of the Google Maps markers as they are wrong – e.g., Beer Barrel Beach.
by Mickey Jarvis | Feb 5, 2023 | Dodges / Carlton, Patrolled, South East, Surf
South of Sorell |
Hazard Rating: 5/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 40 km | Faces: South-ish into Tiger Head Bay | Length: 2.8 km
The east end is Carlton Beach (the west end is referred to as Park Beach). Close parking but may become limited on good days (sun or surf). Can be accessed along it’s length by means of walkways from Carlton Beach Road (100-200m).
The east has has amenities and is patrolled. A good beach to learn surfing and boarding when patrolled.
At the far east end of the beach is the Carlton Rivermouth which is known for its surf break but not recommended for swimming due to strong currents.
Named by a whaler in 1806 the word Carlton means ‘free peasant settlement’.
by Mickey Jarvis | Jan 27, 2023 | Patrolled, South Arm Road, Surf
South Arm Road |
Hazard Rating: 6/10 | Parking: Good + close | from Hobart: 30 km | Faces: South into Storm Bay | Length: 2.1 km
Located off South Arm Road, Clifton Beach is a popular surf beach. The west end is generally referred to as South Clifton and the east end as North Clifton?
South has close parking but may become busy on good days. Good amenities and is often patrolled.
North is accessed via Cape Deslacs Track and a 300m walk and has no amenities. Often has better surf than the south end.
South is a good beach to learn surfing and boarding as it has consistent surf and is often patrolled.
by Mickey Jarvis | Nov 11, 2024 | Bruny Island, Surf
Bruny Island | Hazard Rating: 7/10 | Parking: Good + close | Location: South Bruny Island | Faces: South | Length: 9 km (ish)
Original People: Nuenonne | Original Name: lunawannalonna (Bruny Island)
Information and review
Cloudy Bay is a spectacular beach and bay at the south end of Bruny Island. A long beach with a headland in the middle and an inland lagoon (Cloudy Bay Lagoon) that feeds into the sea via Inlet Beach. To get there turn left at Lunawanna – about 10 Km to Cloudy, view some of the unique flora on the way.
This is a wild beach in a remote area of South Bruny with great surf. Although dangerous to swim, it is worth visiting to explore, view and enjoy.
Cloudy is a renowned surf beach, particularly the west end, a 500+ metre walk west from the carpark. Looking south the next stop is Antarctica.
The bay was originally named l’baie Mauvaise (Bad Bay) by French explorer Bruni D’Entrecasteaux in 1792. After 1822, it was marked on maps as Bad Bay, and after 1859, it became known as Cloudy Bay.
Cloudy has one the best bush ‘loos’ with a view I have seen – sit and enjoy the fantastic view!
I cannot express how much I think anyone visiting Bruny Island should visit this beach – in terms of great beaches it is a wonder of the world.
