11 things not to miss on Bruny Island, Tasmania

11 things not to miss on Bruny Island, Tasmania

An inspirational guide designed to answer all your questions about things to do on Bruny Island. Discover 11 things not to miss on your next visit to Bruny Island, one of Tasmania's top island destinations.

Bruny Island is often recommended as a must-see for travelers coming to Tasmania. The truth is that this 362 square kilometer island embodies much of what Tasmania is all about. Here you will find abundant wildlife, breathtaking views, fantastic hiking trails and of course world-famous products.

In this guide, I want to help you plan your next island trip by highlighting 11 must-do things on Bruny Island, Tasmania. I've also included a short Bruny Island travel guide at the end of this post, covering things like how to get there, where to stay, the best time to visit and a few additional tips.

I hope my tips and photos inspire you to visit this incredible part of Australia!

Ultimate Tasmanian travel resource

I hope you enjoy this blog post. For more Tasmania travel and adventure inspiration, don’t miss my ultimate guides below.

– 62 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania – Where to Stay in Tasmania (Best Places) – 26 Amazing Waterfalls in Tasmania – 35 Must-Do Hikes in Tasmania

Best day trip to Bruny Island from Hobart

Travelers who don't have their own vehicle or would prefer to be shown around the beautiful island of Bruny by a local guide - you're in luck.

There are several tour operators offering organized day trips to Bruny. However, they are not all the same and the price varies dramatically.

After some research, the following trip from Bruny Island Safaris turned out to be by far the best in terms of price and what you get.

This tour is one of the highest ranked on GYG, with a total of 4.9 stars from nearly 500 reviews at the time of writing.

Best online price for: Island day trip from Hobart

Things to do on Bruny Island Tasmania

1. The neck look

The Neck Lookout is the iconic viewpoint overlooking the scenic isthmus connecting North and South Bruny Islands. You will often see this viewpoint as a photo in guidebooks, magazines and travel blogs.

Neck Lookout is easy to access, with a parking bay on Bruny Island Main Road. To be honest, if you're driving around the island, you can't miss this place!

From the top of the 279 wooden steps you have a great 360 degree viewpoint overlooking the isthmus that separates the beautiful D'Entrecasteaux Channel from the Tasman Sea.

Read more: Guide to The Neck Lookout
alt=“THE THROAT VIEW OF BRUNY ISLAND”>

2. Venture to Adventure Bay

Adventure Bay is one of the best areas on Bruny Island for hiking, cruising and even staying on the island. In fact, Adventure Bay has its own local community where many of the island's residents live.

Perhaps a little contrary to the name, this bay is also one of the most peaceful parts of Bruny. At the beach you will find calm, relaxing waters and pristine white sand. If you're looking for the quieter side of things to do on Bruny Island, this might be the place.
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3. Discover Bruny Island local produce

If you ask a Taswegian what to see or do on Bruny Island, you'll often be asked to try the local produce. Bruny is known in Tasmania for its excellent, locally produced cuisine. This is one of those places where Paddock to Plate really rings true.

For a quick overview of the most popular ones include Bruny Island Cheese Co, Get Shucked (oysters), The Bruny Island Chocolate Factory and Bruny Island Premium Wines.
alt=“HOBART CHEESE TOUR, THINGS TO DO”>

4. Take a cruise with Bruny Island Cruises

If this list of things to do on Bruny Island were in any order, then this south coast Bruny cruise would be number one. In fact, Bruny Island Cruises is often rated as the best things to do in Tasmania!

Cruises depart from Adventure Bay and offer the opportunity to see seals, dolphins, whales and seabirds. A cruise is by far the best way to explore Bruny Island's rugged coastline with its epic cliffs, blowholes and coastal caves.

Book online at the best price: Wilderness Cruise by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
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5. Hike to Fluted Cape

If you prefer to explore the rugged coastal landscapes from the trail, then the hike to Fluted Cape is one of the best on the island.

The Fluted Cape Walk also begins at the appropriately named Adventure Bay and climbs the cape along the east coast with many incredible places along the way to stop and admire the views.

Read more: The Fluted Cape Walk: walking guide
alt=“FLUTED CAPE PATH”>

6. Drive to South Bruny National Park

For those looking for things to do and see on Bruny Island that are truly off the beaten track, consider heading to the south coast to explore South Bruny National Park.

This national park is unofficially referred to as the wilder side of Bruny. Here, you'll leave culinary comforts behind and discover a dramatic landscape of elevated cliffs and windswept beaches, surrounded by native rainforest.
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alt=“SOUTH BRUNY ISLAND NATIONAL PARK BEACH, THINGS TO DO”>

RELATED POST: Guide to Visiting Maria Island

7. Visit Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Cape Bruny Lighthouse is located on the southern tip of the island and is accessed via a reasonably decent gravel road on the southwest fork, appropriately known as “Lighthouse Road.”

Built in 1836, Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the only lighthouse in Southern Tassie available for tours and, in my opinion, one of the most worthwhile to visit. This heritage site rises 114 meters above the impressive cliffs and coves, making it ideal for photographers and history buffs alike.

Book: Full day tour including lighthouse and island tour

alt=“VISIT THE CAPE BRUNY LIGHTHOUSE”>

8. Check out the Rocky Archway at Mars Bluff

One of the most popular hikes on Bruny Island is the Cape Queen Elizabeth Elizabeth Track. This route begins at a small car park on Bruny Island's main road, directly opposite Bruny Island Honey (also on this list of things to see and do).

The highlight of the route is the much-lauded Rocky Archway, located at Mars Bluff about 3-4 kilometers along the route.

In fact, many people don't make the hike to the Cape and instead choose to shorten it by visiting the archway instead. However, if you plan to do this, be sure to time the tides. You'll want to check out this attraction at low tide for the best photos!
alt=“ROCKY ARCH MARS BLUFF”>Image source: TrailCatJim

MORE THINGS TO DO AND SEE: Visitor's Guide to Hobart

9. Spot a rare Bruny Island White Wallaby

The famous white wallabies are native to the island and are one of the few places in Australia where you have a good chance of seeing one.

These white wallabies have a genetic defect that causes an imbalance of melanin, causing them to become albinos. When this happens in other parts of Australia, they are often snapped up by predators before they can spread their genes.

However, due to the lack of predators on Bruny Island, these cute little guys are thriving. In fact, recent reports estimate the population at around 200 white wallabies!

So if you visit the island, one of the best things you can do is see one of these rare little wallabies! A good place to see them is right next to the Fluted Cape Walk trailhead in East Cove (above).
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10. Visit the Bruny Island Honey Company

A short drive north of The Neck Lookout on Main Road you will find the official Bruny Island Honey store. This honey company has been harvesting Tasmanian honey for over 20 years with over 400 hives across the island.

What is unique about this honey shop is that it offers a free tasting of its various products.

Each honey product is different based on the trees and native bushes where bees collect their nectar. I recommend trying the Prickly Box and Manuka Honey here if you want to add something sweet to your list of things to do in Bruny Island, Tasmania!
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11. Jump on a 10-minute scenic flight

This last activity is by far the most epic thing to do on Bruny Island! There is a company that operates scenic flights known as Island Scenic Flights. You will find their office directly in front of the honey shop on the main street.

Check the website: Scenic Flights
alt=“BRUNY SCENIC FLIGHT OVER THE NECK”>

Bruny Island Travel Guide

That covers my list of things to do and see on Bruny Island. Did you find something you think is worthy of the list? Let me know in the comments below.

Otherwise, read on below for my Bruny Island travel guide that will answer all your questions about visiting the island.

How to get to Bruny Island?

Bruny Island lies south of Hobart and is accessible via a car ferry from the small port town of Kettering. If you have your own car then this is the easiest and best way to explore Bruny and is quite affordable with SeaLink at just $32.20 per vehicle return.

For travelers flying to Hobart, check the following links to find the cheapest car rental prices:

• RentalCars.com – Vergleicht alle Mietwagen verschiedener Autovermietungen, um die besten Angebote zu finden
• CarNextDoor – In der Regel ist dies die günstigste Option, eine Autovermietung auf Basis der Sharing-Economy. Verwenden Sie meinen Link für 15 $ Rabatt auf Ihre erste Buchung.Tipp: Stellen Sie sicher, dass Sie Ihr Fahrzeug vollgetankt haben, bevor Sie sich auf die Autofähre nach Bruny Island begeben. Es gibt eine Tankstelle auf der Insel, aber die Kraftstoffpreise sind viel höher.

Where to stay on Bruny Island

Did you know that you can also stay on the island?

However, the best accommodation options on Bruny Island are usually guest houses and holiday homes. This is because there are not many resorts or large hotels.

Below are two of the best Bruny Island accommodation options recommended by travelers on Booking.com.

Adventure Bay Holiday HomeThis is the highest rated holiday home on the island. It is conveniently located right in Adventure Bay, close to Fluted Cape and the cruise terminal.

It has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living area and outdoor areas. This is easily one of the best value for money options on Bruny.

Check the price per night for your travel dates
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Bruny Island Escapes and Hotel BrunyIf you would rather stay in a cozy cottage then definitely check out Bruny Island Escapes. They have several cottages throughout Bruny, each with a private balcony, wood-burning fireplace and fully equipped kitchen.

Check the price per night for your travel dates
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ARE YOU STILL PLANNING? READ: Where to stay in Tasmania: The 11 best areas

When is the best time to visit Bruny Island?

Although you can visit Bruny Island at any time of the year, the best time to visit is generally between September and February. During these months the weather is warmer and the chance of seeing wildlife is higher.

How long should you spend on Bruny Island?

With all the epic things to do on Bruny Island, it's no wonder people want to know how long they should spend here. In my opinion, 2-3 days is the perfect time to explore everything worth seeing on the island.

But as I mentioned above, a visitor's short time can see a lot in an action-packed day trip.

More travel and adventure articles for Tasmania

That concludes this guide to the best things to do and see on Bruny Island Tasmania. I hope you enjoy this epic slice of Tasmania! While you're here, be sure to check out some of my other travel guides for the state. I guarantee you will find lots of inspiring travel ideas as well as great hikes, waterfalls and sights.

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