Getting from Hobart to Bruny Island is an easy and absolutely unforgettable day trip. A Bruny Island day trip is one of the best things to do in Tasmania. The Island is one of the few great untouched wilderness areas left in Australia and maybe even the world for that matter.
Located off the South-eastern Coast of Tasmania Bruny Island (or Bruny as it is known to the locals) stretches into the wild Southern Ocean towards Antarctica Bruny Island has 362 square kilometres of farms, agricultural beaches, rivers, and wilderness areas.
Bruny Island is marketed as an experience, an experience in nature and all things luxury from accommodation to food. From the moment you disembark from the Bruny Island Ferry, you will see fields growing grapes and fruits, you will see businesses selling berries, cheese, whisky, and even drive-thru oyster sales.
You will pass white sand beaches, small coves, and camping areas along the Bruny coastline making it a great Tasmania attraction.
It’s not far from Hobart to Bruny Island
All roads on Bruny lead to Adventure Bay. Adventure Bay is the main settlement on the Island. Adventure Bay has a long history, as long as Australia’s history.
Adventure Bay on Bruny Island was visited by Captain Cook. Adventure Bay is the base of a number of the island’s accommodation options, bush walks, and tourist attractions.
South Bruny Island National Park starts here and Bruny Island cruises launch from here. Adventure Bay Beach is a popular spot for swimming as it is one of the more sheltered beaches on the island.
We noticed calm waters white sands and beautiful timber seating along the foreshore where you could just sit, relax and take in the beautiful scenery.
How to get to Bruny Island by car
To get to Bruny Island from Hobart you need to get to the town of Kettering. Take the A6 out of Hobart before turning onto the channel highway a total of 36 kilometres.
Look out for the fork in the road, I mean it literally. Some states in Australia have big bananas and prawns, and Tasmania has the big Pitch Folk which you will pass on your way from Hobart to Bruny Island.
Once you reach Kettering, Tasmania, you will need to line up at the Kettering ferry terminal in your car to catch the Bruny Island Ferry. The Hobart to Kettering drive should take around 40 minutes.
The Bruny Island Ferry takes 20 minutes to cross the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to reach Bruny Island. You can pop into the little café at the Bruny Island ferry dock and get a coffee or a cold drink if you have time.
During busy periods, peak times, or a long weekend it is the best time to get to the ferry is as early as possible. The Ferry terminal on Bruny Island is located at Roberts Point where you will line up for your return trip.
Catch the Ferry to Bruny Island
Pop your car or bike or you can even go by foot on the ferry to Bruny Island. Sit, back, relax, and enjoy the views as you cruise the beautiful waters of Tasmania.
The ferry from the Kettering ferry terminal to North Bruny Island allows you to take in some of the beauty of this part of Tasmania. The information below on the Bruny Island Ferry Timetable will help you plan your trip.
Bruny Island ferry timetable
| Car Ferry Departing Kettering | Car Ferry Departing Bruny Island | ||
| Time | Operates | Time | Operates |
| 6:30 am | Monday – Friday | ||
| 6:50 am | Monday – Saturday | 6:50 am | Monday – Saturday |
| 6:30 am | Monday – Saturday | 7:10 am | Monday – Saturday |
| 7:50 am * | Daily | 7:50 am | Daily |
| 8:10 am | Daily | 8:10 am | Daily |
| 8:30 am | Daily | 8:30 am * | Daily |
| 8:50 am | Daily | 7:10 am | Daily |
| 9:10 am | Daily | 9:10 am | Daily |
| 8:50 am | Daily | 9:30 am | Daily |
| 9:50 am | Daily | 9:50 am | Daily |
| 10:10 am | Daily | 10:10 am | Daily |
| 10:30 am | Daily | 10:30 am | Daily |
| 10:50 am | Daily | 10:50 am | Daily |
| 11:10 am | Daily | 11:10 am | Daily |
| 9:30 am | Daily | 11:30 am | Daily |
| 11:50 am | Daily | 11:30 am | Daily |
| 12:10 pm | Daily | 12:10 pm | Daily |
| 12:30 pm | Daily | 12:30 pm | Daily |
| 1:20 pm | Daily | 1:20 pm | Daily |
| 1:40 pm | Daily | 1:40 pm | Daily |
| 2:00 pm | Daily | 2:00 pm | Daily |
| 11:50 am | Daily | 2:20 pm | Daily |
| 2:40 pm | Daily | 2:20 pm | Daily |
| 3:20 pm | Daily | 3:00 pm | Daily |
| 3:00 PM | Daily | 3:20 pm | Daily |
| 3:40 pm * | Daily | 3:40 pm | Daily |
| 4:10 pm | Daily | 4:10 pm * | Daily |
| 4:30 pm | Daily | 4:30 pm | Daily |
| 4:50 pm | Daily | 4:50 pm | Daily |
| 5:10 pm | Daily | 5:10 pm | Daily |
| 5:30 pm | Daily | 5:30 pm | Daily |
| 2:40 pm | Daily | 5:50 pm | Daily |
| 6:10 pm | Daily | 6:10 pm | Daily |
| 6:30 pm | Daily | 6:30 pm | Daily |
| 7:00 pm | 5:50 pm | 7:15 pm | On Demand |
| On-Demand | Daily | On-Demand | Daily |
Information correct as of 1 December 2022
The trip is only short but you can get out of the car and get some great views of the waterway that separates Kettering from Bruny Island.
There is no need to book tickets, the ferry service is first in first served. You get to the ferry dock and just line up in your car to take the Bruny Island Ferry. The ferry can get busy on a long weekend with people heading to the National Park. If you have little ones, there is a toilet on board.
Book a 3-hour Bruny Island wilderness cruise today ↗
Bruny Island Ferry Ticket Prices
Regular Bruny Island Ferry options | Saver | Super Saver | |
| All passengers including driver | Free | Free | Free |
| Visitor vehicle < 6m | 46.00 | 40.00 | 34.00 |
| Visitor concession vehicle < 6m | 34.00 | 29.50 | 25.00 |
| Motorcycle and bicycle on the car ferry | 6.30 | 6.30 | 6.30 |
| Visitor concession motorcycle and sidecar or tow | 34.00 | 29.50 | 25.00 |
| Vehicle 6 – 10m | 78.50 | 68.50 | 56.50 |
| Vehicle 10 – 15m | 108.70 | 94.50 | 78.50 |
| Vehicle > 15m on the var ferry | 132.80 | 115.50 | 98.50 |
| Truck (6 – 10m) and trailer (6 – 10m) | 157.00 | 137.00 | 113.00 |
| Vehicle < 6m and tow concession (caravan and boat) | 90.60 | 78.80 | 67.00 |
| Vehicle < 6m and tow (caravan and boat | 102.60 | 89.20 | 73.50 |
| Australian Commonwealth Concession Fares* | Regular | Saver | Super Saver |
| Australian Pensioner* Driver and Vehicle – Length: < 6m | 34.00 | 29.50 | 25.00 |
| Australian Commonwealth Seniors Health Card* Driver and Vehicle – Length: < 6m | 39.50 | 34.50 | 29.50 |
Foot passengers
Information for the car ferry is correct as of December 1, 2022
After disembarking the Bruny Island ferry it is another 34 Kilometres till you reach Adventure Bay. This will allow you to take in some amazing views including crossing the neck on Bruny Island.
The Neck heading to South Bruny is the area with the smallest width from one side to the other on Bruny Island, Tasmania. The neck is maybe 100 meters wide, and all that stops Bruny from becoming two islands.
A number of days tours are available from Adventure Bay, we recommend you take a boat tour along the coast during your Bruny Island day trip.
Accommodation at Adventure Bay
For those wanting to stay on Bruny Island (and we really wish we were able to), the way is to head to Adventure Bay, for Bruny Island Caravan Parks and a Bruny Island Hotel.
The Bruny Island Caravan Park (Captain Cook Holiday Park) has a range of cabins and caravans for hire. You can also bring your own van and stay at Bruny Island Caravan Park. Captain Cook Holiday Park has facilities such as:
- Shared Kitchen
- Laundry
- Bike Hire
- Bbq
- Onsite Parking
- Kids playground
- canoeing
As a more upscale venue, one would say Bruny Island Luxury accommodation would be to stay at Bruny Beachfront Eco Lodge. This Bruny Island Luxury accommodation will find your toe deep in the sand 20 meters from the front door. Two bedrooms and plenty of room for your Bruny staycation. The Bruny Beachfront Eco Lodge features
- Toiletries
- Kitchen
- Indoor Fireplace
- Tv
- Laundry
- Towels
For more information and prices on the Bruny Beachfront Eco Lodge search here.
Public Transport from Hobart to Bruny Island
The closest you will get via public transport is if you catch a bus to Kettering from Hobart. There are 4 buses a day that depart Hobart for Kettering Tasmania. From Kettering, your option is to take the Bruny ferry as foot traffic over to the island.
Once on Bruny there is no public transport, no Bruny Island bus, your only options will be walking and hitchhiking. It would be a fantastic way to see the island especially if you were able to bring your own bikes with you.
Bruny Island food adventures
One of the best things to do on Bruny Island is to check out the local produce. Bruny Island is about food, glorious food. The fresh, clean water and fertile soils make the ultimate breeding ground for some amazing local Bruny Island food.
This has resulted in some amazing artisan foods and drinks being produced on Bruny Island. Let us take a look at some of the amazing food and beverage to try on the island.
Get Shucked: Maybe the world’s only drove-through Oyster Bar, yes you heard right much like McDonald’s there is a drive-through window for some of the world’s best Oysters.
Get Shucked oysters are grown and cultivated in the untouched waters of Bruny Island. Get Shucked serves oysters that are harvested fresh daily for you.
Bruny Island Chocolate Co: As you are driving towards Adventure Bay you will come across a small roadside store, The Bruny Island Chocolate Company. Make sure you try their signature product, The Bruny Island fudge.
Bruny Island Cheese Company: Highly regarded as being home to some of the best and most traditional cheese made anywhere in Australia.
The cheese company sources its milk for the cheese from its own farm. Artisan cheeses are one of the top things to try on the island.
The farm features different breeds of cows to obtain a variety of milk to make the artisan cheese you can buy. We highly recommend the Otto based on the soft cheese blends in France.
Bruny Island House of Whisky: Ever since a Tasmanian whiskey was voted the world’s best in 2014, whiskey has been big business in Tasmania. The House of Whiskey showcases the best of Tasmanian Single Malt Whiskey.
You can immerse yourself in a true tour of Tasmanian distilleries through the taste of whiskey. The House of Whiskey boasts the most extensive known range of purely Tasmanian Single Malts in the state.
Bruny Island showcases some of the freshest and best produce in all of Tasmania. You go do a gourmet food tour on Bruny Island if food is your thing.
Bruny Island tours from Hobart
From our point of view if you’re going to do any Bruny Island day tours from Hobart then you must do a Pennicott Tour. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys is Ecotourism Australia accredited and put money back into the environment they work in. Pennicott Tours have so far donated over $100,000 to the Tasmanian Coast Conservation Fund.
A Bruny Island Day trip from Hobart is a great idea to show you the essentials of Bruny in a short period of time.
You will depart Hobart in the morning and arrive back in the evening with no worries. Sit back, relax, and get transported when you visit Bruny Island while listening to the expert commentary on the way. (We do recommend you prepare yourself for Nick’s jokes!)
Bruny Island Wilderness Coast Eco-Tour from Hobart
Join a day trip from Hobart for Bruny Island cruises to experience the untouched wilderness of this amazing island. The Bruny Island day trip includes return transport, ferry crossing, a 3-hour cruise, island sightseeing, morning tea, and lunch.
Highlights of the Bruny Island Cruises Tour
- Explore Friar Rocks – home to over 1000 Australian Fur Seals
- Marvel the spectacle of the explosive blowhole at Breathing Rock
- See stunning sea caves and rock formations
- Visit pristine rainforests and untouched beaches
- Marvel at the pure spectacle that is The Monument
We loved the experience that the Pennicott tour delivered. The 3 hours cruise down the coast of Tasmania into the Southern Ocean is something I will always remember. To see the amazing sea stacks and sheer cliffs rise from the water was unbelievable. The knowledge of the staff to explain everything was invaluable to make the experience so much more
Mark Wyld – Wyld Family Travel August 2018
Book a Bruny Island Coastal Wilderness Tour – Full Day ↗
Bruny Island Weather
In this part of Tasmania, you will find that January is the hottest month with an average temperature of 18°C (64°F) and the coldest is July at 8°C (46°F). Looking for blue skies and sunshine, this is Tasmania, it comes and goes. The wettest month is March with an average of 50 mm of rain. The Bruny Island weather can be ever-changing, so pack accordingly.
Things to pack to visit Bruny Island
Bruny Island is a must-visit destination when you are in Tasmania. It’s beautiful, unique, captivating, and much more. When we were walking to the Pennicott’s Office to head off on our cruise a lady said it was one of the best things she had ever done in her life and after our amazing experience, I would have to completely agree. We hope you enjoy any trip that gets you to Bruny Island. It is one of the best things to do in Tasmania.
| Rain Coat | Pack a lightweight coat | Browse coats here | |||
| Beanie | The wind can be very cold | Browse power banks | |||
| Insulated cooler bag | keep produce fresh | Browse Cooler bags | |||
| Travel towels | In case you get wet | Browse travel towels | |||
| Travel Umbrella | Tassie weather unpredictable | Browse Umbrellas | |||
| Waterproof Backpack | keeps the rain & spray out | Browse backpacks | |||
| Powerbank | keep your phone charged | Browse powerbanks |
Camping on Bruny Island
Camping on Bruny Island is a very popular and cost-effective activity. The 3 most popular spots for Bruny Island camping are The Neck, Jetty Beach, and Cloudy Bay sites. All sites attract camping fees and are carried in, and carry out for rubbish. No bookings are taken. Campgrounds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
Where to stay in Hobart
Hobart these days is a sprawling city of considerable size. We recommend you stay somewhere downtown near Constitution Docks or the Sandy Point region, the historical area of Hobart. Hobart is a great city to explore on foot.
Booking.comWe hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to visit Tasmania, stay in Hobart, and take a day trip to Bruny Island.
There are so many things to do on Bruny Island with kids, singles, and couples. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Australia click through to our Australia Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.
Some more travel inspiration for your trip to Australia
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Wow, Bruny Island look so relaxing and beautiful that I want to be there right now! The sunshine and natural beauty is really captivating. Thanks for the details and I can’t wait to hop on a flight and head to Tasmania right now!
Tasmania has been on my family’s list for some time but I never knew that Hobart was such a big city. I love the wild side of Bruny and would adore diving in the region.
You definitely sold me on Bruny Island – funny, because before this I’d never heard of it! I like the sounds of seeing a place so wild and untouched!
I love learning about places I have never heard of before. It looks beautiful and peaceful! I especially loved the part where you talked about Pennicott Wilderness Journeys and their donations to conservation. I think that it is really important to utilize companies that are trying to make a difference and save this beautiful world.
I love this way the island is marketed! Sounds like my kind of experience blending a bit of luxury with the natural aspects of such a beautiful and remote area. Would love to visit!
This was a really interesting post, thanks for sharing your travel experience.
Love this in-depth piece. Bruny island looks like a wonderful destination. Did plan to do Tasmania but didn’t plan to go off the main island, will definitely look into this further.