Bruny Island Day Trip From Hobart: Best Things To Do, Is It Worth Visiting and more
ARE YOU PLANNING A DAY TRIP TO BRUNY ISLAND FROM HOBART?
We have been to Tasmania twice already (recently, a month ago and a couple years ago as students on budget) and our day trip to Bruny Island has undoubtedly been the highlight of both the trips.
Experience Australia’s tallest sea cliffs, jump on one of the best wilderness cruises in the world, search for the rare white wallabies, and indulge in local delights like artisan cheeses, fresh oysters and bread from a mysterious fridge on the roadside (yes, really) on this stunning island of an island of an island!
DAY TOURS FROM HOBART
If you’re not renting a car in Tasmania, check out one of these tours:
– Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise Day Tour
– Bruny Island Day Tour with Gourmet Experiences!
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If you’d rather self-drive (like we did this time), we’ve got you covered with the best things to do on Bruny Island:
Ferry to Bruny Island from Hobart
7.10 AM : From Hobart, drive around 40 minutes south along the scenic Channel Highway to catch the SeaLink Bruny Island ferry from Kettering. Once you reach, you could grab a coffee at the Gateway Café at Kettering while queuing for the 20-minute ride to the island’s main hub, Robert Point.
The ferry runs approx. 20 times a day 365 days a year. The morning slots can get busy during high season so it’s best to pre-purchase your tickets. However, we got ours on arrival – so that’s an option too. A car less than 6 meters costs $53 for a regular open return ticket. You have to pay per vehicle i.e. passengers travel for ‘free’.
We stood at the barrier of the ferry most of the ride and found an upstairs seating area which made the journey more fun. Don’t hesitate to step out of your car and get a sneak peek of Bruny Island’s pristine coastline on the way.
The Neck Game Reserve and Truganini Lookout
8.45 AM: We started our day at the Neck Lookout, an iconic viewpoint like no other. You will see spectacular 360 degree views of the island’s dual coastline with North and South Bruny connected by a stunning narrow isthmus.
You’ll see a large off-road carpark at the base of the stairs, where you can park for free and since you’ve got here early, you’ll likely miss the tour bus crowds too. The climb to the lookout might look daunting, but it takes less than 10 minutes and is totally worth it!
At the lookout, there is a memorial dedicated to the Aboriginal woman, Truganini and to the Nuenonne people, the original habitants of the island. Take a moment to read about them and know more about the history of the region.
In the warmer months, people have also spotted Fairy Penguins (the smallest penguins in the world!) at the lookout below – typically at dusk and dawn.
Morning Snack at Bruny Island Baker
10 AM: Feeling peckish? Head towards Bruny Island Baker’s ‘Bread Fridge’ on Sheepwash Road towards a pair of rusted retro Kelvinators. This charming roadside stop is known for its fresh sourdough bread, which is stocked daily in an honesty-box system.
We just stopped by to check it out too! Every morning John Bullock bakes fresh biscuits and bread, wraps them in white paper, and keeps it in the ‘fridge’. Grab a loaf or treat yourself to one of their warm baked delights as you enjoy this novel experience.
If that didn’t fascinate you, another very unique Bruny Island experience is spotting the rare and elusive white wallabies in Adventure Bay.
TIP: White Albino Wallabies Spotting
The white wallabies are most active during dusk/dawn but you can try your luck in Adventure Bay near Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre and Lockleys Road.
Midday Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise
10.45 AM: One of our favourite experiences of the trip was the 3 hour Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise (operated by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys) where you can see some of the highest sea cliffs in Australia, enter deep sea caves, and get a chance to see wildlife such as dolphins, migrating whales, sea birds and the cutest fur-seals. See our reel for some visuals!
Bruny Island Cruise Booking Options
– Bruny Wilderness Cruise (from Adventure Bay)
– Tasman Island Cruises Full Day Tour from Hobart (incl. pick up and lunch)
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The guides are funny, friendly and super knowledgeable about the landscape and wildlife. We recommend wearing layers for the cold and sitting on the right side of Robert Pennicott’s iconic yellow boats to be closest to the iconic spots in the first half of the tour.
TIP:
If you typically get seasick, try eating much earlier in the day and ask the guides for the most suitable seats to sit at. You could also call a few days in advance to get a weather report and reschedule if needed.
If you want to grab lunch right after (like we did!), they have an on-site beachfront restaurant with local produce and premium Tasmanian seafood seduction! OR you can head straight to the Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co next.
Lunch at Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co.
2.45 PM: Once you’re worked up your appetite, head back to the North Island to grab a well-deserved (late) lunch at Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Co. This iconic spot offers a $12 beer paddle, $5 cheese flight, delicious wood fired pizzas and some local wine!
We sat in the shaded outdoor area and sampled the oozing “Saint” cheese and the herb-y “Nanna’s Undies” (which was really good!) but you can even try the Rom Tom that won the Trophy for Best Australian Cheese!
Evening of Local Foodie Delights
3.30 PM: Alternatively, if you love oysters, head to Get Shucked to indulge in some of the finest oysters in Australia. You can also check out Bruny Island Chocolate Co to try handmade fudge made on the property or Bruny Island Honey to see bees hard at work and try pure Tasmanian Honey!
These are covered in the Bruny Island Gourmet experience tour as well!
Return to Roberts Point Ferry Terminal
6 PM: That’s it friends! It’s time to head back to Hobart. Check the SeaLink Bruny Island Ferry schedule to plan your return and don’t forget to step out of the car for one final look at Bruny Island!
If you’re here during summer, consider extending your day with either of these activities:
- Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour – second oldest lighthouse in Australia
- Cape Queen Elizabeth Track to Mars Bluff – 40 min flat bushland trail to see the stunning natural rock arch.
Visiting Bruny Island: FAQs
Now that you feel confident about how to spend a perfect day in Bruny Island, let’s jump into some common questions.
1. What’s the weather like in Bruny Island?
Bruny gets quite cold and windy, making it a popular summer holiday destination in Australia – we highly recommend visiting during this time! July is the coldest month with winter temperatures ~10°C and some businesses might be closed around this time.
But Tasmania is the perfect winter wonderland for those keen to visit in the colder season too!
2. Bruny Island Accommodation – can you stay overnight?
You can experience Bruny Island’s highlights in a day. But if you have more than 5 days in Tasmania, I highly recommend staying overnight to explore the island. Here are some great accommodation options:
📍 Adventure Bay Retreat Bruny Island
📍 Bruny Island Escapes
Or you can sleep under the southern stars by camping at these beautiful spots:
📍Luxury yurt glamping at Littlegrove
📍The Pines Campground (Free camping spot!)
3. Is Bruny Island worth visiting?
I hope you are convinced that a trip to Bruny Island is absolutely worth it and will be one of the highlights of your Tasmanian adventure! You can DM us on Instagram if you have any questions.
The Wrap-Up: Day Trip to Bruny Island
There is something for everyone in Bruny Island and the variety makes it the perfect day trip from Hobart for locals and tourists alike!
Now that you know the perfect Bruny Island itinerary, it’s time to finish planning your trip, book your stay in Hobart, and enjoy your holiday on one of the most beautiful islands in the world!
Keen to plan a weekend trip near Sydney? Check out the best things to do in Port Stephens to plan the ultimate getaway from Sydney.
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