Some places feed the body, some feed the soul — Bruny Island does both! On this island off an island, off another island, you can devour briny-fresh oysters and artisanal cheese, hike through dreamy beaches, go on quests for the ghostly-white wallabies and climb atop Australia's second oldest lighthouse for breathtaking panoramas — all in one day!
In this blog, we'll guide you to the top things to do on Bruny Island, how to get here, where to eat and more.
Getting Here
Unless you're cruising over on your own boat, ferry is the only way to get to Bruny Island. Bruny is conveniently located a 30-min ride away from the seaside town of Kettering in mainland Tasmania. We recommend booking a Bruny Island day tour from Hobart for a seamless experience — it’s the easiest way to see the island’s top highlights, minus the hassle of hiring a car.
North Bruny & South Bruny
Get ready to hear a lot of 'North Bruny' and 'South Bruny' because Bruny is actually two landmasses — North and South — linked by a narrow isthmus known as The Neck. It's home to the island's most iconic lookout point, Truganini Lookout, where you can snap that mandatory 'I made it to Bruny!’ pic for the ‘gram.
North Bruny is where you'll disembark the ferry from Kettering. Most local delights like shucked oysters, cheese, honey etc can be found here. Your Bruny Island adventure begins heading south and exploring as you drive. South Bruny is where the drama unfolds, with wild landscapes, the ‘Lighthouse' and enough natural beauty to blow up your social feed. South Bruny is where it's at for a great stay - Adventure Bay, Cloudy Bay and Alonnah have some of the island’s best accommodation options.
Adventure Bay
With a name like Adventure Bay, you know you’re in for something special. Named after Captain Tobias Furneaux’s ship Adventure, this bay has hosted legendary explorers like James Cook and William Bligh. These days, it’s more famous for its golden beaches, epic bushwalks and the rare white wallabies (they couldn't get cuter). The award-winning Bruny Island cruises offer an on-water perspective of the island's rugged beauty, making it one of the best Hobart water activities.
Cape Bruny & The Lighthouse
Only a 45-min drive away from The Neck at the tip of the island is Cape Bruny. Built in 1838, the historic lighthouse has seen it all — crazy weather, shipwrecks and more than a few breathtaking sunsets. The thunderous crashing of the Southern Ocean, towering cliffs and white sandy beaches, it almost feels like you've driven to the edge of Earth. Bonus tip: Visit during whale migration season and you might just spot some gentle giants swimming by.
Where to Eat on Bruny Island
Bruny Island might be small, but the food scene here is mighty. Here are some top places to fuel up:
Get Shucked Oysters – Not exaggerating, but people cross the seven seas and arrive at Bruny just to devour a plate of fresh oysters straight from the ocean. Pair them with a Tassie wine and thank us later.
Bruny Island Cheese Co. – Artisanal cheeses and craft beers in one place? This is the one.
Bruny Island Premium Wines – The southernmost vineyard in Australia, because wine always tastes better when you’re this far from civilization.
Hotel Bruny – Home to some of the best pub grub you’ll ever eat.
Some of these restaurants require booking and are open only a few days a week, so plan ahead!
Camping on Bruny Island
Want to truly disconnect? Camping on Bruny is the way to go. Here are the top spots to pitch a tent:
The Neck Campground – Beachfront camping with front-row seats to the sunrise and a VIP pass to the local penguin colony.
Jetty Beach Campground – Perfect for families. Sheltered water and lush surrounds for kayaking, fishing or doing absolutely nothing.
The Pines Cloudy Bay – Ideal for surfers or anyone who wants to get away from it all. And it's free!
Facilities are limited, so bring supplies and follow ‘Leave No Trace’ principles because Bruny’s beauty deserves to stay untouched.
Other Things To Know:
So, does Bruny sound like a place you wanna get familiar with? Yep, we thought so too! With the perfect mix of nature and gourmet delights, it’s no wonder why it's the crown jewel of Tasmania. Plan it right and you’ll see (and taste) the best of it. One visit here is never enough but if you’re low on time then, Bruny Island cruises are your best bet for value-packed day tours from Hobart with local and experienced guides. Bruny is waiting!
In this blog, we'll guide you to the top things to do on Bruny Island, how to get here, where to eat and more.
Getting Here
Unless you're cruising over on your own boat, ferry is the only way to get to Bruny Island. Bruny is conveniently located a 30-min ride away from the seaside town of Kettering in mainland Tasmania. We recommend booking a Bruny Island day tour from Hobart for a seamless experience — it’s the easiest way to see the island’s top highlights, minus the hassle of hiring a car.
North Bruny & South Bruny
Get ready to hear a lot of 'North Bruny' and 'South Bruny' because Bruny is actually two landmasses — North and South — linked by a narrow isthmus known as The Neck. It's home to the island's most iconic lookout point, Truganini Lookout, where you can snap that mandatory 'I made it to Bruny!’ pic for the ‘gram.
North Bruny is where you'll disembark the ferry from Kettering. Most local delights like shucked oysters, cheese, honey etc can be found here. Your Bruny Island adventure begins heading south and exploring as you drive. South Bruny is where the drama unfolds, with wild landscapes, the ‘Lighthouse' and enough natural beauty to blow up your social feed. South Bruny is where it's at for a great stay - Adventure Bay, Cloudy Bay and Alonnah have some of the island’s best accommodation options.
Adventure Bay
With a name like Adventure Bay, you know you’re in for something special. Named after Captain Tobias Furneaux’s ship Adventure, this bay has hosted legendary explorers like James Cook and William Bligh. These days, it’s more famous for its golden beaches, epic bushwalks and the rare white wallabies (they couldn't get cuter). The award-winning Bruny Island cruises offer an on-water perspective of the island's rugged beauty, making it one of the best Hobart water activities.
Cape Bruny & The Lighthouse
Only a 45-min drive away from The Neck at the tip of the island is Cape Bruny. Built in 1838, the historic lighthouse has seen it all — crazy weather, shipwrecks and more than a few breathtaking sunsets. The thunderous crashing of the Southern Ocean, towering cliffs and white sandy beaches, it almost feels like you've driven to the edge of Earth. Bonus tip: Visit during whale migration season and you might just spot some gentle giants swimming by.
Where to Eat on Bruny Island
Bruny Island might be small, but the food scene here is mighty. Here are some top places to fuel up:
Get Shucked Oysters – Not exaggerating, but people cross the seven seas and arrive at Bruny just to devour a plate of fresh oysters straight from the ocean. Pair them with a Tassie wine and thank us later.
Bruny Island Cheese Co. – Artisanal cheeses and craft beers in one place? This is the one.
Bruny Island Premium Wines – The southernmost vineyard in Australia, because wine always tastes better when you’re this far from civilization.
Hotel Bruny – Home to some of the best pub grub you’ll ever eat.
Some of these restaurants require booking and are open only a few days a week, so plan ahead!
Camping on Bruny Island
Want to truly disconnect? Camping on Bruny is the way to go. Here are the top spots to pitch a tent:
The Neck Campground – Beachfront camping with front-row seats to the sunrise and a VIP pass to the local penguin colony.
Jetty Beach Campground – Perfect for families. Sheltered water and lush surrounds for kayaking, fishing or doing absolutely nothing.
The Pines Cloudy Bay – Ideal for surfers or anyone who wants to get away from it all. And it's free!
Facilities are limited, so bring supplies and follow ‘Leave No Trace’ principles because Bruny’s beauty deserves to stay untouched.
Other Things To Know:
- If you’re planning to hire or bring a car, keep in mind that fuel supplies are limited on the island, so fill up before leaving the mainland. If you run low, there’s a general store at Adventure Bay that sells petrol
- Got extra time on hand? Check the other amazing hikes, such as Fluted Cape, Mt. Mangana and Grass Point
- Many small businesses close for winter break from June to August, so plan accordingly
- There are only a few general stores on Bruny Island, with limited stock. Bring everything you need from the mainland if you're planning on camping
So, does Bruny sound like a place you wanna get familiar with? Yep, we thought so too! With the perfect mix of nature and gourmet delights, it’s no wonder why it's the crown jewel of Tasmania. Plan it right and you’ll see (and taste) the best of it. One visit here is never enough but if you’re low on time then, Bruny Island cruises are your best bet for value-packed day tours from Hobart with local and experienced guides. Bruny is waiting!
