Bruny Island: The exclusive Tassie pocket that's a world of its own

Imagine an island where the beaches are impossibly white, the waters on a clear day are captivatingly blue, and the main road winds its way from one bay to the next.

Now imagine a mix of quaint cottages and grand architectural builds scattered about, many of which provide a restful retreat where one can spend days on end simply staring out to sea.

It may seem like what’s being described is some far-flung, out-of-reach location, but these utopian elements can in fact be found on Bruny Island – Tasmania’s ultimate wilderness wonder.

Being an island, off an island, off an island; Bruny can certainly feel like a world of its own.

But according to Laureen Wood of First National Kingston, who sells properties exclusively in the area, the vibrant city of Hobart is only ever a 40-minute journey away, involving a scenic 10-minute ferry to the Kettering terminal crossing the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, followed by a 30-minute drive to the city.

“There’s a sense of adventure that kicks in when you arrive. Driving along the Bruny Island Main Road is like following the yellow brick road, with many exquisite delicacies like Bruny Island Cheese Co. and Bruny Island House of Whisky, all set among incredible scenery,” Wood says.

“The island’s natural beauty blows people away – all that come itch to return, with some longing to own their own property, to either invest or live in, or aspire to one day retire to.”

Given the growing diversity in the island’s offerings, so too are the types of people expressing interest in the area, with a burgeoning blend of long-term residents, families, professional couples, and tree-changers. Interestingly, Wood notes that plenty of buyers are connected to Bruny in some way.

“I often talk to people who have memories of holidaying here in their grandparent’s shack, who have longed to one day return to the island,” says Wood.

“Others come seeking a more inclusive community in which to live and raise their children, while some arrive to take advantage of the ability to now work remotely. No matter the reason, they all consciously choose to indulge in a lifestyle that is more in tune with the natural world.”

Nothing says Tasmania like some freshly shucked oysters, and one such place where locals and visitors can get this fix is Get Shucked, an oyster farm located in North Bruny, owned and operated by Suzanne and Lee Macefield.

“Many people visit cellar doors for wine, and farms for paddock-to-plate dining, but here you can enjoy a bay-to-bar experience, where you can glance across the road and see the telltale buoys of the oyster farm, bobbing in the glittering bay,” says Suzanne.

“For those who are in a rush to get home, we also sell boxes of freshly shucked oysters to-go, served daily from our delightful drive-through window.”

After moving from Byron Bay 19 years ago to “escape the heat and the crowds”, Suzanne and Lee chose to raise their family on an old farm overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, where they delight in the island’s beautiful beaches, coastal landforms, and plentiful wildlife.

“Living here means being lucky enough to truly embrace the island and uncover its many secrets, such as the Fluted Cape and Cape Queen Elizabeth tracks, which are our favourite places to see spectacular sheer cliffs and endless ocean views,” Suzanne says.

“We also love late afternoon swims in the summer in what seems like our own sheltered bay at the bottom of our garden – this is all part and parcel with our island life.”

One to watch

Surrounded by a lush natural forest, this masterfully designed two-storey residence features a curved roofline that complements the surrounding hills and generous open-plan interiors with myriad concertina windows, soaking up ocean and channel views.

First National Kingston’s Laureen Wood is taking expressions of interest with a guide of over $1.95 million.

SOLD - $2,250,000

72 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay TAS 7150

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