Bruny Island History

Above is an image of the Bligh Museum at Adventure Bay

First discovered by Abel Tasman and later visited by Furneaux, Cook, Bruni d'Entrecasteaux, Bass, Flinders and Bligh, Bruny Island lies to the south of Hobart, Tasmania and is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by the d'Entrecasteaux Channel or simply, "The Channel", which provides a large, sheltered, waterway some 60 kms long with many bays, islands and inlets to explore and fish. 

In the past, the timber industry was predominant with many huge trees being milled and exported from Bruny Island to both mainland Australia and Europe.  Later, there was a sandstone quarry which exported its products mainly to Victoria.  Melbourne GPO and several other public buildings were in fact built from Bruny 'freestone'.  Agriculture has always been important and the original settlers had to be quite self-sufficient until more recent times and the advent of the ferry service which replaced the old 'Channel Boats'.  The first apple trees in Australia were planted in Adventure Bay by Captain Bligh (of the Mutiny on the Bounty fame) and for many years the fruit and orchard industries were employing many of the locals.  Fishing too has always been a local activity with wonderful scallops, oysters, mussels, abalone and crayfish in abundance together with a large variety of scale-fish. Eco Tourism is now becoming a feature of the island's activities with bird watching tours and exciting sea trips with Bruny Island Charters.

Today, very little of the old industries now remain and although there are still huge tracts of State Forest and National Parks, there are only two small sawmills in operation.  Farming too, has diminished, although many of the inhabitants still have a few sheep and cows.  Aquaculture, particularly with oysters, mussels and Atlantic salmon, has been steadily growing and 'ocean fresh produce' may be obtained locally.

To the left is an image of the 'History Room' which is open to the public most days and manned by some very knowledgeable volunteers.  The centre is located in Alonnah, next door to the police station and medical centre.  If you are interested in history, this centre is well worth a visit.  Allow more time than you think!