Bruny Island and the beautiful Cloudy Bay

From Cockle Creek, we had no choice but to retrace our steps north - however we did divert and visit the Hastings Cave.  

The Hastings (Newdegate) Cave is unique in that it has been formed in Dolerite, not limestone like similar karst caves in Australia.  The dolerite is a Calcium / Magnesium Carbonate - which predates most limestone - hence this is a very old cave.  The chemical process for the formation of the cave is very similar to limestone caves, however the Magnesium remains in solution and is washed away

The mighty iPhone camera let me down in the cave itself, which was a bit disappointing, but we did see many of the classic cave formations, and some Tasmanian Cave Spiders when we left!

Newdgate Cave

We continued north, and resupplied before catching the ferry from Kettering.  It wasn't long before we were driving off into Bruny Island, and after picking up some fresh oysters, we stopped at Truganini Lookout.

Truganini was one of Australia's most famous Aboriginal women, although her story is far from one we can be proud of.  She hailed from Bruny Island, however when she was just 17 years old she witnessed the stabbing of her mother by Whalers.  Sealers subsequently kidnapped her two sisters, before Timber-getters murdered her husband to be.  Her father died a broken man.

Truganini later became a guide and interpreter to George Robinson, who had been appointed by the colonial government to persuade Aboriginals to peacefully give up their land with the promise that it would all be returned after a period in exile.  This promise was ultimately broken.

Truganini died on Flinders Island - and two years after he death, her body was exhumed and her skeleton placed on display.  It took another hundred years before her remains were finally returned to her people, and her ashes were scattered in the waters where she grew up.

Truganini Lookout

This lookout, on the sandy spit linking North and South Bruny Island is named Truganini Lookout in her memory - and we paused at the top to hope that we can move on from our past, and build a better future for all.

The weather was indeed spectacular - and it was great to see the sunshine again!

On the beach - to our campsite

We drove south to Cloudy Bay - and our destination involved a 4km drive on the beach to our camp at the southern end of the bay.  I must admit I was a little nervous when we set off down the beach, but the sand was hard packed and we made it easy.

With such a busy few days behind us, we all voted for a rest day - and did exactly that.  We spend the next day just chillaxing on the beach.  We teased the fish - again with no luck, kicked a ball around, played a bit of beach cricket and enjoyed a good old Aussie summer holiday.

Beach Soccer

Spectacular in the evenings

The campsite was a lovely sheltered spot on the headland, protected from any of the prevailing winds. The boys had a great time on their bikes doing laps around the campground.

Camp

Mum even made some little piklets - which were very popular of course!

Sold out in no time!

Little Fishermen return empty handed

The rest day was also an opportunity to catch up on a little maintenance.  A niggly fault with the lights in the canopy was soon traced to a broken wire and easily fixed.  Handy when you have the right gear on hand!

Kitchen bench becomes work bench

We loved every minute of our time on Bruny Island - but it was time to move on.  We restocked with some more fresh oysters and headed north - destination the Tasman Peninsular and the unmissable Port Arthur.