travel Archives - Page 40 of 47 - Destination's Journey

16 June 202116 July 2021

Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

How to Get There

The Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise leaves from Adventure Bay on Bruny Island. On arrival, park your car in the large carpark and make your way to the large building, where you check in and wait for the tour to start. From here, the guides will walk you to the boats tied up at a nearby pier.

What to Wear and Take

The weather in this part of Tasmania is very changeable, meaning that although it may be warm before you start, it may be cold or raining later. The tour recommends warm clothing, as the temperature out on the water may be cold. A waterproof jacket is provided, which is ankle length, but you may still get wet. We wore woollen jumpers and jackets, but still used the jackets provided. Gloves and something warm for your head, like a beanie and a scarf are also recommended.

There is room in the overhead nets for bags and backpacks to keep them dry, but anything on the floor will get wet. To avoid water damage photos are best taken when the boat stops. We kept cameras inside our jackets when not being used and they did not get wet.

Prior to the boat leaving the dock, the crew provide a safety briefing and distributed ginger seasick tablets. Fortunately, no one became sick during our cruise.

The Bruny Island Adventure Cruise Boat Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise — The Bruny Island Adventure Cruise Boat

The Coastline

One of the main attractions for the cruise is the rugged coastline which provides a fantastic backdrop throughout the three hours you are on the water. Whether it is towering cliffs, blow holes, sea caves or arches, there was always something to look at. The boat stopped regularly, which allowed us to take pictures. Taking pictures while moving was impossible, as we moved too fast, and it was too bumpy and wet.

Cliffs

The towering dolerite cliffs dominate the coastline, throughout the trip, reminding you of how rugged the coastline is. One of the best sights is the monument, an eroded spire standing out of the sea watching over the coast.

Opening to a Sea Cave — Dolerite Cliff Face

Sea Caves and Blow Holes

Wave action has cut caves and fissures into the cliffs in many places, producing caves and blow holes. As the water enters the fissures and is forced out by air pressure, huge spouts of water erupt into the air. The boat got close enough so that we were often covered by the spray.

Blow Hole on a Cliff Face Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise — Blow Hole on a Cliff Face

Arches

Over time erosion around the sea caves turns them into arches. These look magnificent standing above the sea, with waves crashing around their base.

Islands

The Friars, several small islands are home to seals and sea birds. The tour takes you out to them, but they also look good by themselves.

The Friars Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise — The Friars

Wildlife to See on The Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

Although a major highlight of the tour, there is no guarantee that wildlife will be seen during the cruise. We were lucky, because seals and seabirds were basking on the rocks and dolphins put on a show for the return journey.

Birds

During the cruise we were able to see many sea birds, most of which were drying their feathers on rocks off the coast. We managed to see a sea eagle, but it was too far away for a good photo.

Black-faced Cormorants and a White Faced Heron — Black-faced Cormorants

Seals

New Zealand and Australian fur seals were basking on rock ledges when we were there, making for great photo opportunities. At the Friars, the boat was able to get close inshore where we saw them up close. This was very special and a highlight of the trip, although the smell was overpowering.

Dolphins

During the return trip dolphins swam next to the boat, putting on a great show.

Whales

Sometime during trips whales are visible as they migrate to and from the Antarctic. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any, but the other wildlife we saw was great.

Back on Shore

After returning our wet weather jackets and thanking the crew, we made our way to the restaurant where we had a hot meal and a drink from the bar.

What Did We Think of The Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

This was the highlight of our visit to Bruny Island with the coastline and wildlife being amazing to see. Remember to wear warm waterproof clothing and don’t forget your camera.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

Our photos are available for purchase on

14 June 20213 July 2021

Ross a Historic 19th Century Tasmanian Village

Ross Tasmania

Built by convict labour in the early 1800s, Ross is a wonderfully preserved 19th century village full of old buildings and history.

How to Get There

Ross is about a one-hr drive (78 km) south from Launceston and a 90-min drive (121 km) north from Hobart.

Ross Bridge

Probably the most famous structure in town the bridge is Australia’s third oldest standing bridge. Often considered the most beautiful of its kind left in the world because of its 186 carvings by convict stonemasons. Deemed to be of such high quality at the time of construction it won the men a free pardon.

During our brief stay the water level was very high, meaning we could not get as Close as we wanted to the carvings, but we still managed to see it from further away. Lit up at night, the bridge takes on a surreal look, with the colour of the sandstone emphasised.

Town Centre

Full of old buildings and lined with elm trees, even in winter the main street look amazing. Our first stop was the bakery to get something to eat and drink after our drive. After that we walked around town admiring the old convict built buildings. Everything is close together, so you are able to get about on foot rather than driving.

Old telephone boxes add a great bit of character to the main street, rather than more modern metal ones. As well as the buildings, the war memorial at the town’s cross-roads makes a great centre piece and is surrounded on four corners by old buildings.

Churches

Scattered around town are three sandstone churches, all worth having a look at. The Uniting Church flood lit at night, so go back and have a look after dark.

St John's Anglican Church Ross — St John’s Anglican Church Ross

Ross Uniting Church — St John’s Anglican Church Ross

Ross at Night

After dark, the bridge, Uniting Church and war memorial are flood lit. This adds a great additional dimension to the feel of the town. In the middle of winter, there were only a few groups looking around, so it was even better.

Uniting Church at Night — Ross Bridge at Night

Where Did We Stay?

Our accommodation was at the Ross Motel, which we found very comfortable. It was also centrally located, so we were able to walk from here to everything we wanted to see.

What Did We Think?

Ross is a wonderful little village, with its historic 19th century centre preserved. We loved walking around the streets admiring the old buildings. The flood lit buildings at night also add a great touch, making it interesting to get out after dark to look around.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

Our photos are available for purchase on

14 June 20211 July 2021

Legerwood Memorial Trees

Created to honour fallen soldiers in World War One, the Legerwood Memorial Trees are a brilliant way to ensure their legacy remains remembered.

Following the end of World War One, many towns and cities in Australia chose to honour their fallen soldiers by planting trees to form avenues of remembrance. Planted during elaborate ceremonies, the families of dead soldiers placed trees as a permanent reminder of the sacrifice of their loved ones.

However, with time, the trees aged and became a hazard to people passing by. The thought of removing them and losing a link to the past was too much for the local community, so they came up with a unique solution. They engaged chainsaw artist Eddie Freeman to transform the trees into permanent memorials. Using historical photos of the soldiers, he sculpted the trees into wonderful artworks.

Not only do the sculptures show soldiers, but also depicts them in their civilian jobs, or with wives and fiancés. There are nine trees, in the park. They represent the seven men from the town killed in the conflict, one to remember the ANZACS and one to remember the sacrifice made at Gallipoli.

There is a plaque giving the history of the men at the base of each tree.

Getting There

Located just over an hour from Launceston along the Tasman Highway, Legerwood is easy to get to. Marked, appropriately by a sculpture, the turn-off is hard to miss. On street parking is available in the park, which also has toilet facilities and a barbeque area.

The Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees

We spent a lot of time walking around the memorials, reading the histories of the soldiers. The sculptures are great and it was wonderful that the artist used photos of the men to create each piece of art, because each one looks individual.

Legerwood Memorial Trees — Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees

A soldier on the Beach at Gallipoli Carrying an Ammunition Box and Billy Can Legerwood Memorial Trees — Legerwood Carved Memorial Trees

What Did We Think?

This was a great stop and a wonderful way to remember those who fought and died in the First World War. We loved walking around reading the men’s histories and admiring the sculptures.

To read other posts about Tasmania, click here.

Our photos are available for purchase on

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Tag: travel

Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

How to Get There

What to Wear and Take