First look: New Bruny Island Cruises visitors centre and restaurant opens

UPDATED: THIRTY-odd years ago, a young Will Hodgman would buy his fish and chips from a young Rob Pennicott: even then a man who made a living from the sea.

UPDATED: THIRTY-odd years ago, a young Will Hodgman would buy his fish and chips from a young Rob Pennicott: even then a man who made a living from the sea.

The pair recalled their youthful acquaintance on Thursday as Mr Hodgman — now the Tasmanian Premier — officially opened a $7.5 million state-of-the-art visitor centre and restaurant for Mr Pennicott, who is now one of the state’s top tourism operators.

Dressed in his shorts and battered Blundstone boots, Mr Pennicott told a crowd of local worthies, tourism operators and Bruny Island locals that, on reflection, he had indeed come a long way.

“I wouldn’t have dreamt this would have occurred 20 years ago and to be here now is quite incredible,” he said.

“I’ve just grown organically and I grow year to year organically without too much planning.”

Mr Pennicott’s cruises — especially those off Bruny Island — are a top local attraction, which have garnered 12 Australian Tourism Awards and 26 Tasmanian Tourism Awards.

He said he hoped the new centre would appeal to visitors and locals alike.

The new Bruny Island Cruises visitors centre and restaurant. Picture: DAVID KILLICK

After seeing through the development, Mr Pennicott said his next ambition was expansion into the Victorian market. That and perfecting an old favourite.

“I’m aiming for best fish and chips of the world,” he said of his plans for the new restaurant.

The development includes a restaurant and seating for more than 300 people.

The building is powered by solar panels and batteries, has its own water supply, deals with sewerage onsite and boasts 14,500 plants to help offset its carbon emissions.

Mr Hodgman said Mr Pennicott was one of the state’s best tourism operators and the centre was a great addition to the island.

“It’s a sign of the times, I think, that a development of this scale is environmentally sensitive but also captures the essence of Bruny Island,” he said.

“Somebody who is so closely connected to this island like Rob Pennicott will deliver another wonderful offering for the people who visit here and the people who live here.

“It’s a great sign of confidence, it’s a great sign of growth on this island which of course we need to manage well.”

Kye Salkeld is studying journalism at UTAS

EARLIER: MULTI-AWARD-WINNING tourism operator Rob Pennicott has opened his new visitor centre on Bruny Island in front of an audience of VIPs, tourism operators and local operators.

The $7.5 million centre, located at Adventure Bay, includes a restaurant and seating for more than 300 people.

Speaking after the official launch by Premier Will Hodgman, Mr Pennicott said he needed to build the centre because of continuing strong growth.

“I wouldn’t have dreamt that this would have occurred 12 years ago and to be here now is quite incredible,” he said.

Mr Hodgman said Mr Pennicott was one of the state’s best tourism operators and the centre was a great addition to the island.

Rob Pennicott at the new Bruny Island Cruises visitors centre and restaurant. Picture: DAVID KILLICK

“Somebody who is so closely connected to the island like Rob Pennicott will deliver a wonderful offering for the people who visit here and live here,” he said.

The visitor centre and restaurant will employ 10 full-time staff and is self sufficient for energy, water and sewage treatment.