Weekend Australian article about INALA...

White wallabies and whale watching in bed? Tasmania's Bruny Island has the lot, writes James Jeffrey.

Sun Herald article about INALA...

The magic isle by Michael Gebicki

"What a find! INALA, situated on one of Australia's lesser-known islands (Bruny Island), is a haven of tranquillity, a sanctuary for many of Tasmania's endemic birds, and a central base from which to explore this wonderfully scenic area. There is something for everyone here: historian, bird-watcher, bush-walker, naturalist, orchidist, fisherman, surfer, photographer, gourmet. Host, Dr. Tonia Cochran, will help personalise your stay, whether it be a one-day tour of Bruny Island by 4 wheel drive, or a week-long exploration of Tasmania.

We spent 3 glorious days on Bruny Island, based at INALA. Scenically, it is grand! Birdwise it is top quality. A few steps from the front door of the cottage and we were amongst a stand of white gums, home of the Forty-spotted pardalote. We viewed numerous of these birds on several occasions.

A walk over the property was most rewarding. Olive and Golden whistlers, Tasmanian thornbills, Black-headed, Strong-billed and Yellow-throated honeyeaters were but a few of the quality birds to be seen. A walk in two patches of rainforest resulted in seeing a pair of Pink robins nesting, and, after several tries, Tasmanian Scrub-tit. Swift parrots were sighted as they busily fed on Tasmanian Blue-gum. Yellow wattlebirds often joined them! A White goshawk patrols the property and delighted us with his flight as we had our breakfast. The weather was perfect and the expertise and organisational skills of Tonia made this a memorable visit."

"I heard about INALA from my birdwatching travel agent (from Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Although he hadn't been there himself, he had heard great things about INALA from several birdwatchers who had. We were not disappointed. INALA boasts the presence of all 12 of the Tasmanian endemics, and trails through the property allow ample opportunity for birdwatching or other wildlife or botanical pursuits. Accommodation consists of a well-equipped 3 bedroom cottage (including laundry facilities and an eclectic library) in a peaceful setting for a relaxing and rewarding stay. The food was excellent! Tonia is very personable and knowledgeable regarding Australian (as well as sub-Antarctic and Antarctic) flora and fauna and offers personalised tours of Bruny Island, Hobart and environs. Guests should feel free to make their wishes known as she will do her best to accommodate them."

"Our first impression (of Bruny Island) is that it must be a really beautiful place. This impression was right, for on our tour we discovered such a lot, and our guide, Dr. Tonia Cochran, told us about the flora and fauna and history of the island. We found that our guide had an excellent knowledge about all, and that she makes her tours with passion. We were really very surprised about her so kind character and her way to explain to us what we were seeing. Our physical well-being was also (catered for), with nicely-prepared and excellent food. On arrival at INALA, our accommodation, at once we were very enthusiastic about the idyllic situation amidst pasture and bushland.

The peaceful atmosphere was still emphasized by a creek that meanders around the house and by the grazing cows (on the pasture) and native fowls (the endemic Tasmanian native hen) running around the house. We felt us like at home, but with the special extra, the touch with the real nature. A very great adventure was for us the tour, which were planned and prepared and executed in the best way. And we wish really so much to come again to Bruny Island and INALA."

"INALA- A place of refuge in an intact nature with all facilities of modern life.

The owners are Tasmanian native hens and possums; people are only guests. The host, Tonia Cochran, is amiable, helpful and familiar with every tiny detail of the nature of Bruny Island. A unique and fantastic chance to be introduced by her to the wonderful world of birds, animals, plants and flowers. INALA and Bruny Island- magic words for both of us. It makes us think of big Eucalyptus trees, different bushes, heathland, waterplaces, rainforest. It makes us think of tree-ferns, grass trees, orchids, christmas-bells, banksias and the native pepper-bush, from which the Black currawong takes the upper berries, Tonia the lower ones.

We remember possums in the night, especially the white (albino) one on Tonia's roof, penguins and shearwaters. And it makes us think of all the little honey-eaters, firetails, robins and pardalotes- not to forget the nesting Brown goshawk and the Wedge-tailed eagle. It reminds us of Tonia's wonderful cows around our house, the native hen with her chickens, just the whole nature on one place INALA. And it makes us dream of a wonderful night under the southern sky, full of stars and the Southern Cross. INALA, where Tonia is a wonderful guide who can explain every little detail, who sees everything with her binocular eyes - JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN ON EARTH!

"I was one of a bus group that visited INALA recently (for a property tour). We were fortunate to have the opportunity to do so, and I wanted to thank you, both for the time you spent with us, and for creating the place in the first place. I'm sure the highlight was my friend and I sitting on a log, our lunches on our lap, watching the Forty-spotted pardalotes feeding low in the young Eucalyptus viminalis in front of us. We couldn't believe our luck! Thank-you for making it possible."

"Dear Tonia, It seems so long ago and far away that Barbara and I were discovering Tasmania and Bruny Island's magical specialness. Your homeland has captured my soul and someday will bring me back again. Continued success in preserving your wonderful place on our planet."

"There is no doubt the day and evening that we spent with you was one of the highlights of our holiday. Thank you so much. To give you some feedback, we felt that:

In conclusion our time with you was a highlight of our holiday where we learnt so much about the flora, fauna and history of Bruny Island and, as well, a lot about Tasmania.

Thank you so much. All our best wishes and thanks"

"We saw and learned so much and really felt that we had made the best of our short two days on the island. Thanks ever so much for going to so much trouble to try and make our trip memorable. You certainly succeeded. We really connected, and your impressive knowledge shed new light for us on the meaning of the word ecosystem, with all the interconnections between plants and birds and animals that you pointed out. All the best"

"I was interested in seeing the remote (for us) island of Tasmania, as well as the endemic species of birds on the island. Several folks directed us to INALA Nature Tours, run by Tonia Cochran, and located on Bruny Island, off the SE Tasman coast. It was an excellent decision - Tonia planned our entire Tassie/Aussie trip for us."

See also 2007 trips October-Australia for Bob's trip report.

"Tonia Cochran runs and owns INALA on South Bruny, Tasmania, and is available for hire as a bird or nature guide, or for general guiding. I hired her for one day to try to ensure that I saw all the Tasmanian endemics, and we cleaned up in about 6 hours apart from Black Currawong which is not easy in summer on Bruny (altitudinal migrant - easier on Bruny in winter). Most of the endemics I managed to see on my own as well, but Tonia got me my only Scrubtit, and also found some other excellent birds such as Brown Quail, Crescent and Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, Pink Robin, Beautiful Firetail, Olive Whistler etc. She provides 4WD transport and a cracking packed lunch, and is a really nice person and excellent birder"

"Bruny offers such a diverse variety of wilderness it lured biologist, Dr Tonia Cochran, from the mainland. She is so passionate about the island, she runs INALA Tours and Accommodation, raising funds for her relentless rehabilitation and conservation work."

See also INALA article