Holiday houses in Adventure Bay

Located on Bruny Island, off the southeast coast of Tasmania, Adventure Bay is steeped in the rich history of Australia’s explorers and the whaling history of the country’s early days. Named after the HMS Adventure, the bay was first sighted by Abel Tasman, who arrived in November 1642. This portion of Bruny Island is essentially two islands joined by a narrow isthmus known as The Neck.

Adventure Bay is a starting point for several of the island’s main walks, and it’s also one of the more sheltered beaches and a popular spot for swimming. Try the local food at the beachfront restaurant which provides stunning views of Adventure Bay and serves fresh Tasmanian seafood in addition to local wines and beers. A wilderness cruise can take you from Adventure Bay to the high sea cliffs, deep-sea caves, and shorelines with coastal wildlife, including seals, dolphins, migrating whales, and seabirds in their native habitat.

The most popular months to visit Adventure Bay are September through February when the warmer weather averages about 18 degrees Celsius. The sunniest days in Bruny Island are in November, when the days average over 12 hours of sunshine. During summer, even at a bracing 15 degrees, Bruny’s pristine waters make it an amazing location for water sports like swimming, fishing, snorkelling, boating, kayaking, and surfing. The island’s unspoiled environment, reliable rainfall, and cool weather make it a haven for foodies, with hand-picked berries and other fresh produce available during the summer months. The coldest month is July when the average temperature is 9 degrees. July also hosts the shortest day, with only 5 hours of sunshine, but it can be a great time of year for spotting the Southern Lights and the Milky Way.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

The heritage-listed 1836 Cape Bruny Lighthouse towers 114 metres above dramatic cliff tops and coves of the rugged Cape Bruny Tasmanian coastline. This is the country’s second-oldest and longest continually staffed extant lighthouse. You can climb the original wrought iron spiral staircase to the top to take in the spectacular views of the Southern Ocean and the small islands beyond.

The Neck

A vital habitat for native wildlife, The Neck stretches between Bruny Island’s north and south island, offering extraordinary 360-degree views of the islands. Boardwalks and viewing platforms invite you to take in the short-tailed shearwater seabirds and fairy penguins. Dusk is the ideal time to see these remarkable birds returning to their burrows in the sand dunes.

Jurassic Garden

Within the private wildlife reserve of the Inala property on Bruny Island, you’ll find the Jurassic Garden featuring over 650 species of plants with ancient connections. The garden spreads across five acres of gently rolling land, where 50 plant families illustrate linkages with their Jurassic ancestors. You can also take in the collections of shells and fossils at the Inala Nature Museum on the property.