Regions: D’Entrecasteaux Channel
This southern region of Tasmania was one of the first to be visited by early navigators, who anchored in the sheltered waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Both the Channel and Bruny Island are named after the French explorer Bruni d’Entrecasteaux, one of the many Europeans explorers who came to Tasmania back when it was known as Van Diemen’s Land. They found the channel to be a safe place to drop anchor and for us, as it was with then, find it ideal to use as a base from which to explore the surrounding countryside.
Highlights:
Along the road that winds its way south through the waterside hamlets of Snug and Margate, Kettering and Woodbridge, Middleton and Gordon, you’ll glimpse white sails and bright spinnakers, hard-working fishing boats, the busy runabouts of salmon farmers, visitors relaxing in sea kayaks and kids jigging for squid from a jetty – that’s the life of the Channel today. Sloping back up into the hills, orchards and pastures meet the dark forest, blazing with golden wattle bloom in spring. Take the low road along the coast all the way to Cygnet, hub of a creative community at the head of a quiet bay.
Bruny Island: shelters the channel on its eastern side. An island paradise in Australia’s deep south, Bruny is effectively two quite different islands connected by a narrow neck of sand. The island is known for its its wild seascapes and sweeping surf beaches, rich maritime history, abundant birdlife and wildlife, tall forests and historic lighthouse. Bruny is accessed by a ferry service operating from Kettering, 40 minutes south of Hobart.The ferry crosses several times per day, around every hour and a half to Roberts Point.
Fishing: D’Entrecasteaux Channel is a designated recreational scale fishing area that offers magnificent boating and fishing. Bruny Island also offers great fishing and many areas protected from weather. Flathead, cod, Australian salmon,Atlantic salmon, sea-run trout, barracouta, bream, mullet, squid, pike and flounder are the major angling species. Reliable catches can almost be assured all year round.Access is good with many areas accessible from the shore. Plenty of small boat ramps are scattered along its length. Aquaculture of Atlantic salmon occurs here and escapees are targeted by recreational anglers. Website >>
How To Get There:
Leave Hobart, either via via Sandy Bay Road and Channel Highway, passing through Sandy Bay (Wrest Point Casino), Taroona (historic shot tower) and Kingston.
The Best Time To Visit:
November to April is the peak season in Tasmania. Summer brings warm days and mild evenings from December to February, while winter can be stormy with snow on the mountain peaks between July and August. The weather is most stable from the end of summer to autumn (February to April).
Southern Tasmania’s climate is mild and pleasant with four distinct seasons, each with its own special pleasures. Summer is mild and pleasant, with warm afternoons and long twilights. Autumn is calm, sunny and cool. Winter is brisk and bracing with snow dusting the high peaks and the air is crisp and clear. Spring is cool, fresh and green with daffodils and apple blossom brighten the countryside.
Things To See and Do:
Use the menu at the top of this page to find places of interest and things to see and do in this region. Alternatively, use the map below.
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