Touring near the Oyster Cove Chalet
VISITING SOUTHERN TASMANIA
When visiting southern Tasmania a must see, must do and of course must explore, is the magnificent D’Entrecasteaux Channel from Taroona through Kettering to township of Cygnet.
Bruny Island shelters this magnificent water-way and it is said, that it has to be equal and right up there as one of the best in the world for spectacular scenery, sailing and boating, with wonderful bays, hidden beaches,jetties and small villages along the way.
The Channel is such a great place to spend two or three relaxing days; exploring and browsing the art and craft shops and for the sports lover, there’s fishing, swimming, diving, golfing, bowling, boating, sailing and canoeing,
Lets not forget the food lovers who will love the many premier eating places around this magnificent waterway. We have all this and much much more in and around this stunning, but sometimes forgotten stretch of water and part of Tasmania, which has great historical significance to the European history of Tasmania.
Take a look at our links Page to see some of the attractions near by.
A stay of 2 or 3 days is a must if you want to take in the ambience and environment of this special place which extends from Taroona just out of Hobart, via the Sandy Bay Road, where one will find the historical shot tower, through villages like Margate, Snug and Kettering to wend your way eventually to Cygnet and thus to Huonville via some of the most spectacular and accessible seascapes in southern Tasmania.
The Channel Highway (B68) continues from the Shot Tower through to where you will see the historical fort and gun placements which have a commanding view of the entrance to the Derwent Estuary and of course the famous Iron Pot light.
Kingston has a beautiful 18 hole golf course and a multi purpose sports centre. Kingston is the areas largest commercial centre with shops like Big W, Cole's and Woolworth's.
For wonderful swimming beaches, a side visit to Kingston Beach and around to Blackman's Bay is a must and starts your journey looking over Storm Bay and down the Channel.
The Tinderbox marine reserve is a diving paradise, with a myriad of sea life and of course the graceful weedy see-sea horse.
Continuing from Tinderbox to Howden, we again join the B68 or Channel Highway, adjacent to another 18 hole golf course overlooking North West Bay. We pass "Inverawe Native Gardens,"an open Gardens and the Margate train and just a little further on is the Channel Lawn Bowls Club where every one is welcome. Margate is a thriving village and the Margate Train has craft shops, antique stores, and of course pancake and coffee.
The Brookfield Vineyard is another great place to pause for a glass of wine, lunch or coffee. There is also the local Hotel, Pear Ridge restaurant and other great places to wander around, but if a picnic in on the agenda, drive down to Dru Point Bicentennial Park for a Bar-B-Q under the trees.
Further south you come to the little town of Snug.Snug was devastated by the fires in 1967 with a great loss of life and property. It has a lovely beach for swimming and fishing off the rocks, along with a caravan park that is adjacent to the beach If you are fit enough and would like a bush walk, then a visit to the Snug falls or Pelverata falls is essential.
After leaving Snug another side trip to Conningham is where you will come across a magnificent little beach with its cute boat sheds and safe beach for swimming. A stroll along the track or the beach and you will see the beautiful sand stone rocks formations. Drive back over Old Station Rd, and drop down into lovely Oyster Cove, a beautiful, sheltered Cove ideal for fishing, boating and of course Photography. This is a historical Aboriginal site and an education centre has been built at the head of the cove and was once the home of Traguni.
Travel left into Manuka Rd towards Kettering and you will get some fantastic views of the Channel and Bruny Island.
Kettering is "the Gateway to Bruny Island." It has a marina for yachts and is a working fishing port. The Ferry to Bruny Island departs from here but stop for a drink at the hotel and see the great wood carvings around the car park which were done by one of the locals, or enjoy a coffee at the Mermaid café at the ferry terminal. Sea Kayaking is also based here at Kettering and this is where you catch your boat for the exciting Bruny Island venture tour, a must to do when in Tasmania.
Carry on down the Channel and you will come to Trial Bay,another great place for a barbeque and a cuppa. Trial Bay has a boat ramp public Bar-B-Q and toilets. Continue further on and over the hill you will see more outstanding views looking straight down the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and over to Bruny island. Apple orchards abound on the way to quaint Woodbridge, where you can wine and dine, over looking Peppermint Bay in the stunning new Peppermint Bay hotel.
Why not go down to the jetty and catch your own tea, it also is a great fishing spot for locals.
Further down the Channel call into the cheese factory, where the cheese is made of sheep milk; buy some to take home. Another must do is a call in at Fleurtys Café and Essential oils; they serve afternoon teas to die for. Just past Flowerpot and on to Middleton another quaint little place is Gordon. You can fish off the jetty and see the monument for "Rear-Admiral Bruny D’Entrecasteaux;" incidentally, a camping site has been established on the foreshore and public toilets are near the jetty.
Further on you will come to a sign for Nine Point Marine Reserve; hop out and stretch your legs and walk down to the water and see where the mighty Huon River joins the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Further on you come to Verona Sands with its lovely white sandy beaches, a great place to swim and fish.
Finish you trip by calling into Cygnet and enjoy an afternoon tea at one of the many coffee shops or maybe a tipple at one of the 3 hotels.