Top Things To Do On Bruny Island

Close enough to Hobart for a day trip, but far enough for a whole weekend, is the beautiful rugged land of Bruny Island.

Made up of a North and South island, held together by the iconic and narrow isthmus called The Neck, Bruny Island feels like a country dream, with long dry grass, tall gumtrees and different wildlife everywhere you turn around.

While visiting Tasmania over the Easter long weekend, we made our way out to Bruny Island to experience everything the island had to offer. If you’re planning your visit, here are the top things to do on Bruny Island.

Getting to Bruny Island

Access to the island is by vehicular ferry departing from Kerrering, approximately a 40 minute drive away from Hobart. The ferry ride takes about 15 minutes and arrives at Roberts Point on North Bruny. The island has a population of about 620 and is actually deceptively large, approximately 100 kilometres in length.

During the summertime and the Easter long weekends two ferries operate, arriving every half hour. It’s a good idea to get there extremely early to avoid a super long line up and wait as the ferries are quite small. We arrived at the ferry at about 9am and didn’t manage to get onto a ferry until 11:30.

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What to do on Bruny Island

There’s an endless list of country wildlife experiences to be had on Bruny Island, and if you really want to see them all I would probably recommend allowing more than a day on the island. Here are some of the top reasons to visit the island that you can’t miss out on:

The view from the Neck

Half way across the isthmus, the Neck connects the North and South of Bruny Island to each other. The Neck Lookout can be found at the top of a 279 step climb, where you will also find the Truganini Memorial and the best views of the island. Keep an eye out for the local fairy penguins that live in the surrounding sand dunes.

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Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Australia’s second oldest lighthouse, built in 1836, can be found at the very tip of South Bruny. Standing at 13m high and built out of stone, visitors are able to check out the inside of the lighthouse on tours with Bruny Island Safaris.

Explore South Bruny National Park

Which is full of towering cliffs overlooking long sandy beaches and the beautiful surrounding ocean. Why not take a bush walk and see how many local species you can find.

And of course, you have to eat and drink your way around the whole island, everything is just so delicious!

Book now: Experiences and tours on Bruny Island

Food & Drinks on Bruny Island

One of the best kept secrets of the island of Tasmania is how amazing their food and wine is. Overflowing with wineries and organic local produce, Tassie has some of the best dining options, even if you’re just looking for a quick snack! Bruny Island is no exception and offers many different foodie experiences for those in the know. Make sure you check out:

Bruny Island Premium Wines Bar & Grill

Open for lunch seven days a week, the tables are alfresco and look right over the beautiful vineyards and tumbling yellow hills. An extensive menu specialising in Bruny Island produce including tapas, gourmet burgers, platters and some of the best wine I have ever tasted!

Bruny Island Berry Farm

Fresh berries (including strawberries, blackberries and boysenberries), delicious berry ice-cream, scones and pancakes, and stunning views across the island.

Bruny Island Cheese Co.

More hand-made cheese than you could imagine. Cute cafe on site serving wine with the cheeses, as well as cheese tasting and sales available.

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Get Shucked Oyster Farm

Fresh oyster sales straight from the farm, open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm.

Bruny Island House of Whisky

Tasmania’s best single-malt whiskies and gourmet platters. Make sure you don’t miss your ferry back to the mainland!

Want to stay a bit longer? Check out the best places to stay on Bruny Island.

Bruny Island is a great way to spend one day or a whole weekend. There are plenty of great camping grounds around the island, my favourite being found right near The Neck, as well as heaps of boutique accommodation options.

Bruny Island is the ideal place to chill out, disconnect from electronics and maybe reconnect with nature and loved ones.

To find out more about Bruny Island, make sure you check out their official website for everything you need to know.

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