Bruny Island is a destination worthy of your time – not just a day trip. Catherine and her family stayed for multiple days and were rewarded with a slow pace, boundless nature, and a bounty of locally made food and drink.

 

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Nuenonne people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

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Quick Overview

Bruny Island covers 362km² and consists of two halves (creatively named North Bruny and South Bruny), linked by a 5km sandy isthmus called The Neck. The island is a haven for those keen to immerse themselves in nature while exploring both land and sea and is accessible by ferry from Kettering, 30km south of Hobart.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

About Bruny Island

Visitors are drawn to Bruny Island for spectacular coastal scenery, unique nature, and quality food and drink. Many people visit on an organised or self-guided day trip, but I recommend allowing at least three days to explore fully.

While most visitors head straight for Truganini Lookout at The Neck, plenty of less-crowded views can be admired from walking trails that criss-cross the island, with a concentration of tracks in the South Bruny National Park.

Bruny Island is a veritable treasure trove for animal lovers. Spy unique white Bennets wallabies, watch flocks of Short-tailed shearwaters, admire Little penguins waddling up the beach of an evening, and gawp at the seemingly unending number of grazing Tasmanian pademelon.

Bruny is flush with fresh oysters, cheeses, honey, beer, wine, and whiskey available from dedicated makers, almost all located on South Bruny. The island is also home to possibly the most unique bakery in Australia.

 

Bruny Island History

The Nuenonne people are the Traditional Owners of Bruny Island, which they refer to as Lunnawanna-Alonnah (these names are now used for two island settlements). They have lived on the island for over 40,000 years, although the population was significantly decimated by Europeans in the early 19th century. Mangana, who was a Nuenonne leader at this time, and his daughter Truganini, survived and their names are now given to island landmarks.

Abel Tasman was the first European to explore the area in 1642, and Captain Cook visited in 1777. In 1792 French explorer Bruni D’Entrecasteaux established that Bruny is an island, and both the island and its channel are named after him. Bruny has since been the site of whaling, logging, and mining. A quarantine facility has operated on North Bruny at times, even housing WWI German prisoners of war.

How to Get to Bruny Island

There’s only one way there and back: SeaLink Ferries that operate 365 days a year. Crossings take 15 minutes each way and are run on a queueing system in which travellers are boarded in the order they arrive at the dock. The ferry departs Kettering, around 40 minutes’ drive from Hobart, and arrives at Roberts Point on North Bruny, before going back the way it came.

There’s no public transport on Bruny Island. Travelling by bike is possible, but there are long distances between settlements and many roads are unsealed and bumpy.

Return car fares are from $55.80, and bicycle return fares are $7.70. Passenger fares are included in both prices.

 

Where to Stay on Bruny Island

Bruny Island is blessedly free of large hotel chains and resorts. Accommodation is varied, with the majority of options on South Bruny.

Where to Camp on Bruny Island

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service manage four campgrounds in the South Bruny National Park. No bookings are taken as sites are allocated on a first come, first served basis:

  • The Neck – fees apply. A sheltered camping area behind sand dunes with easy beach access
  • Jetty Beach – fees apply. Has a sheltered swimming spot, great for families
  • The Pines at Cloudy Bay – no fee. Ideal for surfers and keen walkers
  • Cloudy Corner at Cloudy Bay – fees apply. Access is via a 3km drive along the beach at low tide, so only suitable for 4WDs. Boats can be launched from the beach

All campgrounds have toilets, but you need to bring water and firewood. Self-registration boxes are at each site (cash payments only); card payments can be made at Jetty Beach campground. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace.

Additional campgrounds can be found at Camping at Bruny Island and Captain Cook Holiday Park.

 

Cabins and Houses on Bruny Island

Hotel Bruny – the only pub on the island – offers accommodation. Each room has a deck overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, and huge windows if the weather keeps you inside.

The Bruny Island website gives a run-down of options for cabins and houses – many are self check-in and are close to townships.

Where to Eat and Drink on Bruny Island

Where to Eat on Bruny Island

There are not a lot of places to eat around Bruny Island, so visitors staying more than a night would be wise to bring groceries from the mainland  (we rely on a daily coffee fix, so we brought it too!). That said, the quality of food on offer is top-notch and extremely popular, so be prepared to wait for tables during peak times (early afternoon can be quieter as the tour buses have moved on).

A drive along Bruny Island Main Road is like a trip to a gourmet supermarket. Get Shucked Oysters, Bruny Island Cheese Co. (with an in-house brewery), Bruny Island Honey, and Bruny Island Chocolate Company all tempted us to pull in. As with all country towns, the pub is a highlight and we easily wiled away a few hours at Hotel Bruny.

Perhaps the most fun way to eat is by tracking down the Bruny Baker’s three unmanned vintage fridges on the side of the road (at the corner of Sheepwash Road and Bruny Island Main Road). The fridges are stocked with warm sourdough and sweet treats periodically throughout the day, and payment is via an honesty cash box or online bank transfer. Don’t miss this one!

Where to Drink on Bruny Island

Bruny Island Premium Wines is Australia’s southernmost vineyard, with a range of red and white varieties. For those who like a stronger drop, Bruny Island House of Whiskey makes a range of whiskeys and gins and reportedly has the largest range of Tasmanian single malt whiskeys anywhere.

Nearby Accommodation

Pine Edge Heights – Tiny Away

 @ Pine Edge, 168 Risbys Rd, Ellendale TAS 7140
Book Now

Tiny Percival – Into The Wild Escapes

 @ Cloudy Bay Rd, South Bruny TAS 7150, Australia
Book Now

Things to Do on Bruny Island

Hiking on Bruny Island

Bruny Island is a hiking haven. Two of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks are on South Bruny. The Fluted Cape trail is a 5.4km walk with views over cliffs that soar as high as 270m, and the Labillardiere Peninsula Circuit covers 18km of varied terrain, from remote paths to sandy beaches. Both are Grade 4 walks, suited to those with bushwalking experience.

An easier hike is the Cape Queen Elizabeth track on North Bruny. Starting next to the Bruny Island airstrip, the 13km trail traverses bush and beach, with the iconic rock arch formation on Miles Beach a hit with photographers.

Hot tip! Time your arrival on the beach with low tide so you can explore the rocky formations easily.

Read more: How to Stay Safe at the Beach

Lookouts on Bruny Island

With stunning water scenery and so much greenery, it’s worth getting high (no, not like that) on Bruny Island to admire the views at The Neck lookout and the Cape Bruny Lighthouse.

 

 

It’s impossible to miss the car park on the left, halfway across the isthmus, on the drive from North to South Bruny – The Neck lookout is the one attraction everyone visits. We climbed 279 steps to the viewing platform, which houses a memorial to Truganini. This is a prime location for viewing the Aurora Australis at night too. It’s worth a squiz, but don’t spend all your time here, there’s plenty more to see that many day visitors skip.

We headed far south to Cape Bruny Lighthouse, where tours run regularly (book ahead on the website) which is the only way to access the spiral staircase to the top of the 114m tall lighthouse. Prepare to be whipped by wind as you step onto the balcony. It’s worth it for expansive views across South Bruny and the Tasman Sea beyond.

Penguins on Bruny Island

The boardwalk at The Neck lookout is the place to be on warm evenings (September to February is peak viewing time). Gather to watch Little penguins return after a long day of swimming. There’s no cost, and we generally found a place to perch without being too crowded.

See Bruny Island From a Fresh Angle

South Bruny is home to some of the highest sea cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere. To get up close and personal with this side of the island, board a Bruny Island Cruise with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. In addition to phenomenal rock formations, you’ll see plenty more wildlife! 

Essential Gear for Bruny Island

  • If you’re staying somewhere that requires drinking water, bring as much as possible from mainland Tasmania. Alternatively, bring a water filtration system. 
  • Warm clothing
  • Hiking boots
  • First aid kit
  • Good daypack – there are no amenities on walking trails, so bring adequate food, water, and a first aid kit 
  • A wetsuit 
  • Cash for campground payments 
  • Food to prepare most of your own meals as dining options are very limited (especially at night)
  • Sun protection gear 
  • Camera
  • Binoculars
  • Puncture repair kit 

What it’s Like to Visit Bruny Island

Despite large groups of day trippers visiting the island every day, my family and I didn’t find it hard to escape the crowds and find our own space. There are plenty of hikes and beaches to explore, many of which we had to ourselves for long periods of time.

At One with Nature

Visiting the island for a week, the rhythms of the island’s animals became part of our routine and time seemingly slowed. We awoke to sounds of birds, kept an eye out for the white Bennets wallabies while hiking, watched penguins arrive on the beach each evening, and slowed our car to a crawl at night to protect the wildlife. It felt as far removed from mainland Australia as we’ve experienced.

Slowing Down

One of the attractions of the island was the absence of restaurants, bars and indoor activities. There was no pressure to be anywhere other than the outdoors or tucked up with a book or board game. Typically keen to head out for a coffee each morning while holidaying, we ended up relishing the opportunity to down a homemade brew on our verandah while listening to birds.

Exploring on Foot

We really couldn’t go wrong when choosing a hiking trail. The scenery is stunning, we weren’t elbowing others out of the way, and we pretty much end up at a gorgeous beach or lookout every time. We grabbed a paper map and downloaded offline maps to help find the starting point of the trails as phone coverage isn’t guaranteed everywhere.

 

Tips For Visiting Bruny Island

  • Depending on your provider, mobile phone reception is patchy across the island
  • There’s no public transport on Bruny Island and attractions and services are spread out, so you’ll need your own wheels
  • There can be long queues for the ferry to depart the island, especially on weekends and holidays. If you’re planning to visit during peak periods, head to the ferry terminal at least a couple of hours before you hope to board the boat
  • Wildlife is active across the island, particularly at dawn, dusk, and overnight (sad roadside reminders are everywhere). If you’re driving at these times, be prepared to drop your speed considerably to protect our furry friends
  • The island is buffeted by winds year round, so be prepared to secure your belongings if camping (especially along the coast) and have warm clothing with you regardless of the season
  • Ensure you have a valid Parks Pass to access South Bruny Island National Park
  • Bushfire is a real threat in summer; make sure to subscribe to alerts and follow the advice of local authorities

Bruny Island FAQs

What is Bruny Island known for?

Bruny Island is famous for The Neck Lookout, a thin strip of land that connect North and South Bruny. It’s also famous for its array of locally made produce, including cheese, chocolate, and baked goods.

How much does it cost to go to Bruny Island?

To get to Bruny Island, visitors need to take a ferry from Kettering. A return car fare on the ferry starts at $55.80, and bicycle return fares are $7.70. Passenger fares are included in both prices.

How long is the ferry from Hobart to Bruny Island?

The ferry between Hobart and Bruny Island is 15 minutes each way.

Can I go to Bruny Island by car?

You can’t drive all the way to Bruny Island in your car, but you can take your car on the Bruny Island ferry with you so you have it to drive around the island at your leisure. The cost of a return car fare is $55.80.

There Are More Tassie Islands to Explore!

This piece was brought to you by a real living human who felt the wind in their hair and described their adventure in their own words. This is because we rate authenticity and the sharing of great experiences in the natural world – it’s all part of our ethos here at We Are Explorers. You can read more about it in our Editorial Standards.