The views in this area are quite rugged with waves crashing on the rocks far below and the deep blue Southern Ocean stretching out to the horizon.
On our way back towards northern Bruny we detour to Adventure Bay where we had noticed a sign saying 'tesselated paving'. Linda had read something about this but couldn't recall the exact detail. After several false trails we eventually arrive at a rocky foreshore where the rock formations are quite flat and horizontal. Naturally cut into large squares (tessellated) like a huge piece of fudge, it’s geologically interesting.
Almost ferry time so with half an hour up our sleeve we retrace our way back over The Neck making a brief stop at Bish (Bruny Island Smokehouse) only a few minutes from the ferry. We relax on the verandah looking out to sea, with a glass of pinot for 20 minutes or so, purchase a very expensive bottle of Bruny Island pinot – more about this later – then meander down to the ferry with plenty of time to spare. We can’t say we have seen all of Bruny Island but we have been to both extremities and a bit in between. Not too bad for an afternoon’s work. We're on the 7pm (last) boat back to Kettering and once there, join the A6 back into CBD Hobart.
We had enjoyed Fish 349 www.fish349.com.au so much on our previous two visits we decide to make it our final Hobart dinner. On arriving at the door about 9:30pm, however, we find they are just closing the kitchen. We will definitely return there next time we visit Hobart, but what about now? There are lots of restaurants in the area with a high percentage being Asian which we don’t favour.
Walking slowly back towards The Lodge we find ourselves drawn to a small Italian establishment – Piccolo. They also are closing their kitchen but say they could just fit us in with a limited menu choice. The options are perfect for us and of a very high quality served with charm.
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south of Hobart |
Cygnet |
near Cygnet |
Very happy, we return to The Lodge www.thelodge.com.au and this time an undisturbed sleep. After breakfast, we pay the bill and load up the car which is made more strenuous by having to negotiate narrow stairs and two doors which automatically close and lock behind you.
We feel clear headed this morning after our quiet night so don't get locked out and 15 minutes later are driving down Elizabeth towards the excellent coffee waiting at Jam Packed. Some days a morning coffee tastes better than it has any right to – this is one of those days. We are taking a look at the southern coast today, an area dotted with coves, inlets and pretty coastal villages. Our thinking is to spend tonight not too far north of Hobart ready for an early morning start to Strahan on the west coast - a comfortable all day run.
We are soon past Kettering, from where we boarded the Bruny ferry yesterday, passing through Woodbridge, Middleton and Gordon, all pretty waterside villages.
A few photo-stops later we arrive at Cygnet near to lunchtime and are drawn to The Red Velvet Lounge www.theredvelvetlounge.com.au on the left as we drive into the small township. The name sounds like a venue from the 70s and it does have this appearance. Although the inside space is huge, well placed tables offer comfortable seating with a degree of privacy. The service is prompt and friendly and the lunch is a very high standard. We share a slice of homemade tarte tatin to finish with our very well made coffees. These people know what they are doing and talking with other Tasmanians later in our journey, who had traveled this part of the state, we discover that everyone knows about the Red Velvet Lounge.
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