Bruny Island

Bruny Island Cheese Co.
On our last day in Tasmania we debated whether to hike on nearby Mount Wellington or to go further afield to Bruny Island. The weather decided for us as Mount Wellington was shrouded in cloud, and the sun was coming through the clouds in the direction of the island. We caught the ferry and headed for the area called the Neck, a small isthmus connecting the north and south ends of the island. We stopped at a wonderful tavern that offered tastes of all things smoked, smoked salmon, smoked trout, smoked cheese, smoked chutney etc. After a few tastes we headed for Bruny Island Cheese Co. that had a cafe, it was time for a.m. flat whites. This was a gourmet paradise! I wanted to buy one of everything they had on offer: honey, jams, mustard, dukkah (that nice spice/nut mixture to accompany bread dipped in olive oil), organic ice creams, bread baked in a wood oven and most importantly cheeses. We tasted each of the sheep and goat’s milk cheeses and opted for a take-out tray of cheese, bread, olives and preserved cherries to add to our picnic lunch along with bottles of locally produced apple juice and elderflower cordial. The cheese maker is Australian, but this food would please any Frenchman. In fact there was a crowd of French people in line in front of us. They are like bees to flowers, go to any gourmet food shop, and you will find yourselves in line behind them! I guess this helps you find the finest foods. We found a picnic site on our little map and walked about 20 metres to a breathtaking view of the Tasman Sea. We sat in a protected area with sea views and enjoyed the most unanticipated superb picnic. I must say that the food here in Australia is awfully good. They have the climate and conditions to produce wonderful fruits, vegetables, seafood and wines. Here in Tasmania the weather is cooler so they produce exquisite cheeses similar to those in New Zealand. After our picnic we climbed about 200 stairs to a lookout over the penguin nesting grounds with a 360 degree view over the Neck and what must be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Then we hiked for 1 ½ hours to Miles Beach at Moorina Bay, part of Queen Elizabeth Cape. After skirting a small airfield, we entered a eucalypt forest and coastal heath area until we reached the sea. About 2/3 of the way I froze in my tracks and stared at a large wallaby. He stared at us curiously for at least a minute and then turned and hopped out of sight. Later we surprised a pademelon as we re-entered the beach trail. I knew the wildlife in Australia would blow me away and it does. We also saw 4 black swans, various gulls and some birds feeding in a small lagoon that were too far away to identify. We had just enough time to return to Bruny Island Cheese Co. to sample their organic ice cream before heading off for the ferry. I had rhubarb with bay and Duncan had raspberry. We both agreed that THIS was the best ice cream we’d ever tasted. Sorry Ed! We returned back to Hobart for our final evening and dined at FISH 349, a lively spot near our favourite cinema, The State. We’ve been to three films while here, Five Minutes of Heaven (Irish), Welcome (French) and Mic Mac (French). This is a luxurious little cinema with a cafe in front. Our first night there were four in the audience for the Irish film. We sat on leather double seater sofas and could have had a glass of wine if we were so inclined. The next night there were four patrons again in a small upstairs viewing room with more traditional seating, and the third night there were about 20 viewers in another small room. In our opinion, this was a film lover’s mecca. They were also showing a film from French Canada in the afternoon that was at the Toronto Film Festival last fall. Hats off to the cinema owner!