An UNMISSABLE Bruny Island Tour From Hobart: The Complete Experience + Tips!
SEARCHING FOR THE BEST BRUNY ISLAND TOUR FROM HOBART? LOOK NO FURTHER!
I’ve been to Tasmania three times already, but on my most recent visit, I finally took a day trip to Bruny Island from Hobart, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip!
Bruny Island is the top destination for travelers coming to the eastern part of Australia. While visiting, I loved the Pennicot’s Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise, which takes you alongside Australia’s highest sea cliffs, gliding past dozens of seals & if you are lucky, even dolphins!
If you’re looking to explore this stunning island off an island off an island (Bruny is part of Tasmania, which is part of Australia, which is… you get the idea!) without needing a car, I highly recommend booking a tour.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through our experience, what to expect on the tour, why it’s worth it, what to bring, and tips to make the most of your Bruny Island day tour!
I booked the Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. From cruising alongside some of Australia’s tallest sea cliffs to witnessing the Breathing Rock, watching dolphins, and drifting past a massive seal colony, it was an unforgettable experience in Tasmania!
The Beautiful Bruny Island
Bruny Island is a beautiful, green island located at the mouth of the River Derwent! It consists of two land masses, North and South Bruny, connected by a long, sandy isthmus called The Neck!
The island’s local produce is as heavenly as its beaches, cliffs, and wildlife. Bruny’s producers are known for crafting some of Tasmania’s best oysters, cheese, honey, whisky, and chocolate, and it has a diverse ecosystem with native wildlife and an indigenous history!
I always recommend using Hobart as your base in Tasmania if you want to go on day trips, as it has some of the most affordable accommodations!
What Our Experience Looked Like: The Best Bruny Island Tour from Hobart
Here’s the complete itinerary and everything you can expect if you are taking the Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise!
🟢7.45 AM, REACHING THE MEETUP POINT
If you are exploring Hobart without a car, a taxi from the CBD to the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre is easily accessible. If not, then put “Franklin Wharf” on the maps and drive to the Hobart waterfront area and meet other travelers at the Booking Centre located here.
TIP
You won’t find parking at the booking center, but there’s day parking available at Evans Street Car Park & the Market Place Car Park.
🟢9 AM, TAKING A FERRY RIDE
After a 90-minute drive from Hobart, you’ll arrive at the SeaLink ferry terminal in Kettering — your gateway to Bruny Island! The SeaLink ferry is the quickest and most reliable way to reach the island. And although your transport is fully taken care of on this tour, it’s handy to know that they depart every 20 minutes from Kettering!
🟢10.30 AM, REACHING ADVENTURE BAY
The ferry drops you off at Adventure Bay, one of Bruny Island’s most beautiful and historically rich destinations. It was here that British explorer Tobias Furneaux first anchored in Tasmania back in 1773 aboard his ship The Adventure. The bay’s crystal-clear waters and pristine shoreline make it a great first stop.
Once you arrive, you’ll be welcomed at the Bruny Island Cruises Restaurant with your choice of a warm tea or coffee (or a chilled drink, if that’s more your style) and a blueberry muffin. Depending on your schedule for the day, your guide may also take you to The Neck Lookout, one of the most iconic viewpoints on the island.!
🟢11 AM, A WARM INTRODUCTION!
Now, the real adventure begins! Depending on where other guests are joining from (the tour offers various departure points: Hobart, Kettering, and Adventure Bay), your group may grow a bit here.
You’ll meet your local guide, who will give a warm introduction to Bruny Island’s natural wonders, some handy weather insights, and what to expect during your 3-hour wilderness cruise.
If you tend to get motion sick, I’d recommend speaking with your guide. They’re friendly and approachable, and they can offer advice, provide medication, or recommend a seating area to help you feel more comfortable.
🟢OUR BRUNY ISLAND CRUISE EXPERIENCE
We all wore our orange waterproof overalls and jumped on the cruise! (A boat carries at most 43 passengers). If you’re booking this tour, I definitely recommend sitting on the right-hand side of the boat. The scenery was especially impressive on that side throughout the cruise. 🌊
The ride maneuvers pretty fast through the sea, gliding by some of Australia’s tallest cliffs, beneath the towering crags! The views look so different as you get up close to them!
GOOD TO KNOW
The ride has a lot of motion, so don’t really expect a slow ride even though it’s a three-hour-long one.
Seals are the easiest to spot as they generally stay in one place. They stop the ride as soon as they reach the Friars and explain a bit about these gentle sea creatures!
It was an unreal view! Almost 95% of them are males, and all they do is sleep during the day and feed on squids and fish during the night. The views were stunning. However, it does smell a bit, but that’s negotiable!
There is always someone standing at the front of the boat hoping for dolphins! Thankfully, we spotted them, not just a few but a pod of them! They were dancing through the waves, it was a special moment, but that’s an understatement.
You may also spot Albatrosses, and if you do, consider yourself lucky as they mostly breed in New Zealand! Also, keep a close lookout for sea eagles, they soar in the blue skies above you!
TIP!
It gets freezing cold out on the cruise, so we recommend bringing a beanie and gloves along with you! Moreover, wear multiple layers of clothing to help with the weather.
🟢2.00 PM, LUNCHTIME!
The cruise concludes at around 2 pm after a stunning session of wildlife watching and gliding in the water! You are all set to have your lunch at the Bruny Cruises Restaurant! Enjoy premium fish & chips, or savor a homemade pumpkin soup and a gourmet ham salad roll! Don’t worry about your food choices: Gluten-free & vegetarian options can be chosen.
🟢3.00 PM, DEPARTURE!
It’s time for departure! You will have the same journey back to Hobart as coming here. Expect to arrive by 5.30 pm!
An Alternative Bruny Island Food Tour From Hobart
If you tend to get sea-sick, the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Bruny Island tour might not be ideal. But, there is another Bruny Island Food Traveler tour which is just perfect for a foodie (like me)!
In this full-day Bruny Island food tour, you’ll visit a handpicked selection of local producers, tasting everything from freshly shucked oysters at Get Shucked to artisan cheeses at Bruny Island Cheese Company, paired perfectly with craft beer in an exclusive tasting experience.
offering freshly baked sourdough for passers-by.
The tour also includes sweet stops like Bruny Island Honey and the Bruny Island Chocolate Company, where you can sample handmade fudge and locally harvested honey that captures the island’s unique terroir.
Bruny Island Tours or Self-Paced Guide?
Exploring Hobart and major parts of Tasmania are fairly easy, but it is different with Bruny Island. There are only a few ways to get around once you hop off the ferry. There is no public transport on the island!
If you’re not planning to rent a car (or simply want to skip the hassle of navigating winding roads and ferry schedules), joining a guided tour is hands-down the easiest and most stress-free way to explore Bruny, especially if it’s your first time visiting.
GOOD TO KNOW
There are no major highways in Bruny Island.
Is a Day Trip to Bruny Island Worth it?
If you’re in Tasmania and have even one free day, a Bruny Island day trip is one of the most rewarding ways to spend it. You’ll experience its wild beauty, coastal serenity, and local flavours!
While day tripping is the easiest and best way to explore the place, Bruny deserves more time if you can spare it. There’s so much to see, and overnight stays mean slower mornings, more hikes, and stargazing without city lights.
If you’re short on time or don’t want the hassle of ferry schedules and gravel road navigation, a guided day tour is a total win. It’s stress-free, covers all the essentials, and lets you just sit back and soak it all in (especially helpful for families or first-time visitors).
FAQs: Bruny Island Tour from Hobart
We have covered some frequently asked questions about Bruny Island tours from Hobart and Bruny Island in general, below!
1. Can you do Bruny Island Without a Tour?
While you can self-drive and explore Bruny Island, there is no public transport or taxi service available there. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to explore Bruny Island with a tour having expert guides if it’s your first time.
2. How Many Days Do You Need to See Bruny Island?
We would say 3-4 days to explore all of it! But, if you have only one day, that’s not a problem too.
3. What Time Do The Penguins Come in at Bruny Island?
Usually at the time of sunset, one hour before the time, during September- February!
4. Why is Bruny Island Famous?
Bruny Island is also home to stunning landscapes, wildlife, high-quality local produce, artisan cheeses, chocolates, oysters, and outdoor adventures!
The Wrap-Up: Bruny Island Tours From Hobart
We hope we have convinced you to explore Bruny Island. It was an unforgettable experience for us! We often look back at the pictures and think of planning another day trip to Bruny Island, but this time for a longer stay!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us on our Instagram!
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