Things to do at Bruny Island
Activities and Attractions
With such natural beauty it is unsurprising that Tasmania as a whole and Bruny Island in particular are popular with overseas visitors. Foreigners will need to consider changing their cash for Australian dollars before arriving, however, because the island is not exactly overrun with banking services. There are, of course, plenty of ATMs in Hobart and Kingston to use. Australian or not, you will probably want some spare dollars to take part in the activities available on the island. There are, for example, fast moving cruises that operate from Adventure Bay which explore the island. Some say the ocean gives the best views of the unspoilt coastline. These multi-award winning cruises usually run over three hours and the boats, although ruggedly built for the local seas, are comfortable and safe. Expect to discover the so-called Monument, a rocky outcrop which leaves a narrow channel though which you can pass. Sea goers are also often able to spot dolphins, migrating whales as well as birds of prey. Art lovers should head to the most northern part of the island where there is a gallery showcasing the best in local talent including ceramicists, photographers and textile artists.
Food and Wine
For an island that lies off an island that lies off an island, you may expect the area to be a culinary backwater. Far from it. The locality is justly proud of its cuisine – the perfect accompaniment for a luxury vacation. Locally sourced oysters are afavourite choice. Oysters are sourced from a farm on the west of the island which is open to visitors who’d like to sample the produce. Similarly, island-produced cheese has an increasing reputation for both integrity and flavour. Bruny Island Cheese Company makes distinctive cheese from a combination of both cow’s and goat’s milk. The cheese makers have an ethos which is both traditional and ethical – promoting the good treatment of the animals producing the milk. Oenophiles will also find something of interest on the island. The Wayaree Estate produces chardonnay and pinot noir vines that have both won awards. The vineyard itself has a sunny north westerly aspect which offers the grapes slow ripening conditions. The estate is open to visitors on most days but it is best to call ahead to make an appointment.
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Bruny Island Berry Farm
for berries, delicious icecream, jams, pancakes and more. -
Bruny Island Cheese Company
offers hand made cheese, cafe, sales and tastings, artisan products and more. -
Bruny Island Premium Wines
is Australia's most southern vineyard. Award winning wines, cellar door sales and tastings. -
Bruny Island Chocolate
Enjoy a wide variety of chocolate products made on site, including chocolate-coated nuts, fudge, honeycomb pieces and more
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Get Shucked Oyster Farm
offers fresh oyster sales from the farm. -
Hotel Bruny
offers a bistro style restaurant for lunch and dinner. It also includes a bottle shop and serves local produce wherever possible. -
Jetty Cafe
offers good food with an emphasis on local produce. Located at Dennes Point, North Bruny Island. - Tasmanian House of WhiskyBruny Island award winning House of Whiskey.
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Hothouse Cafe Bruny Island
all day breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bookings are essential for dinner. Panoramic views of the Neck Beach and Tasman Peninsula.
Bushwalking
From 5 minutes to full day walks, Bruny Island offers breathtaking scenery such as dramatic coastlines, rainforests and secluded beaches.
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Truganni Lookout - 15 minutes return
Located at the Neck. A beautiful timber stepped boardwalk takes you to some of the most spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the Neck. -
Mayvista Nature Walk - 20 minutes return
Travel south through Adventure Bay and turn right onto Lockleys Road. Travel for 2.5kms then turn right into Resolution Road to Discovery Park picnic area and the start of the Nature Walk. This is an easy short rainforest walk. -
Grass Point - 1 hour return
A flat track suitable for all ages. The track commences at the end of Adventure Bay Road. The walk continues along the beach and then follows the coastline to Grass Point. There are aerial views of Adventure Bay and Cape Queen Elizabeth. This walk continues to fluted cape. -
Luggabone Circuit - 1.5 hour circuit
This walk commences at the Jetty Beach camping area, located off Lighthouse Road on the way to Cape Bruny Lightstation. Walk through to coastal heath, eucalyptus forest and back along the eastern coastline. -
Mount Mangana - 1.5 hours return
This walk commences from Coolongatta Road outside the National Park, 5kms inland from Adventure Bay. Mt Mangana is the highest peak on Bruny Island at 571 metres.
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Fluted Cape - 2.5 hours return
An extension of the Grass Point and Penguin Island walks. From grass point the track climbs steeply to the summit of Fluted Cape at 272 metres, passing the very high sea cliffs. Not suitable for young children. -
Cape Queen Elizabeth - 3 hours return
Walk commences at a 4 wheel drive track just north of Bruny Island airstrip. With spectacular views this is an easy walk within the Bruny Neck Game Reserve. -
East Cloudy Head - 4 hours return
Access is from the end of cloudy bay road. The first 3 kilometres is along the beach with the remainder along a disused 4wd track. Parts of the walk are not well marked. -
Labillardiere Penninsla - 5 hour circuit
Walk commences off old jetty road, signposted from Lighthouse Road, on the way to the Cape Bruny Lighthouse. Suggested route is clockwise. -
Slide Track - 3.5 hours one way
This 10km track is for the experienced walker. It is better started from Lockleys Road as the road descends steeply to the abandoned wooden tramway, used to transport logs to Adventure Bay. Be prepared for all types of conditions.
For more information on some of these walks visit the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife website.
Boating and Kayaking
Bruny Island is ideal for boating, fishing, kayaking, dinghies, surfing and windsurfing. A must see experience is the Bruny Island Adventure Cruise, a 3 hour cruise exploring the coastline of the island. Come up close and personal to dolphins and fur seals. Also whales in the migration season. See Bruny Island Cruises for more information.
Fishing
The best time to fish on Bruny Island is between November and April. Major species caught on Bruny Island are flathead, leatherjacket, morwong, gurnard, squid, Australian salmon, barracouta, striped trumpeter and skate. Large schools of arrow squid and calamari run from around October each year and hang around until the New Year.
For the boat angler reports of albacore and striped tuna have been taken wide off Adventure Bay.
The best Bruny Island Hot Spots for fishing are:
- Alonnah
- Cloudy Bay Lagoon
- Adventure Bay and Neck Beach
- Barnes Bay
- Dennes Point
For more information on fishing please visit the Department of Primary Industries and Water website
Bird Watching
Bruny Island is a bird watchers paradise. More than half of Bruny is set aside as National Park and State Reserve, which include rainforest and plant species not found anywhere else in Tasmania.
Inala Nature Tours specialise in designing and organising personalised wildlife tours for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts.
More local tourist attractions
Sunset Bay Escape is true luxury Bruny Island accommodation. It is a place where you can do as little or as much as you like.
