30 Fun and Foodie Things to do on Bruny Island

Whether you are a foodie, or enjoy spectacular coastline and wildlife, there are lots of things to do on Bruny Island. Taste your way around the Bruny Island Food Trail, see if you can spot a Bruny Island white wallaby, or climb to the top of The Neck Lookout. For a different view, try a Bruny Island nature cruise and see the island’s dramatic coastal scenery and marine life from the water.

Featured Image: The Neck © Jess Bonde

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Things to do on Bruny Island
Kettering Harbour

Getting there

Bruny Island is 35 minutes south of Hobart along the Channel Highway. It’s an easy drive that takes you through Kingston and Snug to Kettering where you catch the ferry. The ferry takes about 20 minutes to make the crossing to Bruny Island.

If you have a bit of time on your way back from Bruny Island, Snug Beach is a lovely spot to stop for lunch, relax on the beach or check out Snug Waterfall.

We have more details about the Bruny Island Ferry at the end of this things to do on Bruny Island guide.

Bruny Island Tours

Bruny Island FAQ’s

How long?

How long do you need?

You can see a lot in one day but there are so many things to do on Bruny Island, and so much food to try it is worth spending a couple of days or longer if you have time. In 3 days, you could do a couple of great walks, eat a lot of food and see some great scenery.

Penguins

Can you see Penguins on Bruny Island?

This is one of the best things to do on Bruny Island. There is a viewing platform and signage near The Neck Lookout where you can see Little Penguins come ashore. They come in after dusk so dress warm, have a red light torch and be patient!

Best Time to Visit

Best time to visit Bruny Island

The weather can be a bit rugged in winter, but there are still plenty of food shops where you can shelter. For walking, enjoying the beaches and wildlife watching, September to May is a great time to explore Bruny Island.

National Park Pass

Do you need a National Park pass?

You do not need a national park pass to go to Bruny Island however you will need one if you want to look around South Bruny National Park.

Bruny Island for Families

Is Bruny Island good for families?

Bruny Island a great place to go exploring for families. You can still do some foodie stuff, kids will love Bruny Island Honey and Bruny Island Chocolates, the steps to the top of the Neck are great fun to scale and there are some beautiful beaches. If you really want to have some fun, go on the Wilderness Cruise, they will love the zippy rubber duck boat you go on.

Things to do on Bruny Island for Foodies

The Bruny Island Food Trail features a delicious range of gourmet food and locally brewed beer, wine and spirits. Along the way you will not only taste Bruny Island’s delicious produce, but you will also see some great coastline and local wildlife.

No sooner have you left the ferry, you come across the Bruny Island House of Whisky and their collection of Tasmanian single malts. After the distillery, you pass a series of taste bud tempters.

There is everything from berry farms, the Cheese and Beer company and Bruny Island Cider to a chocolate shop, a honey farm and the Get Shucked Oyster Bar. There are seafood cruises, restaurants and wineries too.

Tasmanian House of Whisky
Tasmanian House of Whisky © Adam Gibson

Bruny Island House of Whisky

If you like a single malt whiskey you can’t go past this amazing collection of Tasmanian single malts; there are over 150 to try! And try you can with a flight of selected whiskeys. Gin drinkers won’t be disappointed either, their Seclusion range is sure to please. The staff are passionate and the atmosphere with the water views is amazing.

Open 7 days, 9.00 to 5.00

Bruny Island Chocolate Company
Bruny Island Chocolate Company

Bruny Island Chocolate Company

Don’t be put off by the mixed revies on TripAdvisor, if you have a sweet tooth, there is plenty to like here. We dropped in and had some delicious truffles and fudge. The chocolates are all made onsite, and we found plenty here for the trip back across on the ferry. It is an unassuming shop near Adventure Bay.

Open 7 days, 10.00-4.00

Bruny Island Honey
Bruny Island Honey

Bruny Island Honey

There is a big range of locally produced honey to choose from here including their signature leatherwood variety. But it doesn’t stop at jars of honey. There is a range of honey related products from confectionary and books about honey and bee keeping, to honey infused lotions, lip balms and creams and Beeswax wraps. Needless to say, the shop smells wonderful!

Open daily, 9.00 – 4.00

Get Shucked Bruny Island Oysters
Get Shucked Bruny Island © Adam Gibson

Get Shucked Oysters

Sucking down an oyster is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if it is your idea of fun, here is your place. Cultivated in the pristine waters of Great Bay, you can enjoy their oysters – natural or cooked – while you sit outside and take in the beautiful views across the bay. There is a range of Tasmanian wines and ciders on offer to complete the experience.

Open daily, 9.30 – 4.30

Bruny Island Cheese
Bruny Island Cheese Co.

Bruny Island Cheese Company

Surrounded by bushland and views of Great Bay, the Bruny Island Cheese Company has a seasonal range of cheese, what you find here will depend on when you visit. You can also try pairing their cheese with the craft beer that is also brewed on site. The café is wonderful, relax with a platter or coffee or cake, it is a lovely spot. Open daily 10.00 – 4.00

Raspberry Farm
Fresh Raspberries

Bruny Island Raspberry Farm

If you like yummy raspberries stop in at the Bruny Island Raspberry Farm in Adventure Bay. You’ll find all things raspberry here from freshly picked fruit to jams and ice cream. There is a café with coffee and good pancakes. They are only open in berry season between November and April, check their Facebook page for exact opening and closure dates. It’s a nice spot for an afternoon tea.

The Bruny Baker © James Vodicka

The Bruny Baker

This isn’t your usual bakery. There are two old fridges in Alonnah on the corner of Bruny Island and Sheepwash Road that contain delicious sourdough loaves. Payment by honesty box or bank transfer, perfect for a picnic.

Glen Huon Dairy Co.
Glen Huon Dairy Co. © Tourism Australia

Glen Huon Dairy Co.

Glen Huon Dairy is the working Dairy Farm for the Bruny Island Cheese Co. Located in the Huon Valley at Glen Huon. The Farm Shop sells its cheese, beer, freshly baked bread, fresh bottled milk, condiments. You can book a farm tour to meet the farmer & animals. Open daily – 10am to 2pm

Bruny Island Premium Wines
Bruny Island Premium Wines © Adam Gibson

Bruny Island Premium Wines

Visit Australia’s most southern winery. The family run winery has award winning Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blancs and Rieslings. Don’t be in a hurry to leave, the lunch menu featuring Tasmanian produce is delicious with main courses, shared platters and a kid’s menu. Open daily from 11.00 for tastings and lunch, they’re also open Saturday evenings for dinner.

Bruny Island Hotel

If you want to kick back in a pub, check out the Hotel Bruny. Open 7 day from midday, they have a range of seafood and fantastic pub food – the servings are huge. You can also try a local Bruny Island cider. With water views, log fires, and a great atmosphere, the Hotel Bruny sums up why you will want to spend a night or two on Bruny Island; you could settle in here for hours!

More Bruny Island Attractions

While you could easily spend a day or two eating your way around Bruny Island, it is also a place of great natural beauty and history. So, if you like walks, beaches, wildlife and great coast scenery, here are some more non-food things to do on Bruny Island.

Cape-Bruny-Lighthouse
Cape Bruny Lighthouse © Tourism Tasmania & Rob-Burnett

Bruny Island Lighthouse

If you are a lighthouse enthusiast, the Cape Bruny lighthouse is one you will want to add to your list. Not only is it one of Australia’s oldest lighthouses, but it also holds the record for being continuously staffed.

The lighthouse is at the opposite end of the island to your arrival, the final part of the drive is on a dirt road but it is suitable for 2WDs. Regardless of your vehicle, take it easy. Even during the day, wallabies and kangaroos are right there on the roadside.

Volunteers live on site and run regular tours including a sunset tour. The 30 minute tours start from $20/person. You will see inside the lighthouse which has many of its original fittings. At the top there are 360 degree views across the island and Tasman Sea.

Things to do on Bruny Island

The Neck & Little Penguin Viewing

Still on impressive views, if you can manage the nearly 280 steps, one of the best views on the island is from The Neck Lookout. The Neck is the narrow finger of land that joins North and South Bruny Island. The view from the lookout across Adventure Bay and Simpson Bay are spectacular. At the top, there is also a memorial to Aboriginal woman Truganini.

There is a penguin rookery located about halfway along The Neck. From the lookout, if you are there around dusk, you can see Little Penguins returning to shore. As part of Neck Game Reserve, there are boardwalks located near the base of the staircase where you can view little penguins. It is also an important breeding area for short tail shearwaters.

  • Bruny Island Nature Tour – Walk to the spectacular Arch and rock formation on Miles Beach via Mars Bluff, Trugannini Lookout at The Neck. Visit Adventure Bay. Taste Chocolate, Honey, Cheese & Oysters
Bruny Island Wildlife Cruise

Bruny Island Wildlife Cruise

For a different view of the island, consider going on the Bruny Island cruise. The three hour cruise leaves from the southern end of Adventure Bay. Zippy, open air boats take you to towering cliffs, sea caves and islands.

One of the highlights of the trip is getting up close to the breathing blowhole. The sound of the air and spray of water blowing from the side of a cliff are a spectacular sight. When you are not stopped to take in the views, the boat weaves between rocky crags and islands at high speed – it’s a hoot!

Another feature of the tour are wildlife encounters. While there are no guarantees of what you will see, dolphins, seals and whales are often in the area. Sea eagles and albatross are also often sighted gliding overhead.

YouTube video
Adventure Bay Bruny Island
Adventure Bay

Bruny Island Beaches

If your idea of a good holiday is feeling some sand between your toes, you have some nice beach options on Bruny Island. In South Bruny National Park, Cloudy Bay and Jetty Beach are great options – there is a campground at Jetty Beach.

Adventure Bay is a wonderful family friendly beach. It is long, sheltered and a great spot for a relaxing beach walk or swim. The Neck Beach is stunning although it is prone to currents so keep an eye for them. You should also leave the beach before dusk to make way for the little penguins – you can watch them from the viewing platform.

Cemetery Beach and Daniels Bay on the west side of the Bruny Island near Lunawanna are nice, sheltered options. Miles Beach on the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track is a great choice for a secluded beach experience. On North Bruny Island, check out Nebraska beach. On a sunny day you won’t find a more beautiful spot to relax – it’s stunning.

The Neck
The Neck © Jason Charles Hill

Bruny Island Scenic Flights

If you are either pushed for time or just want to see Bruny Island from a different perspective, try a Bruny Island Scenic Flight. There are options for all budgets that let you get a birds eye view of The Neck, Adventure Bay and potentially on to South Bruny Island and the Bruny Island Lighthouse.

There are options to extend the trip to include kunanyi/Mount Wellington and the Southern Wilderness Area of Tasmania. Whatever you choose, you’ll get unforgettable views. The airstrip is right on the main road just before you get to The Neck from the ferry.

Ashdale Minature Farm
Rabbits © Ashdale Minature Farm
Ashdale Minature Farm
Minature Donkey © Ashdale Minature Farm

Ashdale Miniature Farm

A visit to Ashdale Miniature Farm is about the most adorable thing you can do on Bruny Island. Yes, it is a great family activity but even if you just like animals, you will be besotted by the super-cute miniature farm animals. We’re talking miniature cows – yes cows! – miniature goats and donkeys along with a host of other small furry farm friends.

You can go into the paddock and pat, brush, feed and cuddle the little cuties. They are open 10.00 – 4.00 Thursday to Monday and you can find them on Simpsons Bay Road just on the southern side of The Neck. Make sure your phone is charged and prepare for lots of cute animal selfies!

Bligh Museum
Bligh Museum © Tourism Tasmania & Nick Osborn

Bligh Museum

You never have to go far in Tasmania to find a fascinating piece of history or museum and that includes here on Bruny Island. For history buffs, the Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration in Adventure Bay will be on your to do list. The museum building is interesting, constructed in 1954 with bricks from the convict kiln in North Bruny Island, it was opened on the 200th anniversary of William Bligh’s birth.

Today the museum features documents, maps, artefacts and paintings relating to not only William Bligh but also other explorers who visited Adventure bay including Cook, Baudin, Flinders and Bruni d’Entrecasteaux.

The Bligh Museum is open daily from 10.00 – 5.00 from December to April and 10.00 – 4.00 May to November. There is a small admission fee, a few gold coins will see you through.

nala Jurassic Garden © B MoriratyI
Inala Jurassic Garden © B Moriraty

Inala Jurassic Garden & Nature Museum

The life’s work of botanist and zoologist Dr Tonia Cochran, Inala Jurassic Gardens has over 750 plant species that share the common theme of having links to Gondwana – an ancient supercontinent that existed tens of millions of years ago.

Jurassic Garden is a beautiful and accessible place to walk through. Everything is well labelled so there is plenty of information on hand, or you can just enjoy the many plants and the garden’s meandering design. Children will also love the fossils, giant dinosaur footprints, shells and gemstones on display. There is an interesting little giftshop to look through too.

The Jurassic Garden is open daily 9.00 – 5.00, admission gives you access to both the garden and nature museum. Guided tours of the garden are also available. You’ll find the Jurassic Garden on Cloudy Bay Road, 5 minutes from Lunawanna.

For another lovely garden, right across the road is the private Sprokkelwood Art Garden. The landscaped gardens are dotted with the sculptures created by the owners. It is a lovely spot, contact them through their website for a look through.

Bruny Island White Wallaby

White Wallabies

Another wildlife experience on Bruny Island is the white wallaby.

While it sounds like some sort of mythical marsupial possibly dreamt up after a big night at the Bruny Hotel, it is a real thing. Seeing one is must for any wildlife enthusiast. We weren’t confident we’d see one but as we walked up the jetty after our Bruny Island cruise, there it was.

Sitting in the backyard of a holiday shack, was the unmistakable shape of a wallaby, a bright white wallaby. We put the camera on full zoom and managed to take a terrible picture of it. As we lined up another shot, the shack owner appeared and kindly invited us up for a closer look.

Bruny Island Robin Red Breast

Birds of Bruny Island

Bruny Island is home to over 120 bird species including the endangered forty-spotted pardalote and the other 11 bird species endemic to Tasmania. Whether you are a casual bird spotter, wildlife photographer or dedicated twitcher, the varied habitats on Bruny Island mean there are lots of birds to see. Keep an eye out for the pretty Pink Robin, swift parrots and a huge variety of shore birds and birds of prey.

Inala Nature Tours run half day, full day and multiday bird watching and nature tours around Bruny Island.

Read More :  Best Wildlife Spotting in Tasmania

Cloudy Bay, South Bruny National Par
South Bruny National Park Cloudy Bay © Jess Bonde

South Bruny National Park

The sprawling South Bruny National Park shows off the wild side of the island. It stretches from one end of Adventure Bay, and along the southeast coast past Tasman Head and around to Cape Bruny and the Labillardiere Peninsula.

Along its coastline are towering sea cliffs and remote beaches, the pockets of land feature everything from exposed coastal heathland to rainforests. The park is rich in wildlife – especially birdlife. Some of Bruny Island’s best walks are also in the park including the Fluted Cape Track, East Cloudy Head Track and Labillardiere Peninsula Track – all mentioned below in the walks section.

The park is also home to the Bruny Island Lighthouse and has several campgrounds. It has some of Bruny Islands most rugged and beautiful landscapes and is a great place to explore. You do need a National Park Pass to enter the park.

Mars Bluff, Cape Queen Elizabeth Track
Mars Bluff, Cape Queen Elizabeth Track © Jess Bonde

Bruny Island Walks

Walking is one of the best ways to take in the natural beauty and wildlife on Bruny Island. Several beautiful walks start at Adventure Bay including the Mavista Nature Walk through the forest and the longer Fluted Cape Track which has great ocean views. For hikers, the 12km, 4 hour Cape Queen Elizabeth Track is Bruny Island’s best walk. It starts at the airstrip carpark.

If you are ticking off walks from Parks and Wildlife Tasmania’s 6o Great Short Walks list, there are three more here – the Labillardiere Peninsula Track, the Fluted Cape Track and the Grass Point Walk.

Here are the details of a few of Bruny Island’s best walks. Distances are from the National Parks website.

Mavista Nature Walk

Starts: Adventure Bay picnic area

Length, Time, Difficulty: 40 minutes return, Distance: 1.4 km, easy

Highlights: Short but beautiful walk through blackwood and stringybark rainforest on a well maintained track along Waterfall Creek. Great walk for birders, huge tree ferns and some beautiful forest-scented air.

East Cloudy Head Track

Start: Cloudy Bay Beach at the end of Cloudy Bay Beach Road in South Bruny National Park

Length, Time, Difficulty: 12km return, 4 hours, Difficult

Highlights: After walking the length of Cloud Bay beach you trek through windswept heathland and up to East Cloudy Head. The views are breathtaking, the birdlife abundant and you’ll likely get the track to yourself, it’s a great experience.

Grass Point Walk

Start: Carpark at East Cove in South Bruny National Park near south end of Adventure Bay

Length, Time Difficulty: 4km return, 1.5 hours, moderate

Highlights: This is the shorter version of the Fluted Cape Track. Hike to the whaling station ruins through beautiful forests with plenty of ocean views. Keep an eye out for white wallabies near the start of the walk, we spotted them around here.

Cape Queen Elizabeth Track

Start: There is a carpark near the end of the Bruny Island Airstrip.

Length, Time, Difficulty: 12 km return, 3-4 hours, easy

Highlights: One of Bruny’s best walks takes you through bird-rich woodlands, between Big and Little Lagoon, then along the coast past Mars Bluff and Miles Beach, The Neck and onto Cape Queen Elizabeth. The rock archway at Mars Bluff is an Insta favourite. The walk is a little shorter if you can time it with low tide.

Fluted Cape Track

Start: Carpark at East Cove in South Bruny National Park near the south end of Adventure Bay

Length, Time, Difficulty: 4km circuit, 2.5 hour circuit, starts easy and gets difficult

Highlights: Best walked in a clockwise direction, early in the walk look out for the ruins of the Grass Point whaling station. The demanding part of the walk is rewarded with spectacular views of the towering dolerite cliffs at Fluted Cape.

Labillardiere Peninsula

Start: Look for the carpark towards the end of Old Jetty Road in South Bruny National Park

Length, Time, Difficulty: Luggaboine Short Circuit 4km, 1.5 hours, moderate; Labillardiere Peninsula full Circuit 18km, 5.5 – 6.5 hours, difficult

Highlights: Whether you go for the short or long option, there is ever changing scenery over sometimes steep terrain. Beaches, forest, coastal heathland and panoramic views all feature along with plenty of birdlife. Best walked in a clockwise direction.

Dennes Point Heritage Trail – Kelly’s Point

When you roll off the ferry on Bruny Island it is easy to turn right and head for all the food and natural attractions in the south of the island. But don’t forget North Bruny. The Dennes Point Heritage trail is an easy 45 minute, 1.5km return walk to Kelly’s Point and back.

The Friends of North Bruny Island have done a great job with the interpretive signage that tells the story of the significance of North Bruny Island to Aboriginal people and their relationship with European settlers. The walk starts at the Jetty Café on the Bruny Island Main Road.

Campfire

Bruny Island Camping

There is plenty of accommodation on Bruny Island but if you like the outdoors, there are plenty of options for camping on Bruny Island too. South Bruny National Park has two campgrounds near Cloudy Bay – The Pines and Cloudy Corner. Cloudy Corner is only accessible by 4WD. There is another more sheltered campground at Jetty Beach and a campground behind the dunes at The Neck.

It is free camping at The Pines but small fees apply at the other sites – check the Parks Tasmania website for details. You can’t book sites at any of these campgrounds, they work on a first come, first serve basis. All campgrounds have drop toilets and except for The Pines, they have seasonal rainwater. The campgrounds are suitable for tents and camper trailers.

Bruny Island Car + Passenger Ferry
Bruny Island Car + Passenger Ferry

The Bruny Island Ferry

The final part of your trip to Bruny Island is by ferry that departs regularly from picturesque Kettering Harbour. Return fares start from $34 for a vehicle under 6 metres long and go up from there based on car/trailer length and the time of year. It is only a 20 minute trip, but there is still time to leave your car and enjoy the beautiful views across D’entrecasteaux Channel.

Bruny Island Passenger Fares

One of the nice things about the Bruny Island Ferry is that you don’t pay per passenger, you are only paying for your vehicle. So, if you are thinking of heading to Bruny Island with the family – good news – you won’t need to hide anyone in the boot!

Booking the Bruny Island Ferry

If you are going across to Bruny Island in a car less than 6m long and are paying a normal fare, you can book online, and your ticket is valid for one year. For all other fare types such as vehicles over 6m long or concession fares, you will need to purchase tickets from the booth at Kettering.

Bruny Island Ferry Timetable

The ferry service doesn’t just run multiple times a day, it runs multiple services an hour so even when it is busy will you get across sooner rather than later.

Adventure Bay Holiday Home

Seagrass on Sunset Bay

Bruny Island Accommodation

  • Adventure Bay Holiday Home – near new 2br luxury holiday home set on a private and spacious block looking through trees to Adventure Bay. Wake up to a wonderful sunrise, or relax on the deck
  • Bruny Island Lodge – rustic timber 5br chalet on the hill above Oyster Cove on Mickey’s Bay
  • Adina Tiny House – 5 minute drive from Alonnah. Stunning views in a natural environment. Set amongst the trees with an abundance of birdlife and wildlife , this is a 100% off grid experience
  • Omaroo Cottage – 2br Cottage in Alonnah, South Bruny Island. Panoramic views of the d’Entrecasteaux Channel

If you enjoyed this story you might also like:

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Things to do on Bruny Island
Things to do on Bruny Island
Things to do on Bruny Island
Things to do on Bruny Island
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