Bruny Island is made up of two islands connected by a narrow isthmus known as ‘The Neck’. There is the North Island and the South Island, the latter of which holds the stunning South Bruny National Park.

Highlights

  • Endless beaches
  • Stunning views
  • Camping & bushwalking
  • Landscape photography

Head Due South

The South Island with the National Park is more rugged and wild with mountains, plunging sea cliffs, wild beaches, hidden lagoons, coastal heathlands and rainforest. However, both islands offer spectacular scenery with lots of outdoor activities such as bushwalking, swimming and boating.

The ferry leaves from Kettering, a sleepy coastal town just 40 minutes south of Hobart.

Also Read:

• Best Camping Friendly Beaches in Tasmania
• Best Waterfalls in Tasmania

 

Seamus Faithfull bruny island tasmania

The Neck

The trip is over as soon as it has begun taking just 20 minutes to reach North Bruny Island. From here it was another 30 minutes driving south to reach The Neck.

This famous lookout boasts stunning views of the South Island and is a must-do for anyone visiting Bruny. During the summer months at dusk, you can watch from the boardwalks and viewing platforms as fairy penguins and shearwaters return from the sea for the night.

There are several campgrounds provided in South Bruny Island National Park as well as a range of private accommodation options.

The Neck Campground in the northerly most part of the South Bruny National Park is hard to beat with good facilities and an amazing location set back just 100m from the beach.

To The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse on Cape Bruny is one of the southernmost points of the Island and has amazing sea cliffs and coastal heathlands with an abundance of birdlife. Next to this is the stunning Lighthouse Bay a perfect place to kick back and skim stones whilst taking in the views of the amazing coastline.

The protected Cloudy Bay Lagoon is the perfect place to go kayaking or boating with pristine water surrounded by Eucalypt and pine forests. We paddled to where the lagoon joins Cloudy Bay and walked along the rugged coastline marvelling at the treacherous surf.

 

Seamus Faithfull bruny island tasmania

Essential Gear

  • Tents and cooking equipment
  • Head torch
  • Car
  • Swimmers
  • Food & water (the few shops have high prices on South Bruny with limited stock)
  • Optional: Camera, Kayak

How To Get There

Drive 40 minutes south from Hobart to Kettering, then jump on the Bruny Island Ferry from Kettering.

Activities

  • Bushwalking
  • Site seeing
  • Swimming
  • Photography
  • Wildlife watching
  • Kayaking
  • Cycling

Skill Level

The skill level varies depending on the walks you decide to do on Bruny Island. Most of the walks are accessible to able-bodied people, small children and large groups.

Distance Covered/ Elevation Gain

The two islands total 100km in length with a maximum height of 571m at the summit of Mt Mangana in South Bruny Island National Park.