This is a great, relaxing way to see the sights of Canberra while you cruise around Lake Burley Griffin.
We parked in the Questacon carpark, only a short walk from the jetty on Queen Elizabeth Terrace where we boarded the “Gull”. Conveniently located near a coffee shop, you can get a snack and coffee if you arrive early.
The boat takes you past many of the attractions of Australia’s capital while giving you a different view of them. The tour guide was very informative, going through the history of Canberra and most of the places we looked at.
Depending on the tour time, the Captain Cook Memorial Fountain may be operating, so you will get a close-up look of the water jet.
This was a fun, informative tour and would be a great introduction for anyone new to Canberra.
The GullWaterloo BridgeCaptain Cook Memorial JetAustralian Merchant Navy MemorialNational CarillonAngel of the NorthParliament House
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
Established in 2003, Broken Bay Pearl Farm is New South Wales’s only pearl farm. Although Sydney Rock oysters used for eating are farmed here, this is the first business to farm pearls.
Located at Mooney Mooney on the Hawkesbury River, parking was at a premium, with some people on our tour parking at the Mooney Mooney Club and walking (only a 5-minute walk away). Starting at an old oyster shed, now used as a sales room and “Shellar Door”, we checked in and waited for the tour to start.
The two-hour tour starts with a history of oyster harvesting in Australia. Archaeological evidence indicates that Aboriginal people (the Darkinjung and Ku-ring-Gai) fished for oysters at least 20,000 years ago. With colonialization, oysters were used for food and later for use in concrete, where their shells were used for lime. Pearl farming first commenced in Broome, Western Australia in 1946.
Local pearl farming started when Agoya oysters were noticed growing on Sydney Rock oysters. This species of oyster produce beautiful mother of pearl, a prerequisite to make pearls. After trials, it was found they could be successfully farmed, leading to Broken Bay Oyster Farms.
Mother of Pearl Oyster ShellsOyster Shells
The Tour
After learning all about pearls, we boarded the catamaran for a one-hour cruise to see the oysters. On the way the guide stopped to show us Aboriginal rock carvings.
Located next to a beautiful little beach, the oyster lease currently contained eight-month-old oysters, because others had been moved out to sea. This was because recent rain had flushed too much fresh water into the area, which was not good for their development.
Our guide retrieved some from their baskets, so we had a chance for a close-up look at them. He then showed how pearls are seeded before they are returned to the water.
Tour Boat
Train Bridge over the Hawkesbury River
Aboriginal Fish Rock Carvings
Beach Near the Oyster Lease
8 Month Old Oysters
8 Month Old Oysters
Oyster Growth Stages
Pearl Seed and Damaged Pearls
What Did We Think?
This was a great tour and something we hadn’t heard about before. Until discovering them, we had no idea about farming pearl oysters on the east coast, let alone being able to go on a tour. We really enjoyed the two hours we were there, because it was interesting and educational.
At 50kms long, Bruny Island has farms, food, forests, wildlife, beaches, and history, all within an easy drive. We spent two nights and two full days on the island and could have spent more because there’s so much to see and do.
Although accessible only by ferry, the island is still easy to get to, as the service runs regularly at 30-minute intervals. Check the timetable before going, to ensure you have the correct time. Tickets are purchased on the day of travel, as you enter the ferry terminal.
Cape Queen Elizabeth Track
Our first stop when we arrived was Cape Queen Elizabeth Track, where we walked to Bligh Rocks on the coast. This section of the walk took us one hour return for the five kilometres, plus another 30 minutes for photos and looking around. The full walk to the cape is 13km return, with an estimated 3 hours for the round trip.
Located opposite Bruny Island Honey, the track head has a small carpark next to the start of the walk. Commencing in coastal eucalypt forest, the vegetation changes to banksia scrub before reaching the beach on Moorina Bay.
This long sandy beach looks amazing and in summer must be a great place to relax, but in winter was too cold for a swim.
Bligh Rocks sit to the left of where the track enters the beach, with a gap in the rocks allowing access to the other side. At low tide access is possible on the ocean side, but is too dangerous when the tide is in. Through the gap, an arch gives access to a lovely small beach and more rocks.
Another arch further along, past this beach is accessible at very low tide, but was far too dangerous to attempt while we were there.
This was a very nice short walk and a great introduction to the island.
Cape Queen Elizabeth Track
Gum Tree on Cape Queen Elizabeth Track
Moorina
Bligh Rocks
Bligh Rocks
Small Beach Near Bligh Rocks
Bligh Rocks
Bligh Rocks
The Neck Lookout / Truganini Lookout
One of the best-known features of Bruny Island is the spit that connects the north to the south part of the island. A carpark located next to a lookout gives a wonderful view of the neck, as well as providing views up and down the coast.
There are a lot of steps up to the lookout, but platforms at regular intervals allow rest stops and the chance to take in the views as you go up.
A large viewing platform at the top has bench seats to rest on and admire the views. In the middle of the platform, is a memorial to Truganini, the last full-blood Tasmanian aboriginal. Born in 1812 and dying in 1876 Truganini, the daughter of a Mangana leader saw her mother killed by sailors, her uncle shot by a soldier, her sister abducted by sealers, and her fiancé murdered by timber-getters. The genocide of the original Tasmanian people is the darkest part of Tasmania’s troubled history.
Stairway Up To The Lookout
Truganini Memorial
The Neck From the Lookout
Looking Toward South Bruny Island
Looking Toward North Bruny Island
Cape BrunyLighthouse
Sitting on the far south-western corner of the island, the heritage listed Cape Bruny Lighthouse, is 114m tall and sits perched at the top of rugged cliffs. The coastal views are amazing, especially at sunrise and sunset. We timed our visit to arrive before sunset and were able to see some great views.
Cape Bruny Lighthouse
View of the Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage
View Over Lighthouse Bay
Sunset at Cape Bruny Lighthouse
Adventure Bay Bruny Island
Our two nights’ accommodation were in Adventure Bay, allowing us easy access to most of the island because of its central location. The area has a small general store, selling most things visitors will need, a great beach, some interesting attractions as well as being the departure point for the Adventure Cruise.
Opposite the general store, near the pathway to the beach is a large sculpture featuring a world globe containing a whale. Whales are often seen during their migration as they pass off the coast. In the past whales were hunted, but that has long gone, and they are now protected.
Between Adventure Bay and the small marina, two monuments to Captain James Cook commemorate his visit here in 1777.
Coal mining was undertaken in the area from 1879 to 1890 and a small information board explains its history. Mining was very difficult, because it was located on the shore line and impacted by the sea. The coal seam can be seen from the lookout near the information board.
Adventure Bay Beach
Globe Sculpture Adventure Bay
Captain Cook Memorial Adventure Bay
Memorial to Captain Cook’s Tree
Coal Point Where Mining Occurred in the Late 1800s
Sunset
Sooty Oystercatcher
Beer, Wine, Whiskey, and Cider Tasting
Bruny Island has its own brewery, cider, whiskey, cheese, honey, and chocolate, so while there, take the opportunity to sample the locally made produce. We tried a few of the options and bought more to take home and enjoy later.
J Dillon and Sons Bruny Island Apple Cider
Bruny Island Beer Co. Lighthouse Ale
Beer Tasting at Bruny Island Cheese Company
Bruny Island Chocolate Company
Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise
The highlight of out stay was the Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise. This three-hour cruise explores the rugged coastal cliffs and wildlife including seals, dolphins, and whales, if they are in the area. For the full blog of the cruise, click here.
The Monument
Arch in the Cliff Face
Australian Fur Seals on The Friars
Accommodation
We stayed in a self contained holiday house in Adventure Bay. This gave us a great place to explore from, while being able to relax in private. With places to eat nearby and centrally located for the Island’s attractions, we enjoyed our stay here.
What Did We Think
We really enjoyed out time here and could have spent several more days going on walks and exploring. The natural beauty and rugged coastline were amazing and the wildlife wonderful to see.
