Those were the exact thoughts I had when I visited Bruny Island.
I moved to Tasmania with my family seven years ago. Minus a stunning family trip to Cradle Mountain, our first few years were chock-a-block full of the craziness of settling in and finding our feet in this beautiful place, and not much else. People told me about Bruny Island and I always noted it as one of my 'must-see' places, but I'd never made the venture over.
Finally, after seven years a Tasmanian, I am proud to say I've now visited this magical island three times in just a few months. And it has. my. heart.
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On my third and most recent trip over, Mum and I started the day picking grapes at Bruny Island Premium Wines with the local community for their annual picking day. It was so lovely to spend a couple of hours in the sunshine picking grapes and getting to know some of the locals. Afterwards, the owners of the winery put on an absolute feast and we all enjoyed some house made vino alongside a beautiful array of spit roast meats, salads and breads.
The next day we packed up our little cottage and set off for the ferry, but not before a pit stop at Bruny Island Cheese Co.
This place could not have a more relaxed atmosphere if it tried. The serenity that comes with sitting amongst the trees on a secluded wooden deck with wooden boxes for tables and chairs is worth every mile it takes to get down there. To the right there were loaves of bread being shovelled out of a wood fire oven, behind us was the cheese house itself where you could learn everything there is to know about their outstanding cheese and peruse their gorgeous range of Tasmanian produce, and everywhere else there were sky-high trees. I even spied a little bird's nest out the corner of my little eye.
Our little venture was short but definitely sweet, and we will definitely be back as soon as our busy lives allow. Because, unlike your favourite book or movie, returning to this place never gets old.
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