www.nst.com While Tasmania is an island in one of the remotest parts of the world, there are even a few smaller islands surrounding the coastline of Australia's smallest state. One of them is Bruny Island and while it maybe physically small, it packs a big punch when it comes to remote adventure activities.

Championing the island's push into the world of nature-based tourism is Bruny Island Charters.

A sizable chunk of the island is protected as national parks like the South Bruny National Park. The 5,059ha park features a dramatic coastline, stunning scenery, sea cliffs, sandy beaches and peaceful walking trails.

While aborigines lived here for thousands of years (their descendants still do), Bruny Island was "discovered" by Europeans almost 370 years ago. Abel Tasman noted that the island with 300km of coastline consisted of two distinct landmasses connected by a narrow isthmus.

One of the best ways to discover the island's natural beauty is to head off on an eco journey with Bruny Island Charters. Your host on the three-hour trip will most likely be the owner Rob Pennicott who takes a no-nonsense but fun approach to explaining things in a way that all visitors can understand.

His crew has all been carefully selected as well and it's obvious that they enjoy heading out to sea everyday. Rob used to be a fisherman and there's not too much he doesn't understand about the often wild waters off Bruny Island.

As the two 42-seater boats head out of the tranquil waters of Adventure Bay, the crew members brief everyone on safety procedures and what's in store for the 50km, three-hour journey. While the delivery appears light-hearted, the crew is very professional in their approach and safety is paramount in waters where few boats venture.

The last signs of civilisation disappear as the boats pass Penguin Island. For the next three hours, it's you, the two boats and the wild waters of the Tasman Sea and the Southern Ocean.

As the boats turn south, the first chilly winds from the Southern Ocean made most passengers onboard to layer themselves with the additional warm clothing and wet weather gear that the boat carries.

Within minutes, vertical basalt cliffs loom to starboard and the second boat in our flotilla looks like a piece of flotsam rising up and down with the swell. They call it an eco tour as it's an encounter with nature. As the waves crash against the base of the cliffs, one realises just how insignificant we are against these mighty natural forces.

The boats edge closer to the rocks for a detailed inspection of various geological features such as blowholes, bluffs and sea caves that line the coast. The adventure really goes into overdrive as the boatman manoeuvres the vessel at full throttle through a narrow gap formed by a stack lying just off the cliff face.

It would be a shame to travel all the way to Bruny Island just for the natural encounter. Back on the land, there are several other attractions worth visiting including Bruny Island Cheese Company which is on the Main Road at Great Bay.

Nick Haddow is the cheese maker who brings with him the skills he has acquired in his travels to France, Italy, UK and Spain. His artisan-made products include the pungent "1972" matured in aromatic local Huon Pine.