Bruny Island
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Bruny Island is large island off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, from which it is separated by the D'Entrecasteaux Channel. Storm Bay is located to the island's northeast. Its traditional Aboriginal name was Alonnah Lunawanna, which survives as the name of two island settlements.
Geologically, Bruny Island is actually comprised of two islands - North Bruny and South Bruny - that are joined by a long, narrow sandy isthmus. The holiday village of Dennes Point is located in North Bruny, while South Bruny is the site of the towns of Alonnah, Adventure Bay and Lunawanna.
Outside its settlements the island is covered in grazing fields and large tracts of dry eucalyptus forest. Inland forests continue to be logged, but other large sections - mostly along the southeastern coast - are preserved as the South Bruny National Park. While the seaward side of the island features features two long beaches - Adventure Bay and Cloudy Bay - it is for the most part extremely rugged, with cliffs of Jurassic dolerite that tower over 200 metres above sea level, and which are amongst the highest sea cliffs in Australia. Bruny's channel side is far more sheltered and a favourite fishing and recreational boating area for local and interstate visitors.
An all-seasons vehicle ferry, the Mirambeena, runs between Kettering on the mainland and Roberts Point on North Bruny Island, and is unusual for using a Voith-Schneider propulsion system rather than a conventional propeller.
Bruny Island was originally inhabited by the Aboriginals until European arrival. Abel Tasman, made a landing in the vicinity of Bruny Island in 1642 followed by Captain Cook who landed at Adventure Bay. The island itself however is named after the French explorer Bruni D'Entrecasteaux who explored the Channel region in 1792. Since then the island has become known as a holiday location with surfing beaches, National Parks and historical sites. In more recent history the Bruny Island was the site of a land transfer by the state Government to local Aboriginal people.
Locations
External links
- The complete Online Information Guide to Bruny Island http://www.brunyisland.net
- Bruny Island Online Access Centre (http://www.tco.asn.au/oac/home.cgi?oacID=63)
- Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources - Bruny Island ferry (http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/marine/bruny_island_ferry/)