Bruny Island
The hype is justifiedThe Ultimate Guide to a brilliant Bruny Island Trip 👇🏽
Bruny Island punches above it’s weight for foodies, adventurers & humdrum escapees. Here’s why.
Here, you’ll find out why Bruny Island is such a popular travel destination. We’ll share exactly how to get there, what to do, the best food on Bruny Island, where to stay, and how much it will all cost.
But first, lets get oriented.
Just off Tasmania’s southeast coast, Bruny Island is a quick ferry ride from the town of Kettering, about 35 kilometres south of Hobart.
Bruny is a hugely popular summer holiday destination, with mild summers around 21°C (70°F). Winter temps are a cool, crisp 10°C (50°F) which explains why some businesses on the island shut down over winter.
People visit Bruny Island for the natural beauty and for the food. There’s also some amazing luxury accommodation on Bruny Island.
The island’s landscape is diverse and interesting to drive around. There’s dramatic sea cliffs, serene white beaches, dense forests, secret coves, and rolling farmlands.
It’s a haven for outdoor adventurers, luxury travellers, foodies, and folks who just want to escape and decompress.
You’ll hear ‘North Bruny’ and ‘South Bruny’ referred to a lot. That’s because Bruny Island is made up of a north and south island, connected by a long skinny stretch of land called an ‘isthmus’ 👆🏼👆🏼. On Bruny, they call this stretch of land ‘The Neck’ and it’s the number 1 spot to stop and snap an iconic ‘I’ve been to Bruny Island’ pic for your socials.
North Bruny Island
North Bruny is where you’ll disembark the Bruny Island Ferry from Kettering (on the ‘big island’ or Tassie). The ferry stops in the north of North Bruny and you spend your Bruny Island Trip essential heading south and exploring as you go.
Most of the Bruny Island food options – Get Shucked Oysters, Bruny Island Cheese Company and Bruny Island Honey etc – are found on North Bruny Island.
When it comes to Bruny Island, we’ve never found a bay we didn’t like. That applies to North Bruny Island and you’ll find accommodation options with spectacular views in the north at Barnes Bay and at Dennes Point.
South Bruny Island
South Bruny is where a lot of the accommodation is – such as in Adventure Bay, Alonnah, and Cloudy Bay. It’s also where you’ll find the Bruny lighthouse, a.k.a Cape Bruny Lighthouse and a lot of cool walks and hikes through national parks.
So is it easy to drive on Bruny Island?
All up it’s about one hour to drive the full length of Bruny Island, north to south. The main road – literally called ‘Bruny Island Main Rd’ – is sealed and in great condition. It’s easy to drive. Once you get to Lunawanna on South Bruny expect to hit gravel roads that are bit bumpy, can be muddy and a bit pot-holed.
And no, you don’t need a four wheel drive on Bruny Island. 😃
Map of Bruny Island
To save you time with your trip planning we’ve pinned the best:
- beaches,
- restaurants,
- cafes,
- walks,
- campgrounds and
- attractions
- and more
from this page, based on our travels to Bruny.
Simply click into our map of Bruny Island and navigate your way around for a brilliant Bruny Island trip.
Best of all? It’s free! 😃
How to get to Bruny island
Bruny Island is off the south coast of Tasmania. It’s a short ferry ride from the small seaside hamlet of Kettering. The thing to know about getting to Bruny Island is that you need a car to explore the island. If you don’t have a care you can easily book a Bruny Island tour. There’s no public transport, taxis, or Uber on the island.
Here’s where to find the best hire car for your Bruny Island trip.
Buying a ferry ticket is your first step to getting your car to Bruny Island.. You pay for the return ferry ticket (which is actually a barge) when you depart Kettering.
The Bruny Island ferry cost is $50.6 per car, less than 6m long.
Find out everything you need to know about the Sealink Bruny Island ferry below 👇🏽
How to get to Bruny Island from Hobart
Bruny Island trips from Hobart are popular weekend and summer activity. There are two options to get from Hobart to Bruny Island.
1. Drive to Kettering. Then take the Sealink Bruny Island ferry from Kettering over to the island. Kettering is an easy 40 minute drive south of Hobart. The ferry takes 20 minutes. So you could be on Bruny Island from Hobart in just over an hour. This means Bruny Island can be done in a day trip from Hobart. Or as part of longer Tasmania Travel Itinerary.
2. Tours to Bruny Island from Hobart. If driving is not an option for you don’t despair. Book a Bruny Island day tour instead! These are full day tours that begin and end in Hobart. They often include Bruny’s 3 biggest attractions – The Neck, Cape Bruny Lighthouse & Adventure Bay. And of course the popular food stops to enjoy Bruny Island oysters, cheeses and chocolates.
We’ve done the hard work and rated the best Bruny Island tours from Hobart so you get big bang for your buck 👇🏽
everything you need to know
Bruny island ferry Kettering
The ferry to Bruny Island Tasmania departs from Kettering on the South Coast of the ‘big island’ (Tassie). Here’s everything you need to know about catching it:
How long is the ferry to Bruny Island?
It’s a short 20 minute trip from Kettering to Bruny Island on the Sealink Bruny Island Ferry.
What are the Bruny Island ferry times?
The Bruny Island Ferry from Kettering runs 365 days a year. There are ferries every 20 to 30 minutes in both directions (to Bruny Island and to back to Kettering). Ferries start around 6am and operate to around 7pm each day. Check out this table of Bruny Island Ferry Times.
How much is a Bruny Island ferry ticket?
The ferry costs $50.6 per car for a return ticket from Kettering (2024 prices). Bikes and motorbikes are $7 return and cars with campervans or caravans are $113 return.
Do you need to pre-book your Bruny Island Ferry Ticket?
No. You can buy tickets when you arrive at the Kettering wharf. We didn’t pre-book our Bruny Island ferry ride from Kettering. We just turned up and paid by card before boarding. You can pre-book with Sealink if you prefer.
Are cars allowed on Bruny Island?
Yes! In fact, it’s hard to get around the island unless you have a car or you’re booked on a tour.
What to do on Bruny Island
1. Cape Bruny Lighthouse
A highlight of our trip and we didn’t even do the lighthouse tour! Cape Bruny Lighthouse feels like the end of the world. The crashing waves of the Great Southern Ocean, towering cliffs and sandy white beaches are like no-where else on Bruny. It’s wild!
There are a few things to know before you go:
- It’s 18km on gravel to get there. Expect a very muddy car.
- Parking can be hard to get. Arrive early!
- Do the beach walk! More details below 👇🏽
Bruny Island Cheese Co.
2. Bruny Island Tasting Trail
The food on Bruny Island is top notch. So here’s a tasting trail suggestion, to sample all of the amazing food Bruny Island’s best producers have to offer.
Bruny Island Beer Co.
Bruny Island Bread Fridge
3. Explore Adventure Bay
Adventure Bay is exactly that. Packed with places to explore. It feels like the most fun part of Bruny Island. Here’s a list of our favourite things about it:
- Bruny Island Cruises – a wow sealife experience
- The Walks – best on the island 👇🏽
- White wallabies – near Adventure Bay Retreat
- The beaches & bays – pristine, relaxing & idealic
- Penguin Island – unexpected, wild, worth finding
- Accommodation – luxury to basic, by the beach
White Wallabies
4. Walk Bruny’s trails & hikes
Our favourite way to explore Bruny Island is on foot. The isalnd is just made for walking. With it’s secret coves, mile-long beaches, rugged cliffs, and pristine nature. We can’t recommend highly enough the freedom of getting out on Bruny’s many trails. Here are three of our faves👇🏽👇🏽
Grass Point Track (Adventure Bay)
Cape Queen Elizabeth Track
Lighthouse Bay Beach Walk

5. Beachcomb
Beach lovers are spoilt for choice with Bruny Island beaches. The place is full of hidden bays & deserted beaches.
Take a stroll. Watch the waves. Listen to the water lap at the shore. Chances are, you’ll have the entire beach to yourself.
Ahh the serenity…
Beaches on the west side of the Island are more sheltered than those in the east and the south.
Which means the surf beaches are more southern and eastern facing.
Restaurants Bruny Island
Finding dinner on Bruny Island can be a little tricky if you’re not prepared. There are a limtied number of restaurants. Some only open a few days a week. This run down will give you the lay of the land on where to eat:
top 5 Bruny ISland Food options
1. Izzy Bar
This newest of Bruny Island restaurants impressed us with their amazing quality of food. So much so we’ve covered Izzy Bar in detail below. A must read & a must book 👇🏽 😃
Open: Friday to Sunday for lunch. Thurs to Saturday for dinner. Bookings essential.
2. Get Shucked Oysters
People travel from far and wide to demolish a plate of Bruny Island Oysters. Get Shucked Osyters is a Bruny institution. A must visit on any itinerary. Want to know what you’ll get and what you’ll pay? We got you 👇🏽
Open: daily 9:30 to 4:30. No bookings needed.
3. Bruny Cheese Co.
Quality cheeses and in-house beers in the one location. What more could you ask for. Stop in for platter and a tasting paddle. Or take away like we did and pull together your own platter for dinner at your accommodation. Hopefully with sea views. 👇🏽
Open: daily 10am to 4pm. No bookings needed.
4. Bruny Island Premium Wines Bar and Grill
A popular eating spot to sample the local seafood or a classic Tasmanian platter paired with a local Pinot. Vegetarian and gluten free options.
Open: every day for lunch. Saturday only for dinner. Bookings essential.
5. Hotel Bruny Tasmania
Not flash inside but the food is tastier than you might imagine and generous servings. Standard pub fare with a penchant towards seafood. Good local beers on tap including from the Bruny Island Beer Co.
Open: daily for lunch and dinner. No need to book.




Izzy Bar
You simply must have a meal at Izzy Bar on your Bruny Island Trip. Bruny’s newest restaurant is an exciting stone-baked pizza & wine bar with a Chilean chef baking up the tastiest pizza we’ve had in a long time! Watch pizza’s fly from the outdoor stone oven, glass of wine in hand or just take in the distant sea views. Do not miss the baked cheese cake. But really, everything on the menu is yummo! Seating is limited! Definitely book ahead.

Get Shucked Oysters
If you don’t eat the oysters did you really go to Bruny? Get Shucked is worth a visit and I don’t even like oysters! The panko crumbed variety are my flavour of choice but just get the mixed dozen and try everything!



Luxury Accommodation Bruny Island
Exceptional accommodation.
Beachfront location.
Killer sea views.
With a twist.
Here’s your list:
Bruny Boathouse
Coastal interiors. Ocean views & golden sunsets. Private outdoor shower & bath. Breakfast & bubbles included. Yes please!!!
Yurt @ Littlegrove
Romance & adventure. Luxe Moroccan twist. Total seclusion. Outdoor bath with views for miles. A must book – if it’s available!
Adventure Bay Retreat
Luxury lodge vibes. Spa with a view. Giant raked ceilings. Wood fireplace. White wallabies. Authentic Bruny.
Birdsong
Couples haven. Cosy character cabin. Elevated views are wow. Big nature. Private & pet freindly. Garden bath. Firepit & fun.
Seagrass on Sunset Bay
Waterfront with wow. Luxurious inside, tranquil out. Escape. Unwind. Get in early or miss out.
What to know before you go
Bruny Island camping
5 Best Camping Spots on Bruny Island
1. Captain Cook Holiday Park (Adventure Bay)
Wake up to stunning beachfront views with easy access to Adventure Bay’s crystal-clear (and calm!) waters. This spot offers amenities like hot showers, BBQ areas, and powered sites—perfect for a touch of comfort while still enjoying the great outdoors.
2. The Pines on Cloudy Bay (Cloudy Bay)
Surfers assemble! The Pines is ideal for for catching a wave and strolling remote sandy beaches. Small but with basic amenities it is close to incredible hiking trails. An escape for nature lovers. Best of all, it’s free!
3. The Neck Campsite (The Neck)
Nestled between North and South Bruny, this spot offers incredible views and easy access to beach and The Neck Lookout.
4. Jetty Beach Campground (South Bruny)
Perfect for families, this tranquil spot is near sheltered waters ideal for kayaking and fishing. The campground is surrounded by lush bush and wildlife, making for a peaceful retreat with the basics facilities.
5. Dennes Point Campground (North Bruny)
Experience the charm of a small coastal village with direct beach access and nearby scenic walks. It’s a great spot for a laid-back camping experience with stunning sunsets and a relaxed vibe.
Everything you need to know about camping on Bruny Island
Is it free to camp on Bruny Island?
There a a few free camping spots on Bruny Island, such as The Pines at Cloudy Bay. But generally campsites on Bruny Island are paid.
Where are the free campsites on Bruny Island?
They’re good quality mountain bikes of varying sizes. They all have gears, which is great because you’re going to need them. Maria Island is hilly! You’ll need a moderate level of fitness to take the bikes out and even then you’ll be walking up some hills instead of pedalling.
Hard bike seats though. So if you’re riding all day, bring a seat cover for your poor butt!
How much does it cost to camp on Bruny Island?
Camping in a national park – eg. The Jetty, The Neck, Cloudy Corner (4WD only) – costs $10 for 1 to 2 people per night and $5 per adult after that. Kids are $2.5 per night. There’s a family price of $15 per night.
Can you book campsites on Bruny Island?
You can’t book campsites in national parks on Bruny. These include The Jetty, The Pines, The Neck and Cloudy Bay Corner. Spots are allocated on a first come first serve basis.
You can of course book campsites in private camping grounds and caravan parks.
Bruny Island Costs
Day Trip Cost
Parks Pass (Holiday)
Ferry ticket (return)
Eating & Drinking
Hire Car
TOTAL
Boat Cruise (Optional)
Per Person (adult)
$45
$25
$80
$60
$210
$175
Based on 2 persons
Overnight Stay Cost
Parks Pass (Holiday)
Ferry ticket (return)
Hire Car
Eating & Drink
Accommodation
TOTAL
Boat Cruise (Optional
Per Person (adult)
$45
$25
$60
$150
$120
$400
$175

What to know before you go
Parks Pass
Best to pick up a Parks Pass. to enter South Bruny National Park where the Cape Bruny Lighthouse is.
If you’re heading to a few national parks, the Holiday Pass is best. If it’s just South Bruny National Park you’re going to on your Tassie trip, a Daily Pass is cheaper.
Groceries and supplies
There are only a couple of (expensive) General Stores on Bruny Island. And their range is limited. So bring everything you need with you.
The Island is off-grid for water. Bring your own water if camping, or water treatment tablets just in case.
Most accommodation provides filtered water safe for drinking.
Dinner options
While lunch stops are plentiful, dinner options are few and far between on the Island. The are a couple of pubs and restaurants open after dark. But only the pubs open 7 days a week. So what are your options?
You can bring groceries and cook in your accommodation.
We put together a platter with fare from Bruny Island Cheese Co and smoked seafood from Get Shucked Oysters.
Also, if you do want to eat out for dinner, book ahead!
Winter
What makes Bruny unique is the dedication of small business that dominate the island’s economy. But small business can also tend to shut up shop for in winter for some time off. Be preapred for this if you’re heading to Bruny June – August.