The decision was made to visit all the specialist outlets which retail particular produce that has put Bruny Island on the map in the food industry, on our final day. Sunday.

Our first port of call was The Bruny Island Berry Farm. Public access across the plots where various berries grew was not possible so we walked around the perimeter. Unfortunately few were named;  strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and a few others we recognised. However many seemed foreign and we wished that the owners had installed labels or information boards to help us understand what we were seeing.  Fundamentally this was tiny café operation which wasn’t 100% focused on promoting berries so this stopover was a disappointment.Up the road, we entered the Bruny Island Chocolate Company outlet.  All manner of fudges were surrounded by marine related toys.  Very clean and clearly presented.  However, for some reason, the retail space was perfumed strongly with patchouli oil and it was too strong for me to wander around comfortably.

Bruny Island Honey provided a sweet stopover in every way. The building was well designed, light and bright, and the layout of the many honey varieties and options was easy to access and understand and use. The live bee display was instructive. The sales person had superb product knowledge, was friendly and especially helpful. My spirits were lifted here and I came away with a jar of amber coloured pure Bush Honey collected specifically from a point in North Bruny.  The bounty of nature in a bottle.   

 From Honey to Cheese – to Bruny Island Cheese &Beer Co where wheels of award winning artisan cheeses were resting row on row maturing in their own room. 

When we wandered down the native bush planted garden path, bread was being pulled from a wood fired oven and the delicious aroma wafted through the bushland setting – very enticing. Later I watched the baker making fruit buns (without the Easter cross) and learnt all their breads are made with sour dough. 

The café business, set in and around a classy rustic environment, was booming and an endless stream of people flowed through, purchased their breakfasts and brunches. 

The pizza brought to a nearby table looked particularly appetising.The chance to try a variety of beers was taken up by many visitors.We sat outside within a bush setting and sipped our tea (I don’t eat cheese; I was only there for the ambience).This was an attractive stopover and will be a place I want to visit on future trips to Bruny.

When we drove off from the Cheese Company our mouths were salivating at the prospect of oysters at our next stop. Get Shucked Oyster Farm and Oyster Bar is set beside the main road and opposite Great Bay where the oysters grow. 

I watched as a kitchen hand shucked oysters without chain gloves (they don’t let him ‘feel’ the oyster); he shucked without watching what he was doing while talking to me.  Impressive experience.The café offered a range of combinations of oysters with dressing and salsas and much more.From my point of view, nothing beats natural oysters and I have no idea why people want to adulterate their texture and flavour with additives.  We sat outside and gorged ourselves. Slippery heaven.  I recall on my 40^th birthday eating about four or five dozen in a Mackay seafood restaurant – they were foolish enough to offer as much as you could eat.  I don’t remember eating much else just loving those pearly oysters. I doubt the restaurant ever offered that opportunity again.

In the grounds of this property a variety of metal sculptures were displayed.

I look forward to returning for more oysters on my next visit.