Our Great Adventure: Day 123 19/01/2015

We were in luck and the wind had dropped significantly. After breakfast we headed along the bay to where our three hour tour of the island's impressive coastline departs from. We headed to the jetty to board the RIBs and just as we thought we were going to get the back seats the next boat started to load and we got the two front seats (although Diane was slightly apprehensive at how rough it would be up front knowing she's not really one for fair ground rides!). After a light hearted safety briefing and donning full length water proof pouches (in a fetching red colour) we set off out of the bay in calm waters passing Penguin Island (although we didn't see any). As we headed round the island and out into the Tasman Sea the waves increased considerably in size and the roller coaster ride began. We sailed (well more like bounced!) along the shore line of the Bay of Islands stopping to see the towering sea cliffs, stacks, caves and blow holes with really interested commentary by the pilots. Heading around the Mangana Bluff we continued on past Boreel Head and out in to the Great Southern Ocean and it got really rough! We stopped close to The Friars, a group of islands off Tasman Head, the southern tip of Bruny Island, to watch the seals basking on the rocks. Too rough to do a trip round the islands we headed back north, further out to sea in the hope of seeing more wildlife. Within minutes we spotted an albatross but unfortunately the dolphins were no where to be seen. The ride back with the waves was certainly smoother and as we headed back in to the Tasman Sea the waters calmed. We were a bit wet and shaken by the time we got back but it was a fantastic trip and well worth the money. Back at our van we had a late lunch and then after an hour or so chilling out had a wander along the beach, walking barefoot in the surprisingly cool water, then stopping off for ice creams at the local shop. In the evening we made full use of the site amenities which included a bar-be-que hotplate and had dinner at the van before heading off to bed. The mountains beckon tomorrow!