Our Village
The village of Kettering is about 30 minutes drive south of Hobart. Click here for directions. Kettering has grown around the old fishing and ferry port on Little Oyster Cove. Surrounded by wooded hills the bay provides a safe haven and ready access to the D’Entrecastreaux Channel for a small local fishing fleet and a vast number of pleasure craft. As well as being the gateway to Bruny Island the village offers ready access to a wide range of local attractions making Kettering an ideal base for visitors planning to explore the Southern Edge Drives. The population includes families with several generations of history in the area, first generation residents who commute daily to Hobart, people whose principal source of income is local employment or enterprise and retirees attracted to the relaxed rural lifestyle. The community includes people from many different professional and trade backgrounds. Arts and culture thrive due to the efforts of, for example, the Kettering Concerts organization, which organizes 6 to 7 chamber music concerts per year.
The past 25 years has seen substantial growth in recreational boating in southern Tasmania. Satisfying growing demand for marine facilities Kettering has developed to become the premier access point to one of the world's finest waterways. There are around 250 moorings registered in Little Oyster Cove. The recently re-developed Oyster Cove Marina is designed for over 300 boats. The South Haven Marina accommodates 50 vessels. Other smaller jetties, some with floating pontoons take the total mooring capacity to over 600 boats. Lower costs and proximity to fabulous sailing grounds entice many mainland owners keep their boats here. Residents of Kettering, Oyster Cove and environs are fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful waterways and beautiful and varied bushland. A network of trails and tracks has been created by local volunteers in conjunction with Kingborough Council. The tracks, built for the enjoyment of the local community and visitors alike, wind through the bush and along the coastal reserve. For panoramic views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel toward Bruny Island, take the short 10-minute walk through she-oak trees to Kettering Point. The Manuka Hills Tracks, while more challenging, offer 360° views to Iron Pot in the north and Fluted Cape in the south. A beautiful, country village sports oval, home of the Kettering Mariners cricket club, lies in the centre of the village and slopes down to the waterfront and marina offering excellent views over Little Oyster Cove to the D'Entrecastreaux Channel. Adjacent to the oval are other recreational facilities including an excellent skateboard park, large community hall, barbeque area, children's playground, tennis courts, community garden and bush reserve.
The visitor information centre is adjacent to the Bruny Island Gateway Café in the Bruny Island Ferry Terminal in Ferry Road. Bookings for a wide range of local accommodation, tours and other attractions can be made here. The landmark Oyster Cove Inn, formerly residence of a wealthy Queensland grazier, dominates the eastern end of the bay and is an excellent place to enjoy the views and a sundowner. The Inn is just one of a number of accommodation options and places to eat in the village.
Come and visit soon.
