Camping on Bruny Island Tasmania

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Bruny Island is a stunning 362-square-kilometre island off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, Australia. Bruny Island today is known as a UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness area.

Bruny Island is home to stunning wilderness and wildlife that stretches into The Great Southern Ocean. It is home to abundant, unique Australian animals that are a must-see on any Australian trip.

Bruny Island is a short journey by vehicle and passenger ferry from Kettering, with Kettering being the only access point to the island. Kettering is about 40 minutes from Hobart via Kingston on A6 and then the B68. You can find a great article on How to get to Bruny Island from Hobart here.

Beautiful Bruny Island is a popular spot for camping, and there are sites available within the South Bruny National Park at Cloudy Bay and Jetty Beach and just outside the park on the north island at The Neck. The island has a campervan and caravan access, while tents and camping trailers are popular

A billy can boiling away on an open fire with large logs charred around it for when you are camping on Bruny Island
Mandatory credit: Tourism Tasmania & James Bowden

Cloudy Bay campsites​

There are two separate sites at Cloudy Bay, The Pines and Cloudy Corner. The Pines on Cloudy Bay Road is a small site, perfectly located for surfers, fishermen and walkers. It is a picturesque area to explore on foot or on water.

At the other end of Cloudy Bay, the Cloudy Corner requires a 3-kilometre beach drive to access the campsite. This site is larger and fits more campers. If the Pines is full check out Cloudy Corner. You can launch your boats from the beach here into the waters off Bruny Island. There is a pit toilet here and probably 20 sites spread out over a large, sheltered area. All campgrounds are carry in carry out so make sure you take your rubbish with you when you leave.

Buy your tent today for your camping trip to Bruny.

How to get to Cloudy Bay

Cloudy Bay is a 50-minute drive south of the ferry terminal on Bruny Island. Follow Lennon Rd (B66) and continue on this road as it becomes Bruny Island Main Road. Drive through Alonnah, and when you reach the T-junction in Lunawanna, take a left onto Cloudy Bay Road. The Pines Campground is sighted first on the left, about 500 metres before the road ends at Cloudy Bay Beach. The second campsite in this area is the Cloudy Corner campground, which requires a low tide and 4WD for access.

Fishing at Cloudy Bay

It is well worth the effort to visit Cloud Bay for fishing. Large leatherjackets and flathead are virtually always available. Spinning around the mouth is a prime spot for Australian salmon. Further up from the mouth is where a large population of bream call home. You can boat launch off the beach here for further fishing experiences. These are not easy to catch though. Buy your Surf Rod combo at BCF today for your Camping at Bruny Island adventure.

Bruny Island Walks at Cloudy Bay

The first three kilometres of this walk are truly memorable as you stroll along Cloudy Beaches and white sands. As you navigate away from the beach, the track follows a small creek inland. The next three kilometres are a bird watcher’s delight as you ascend to East Cloudy Head. Make sure you bring your camera to capture the views south coast of Bruny Island to The Friars and to the west and north-west over South Bruny to the southern ranges and Mt Wellington.

Time to complete the walk at Cloudy Bay:

  • It will take you approximately 4 hours to return.

Distance of the Cloudy Bay hike:

  • 12 kilometres return.

Is there car parking at the Cloudy Bay Walk?

  • There is plenty of parking at the start of the track.

Bruny Island Surfing at Cloudy Bay

Surfing on Bruny Island is a popular activity. Cloudy Bay Beach is exposed to pretty consistent surf. The best wind direction is from the north. Waves at the beach break peel off both left and right to suit all surfers. Good surf at all tide stages, but the waves can be a little flat in Summer. You will not have to fight into the lineup here, as it is rarely crowded.

Two hikers are walking through the Australian bush towards a large bay. The sun is glistening off the water an there is a haze sitting on the mountains in the distance
A Long Weekend on Bruny Island is a total immersion in the best of Tasmania’s food, wildlife, and scenery. credit: Alice Hansen

Jetty Beach campsite

Jetty Beach is a great site for families. The campground is a charming wooded area with views of the beach below. The campsite faces a white sandy beach and the calm waters of Great Taylors Bay, which offer safe swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and fishing. Pit toilets, picnic shelters, and fire rings are provided (bring your own firewood and drinking water). Buy your camping mattress today for your trip.

How to get to Jetty Beach

Jetty Beach camping area is just over an hour south of the ferry terminal. Follow the Bruny Island Main Road south through Alonnah, and when you reach the T-junction in Lunawanna, take a right onto the C629. 17 km down the road, take a right into Jetty Road. 

Fishing at Jetty Bay

You can catch Sand flathead, Australian salmon, calamari, barracouta, mullet, cod and wrasse, fishing on Bruny Island near Jetty Beach. The water near Jetty Beach and The D’Entrecasteaux Channel is a Shark Refuge Area. 

It is illegal to catch sharks, skates or rays other than elephant fish. Buy your rig and tackle today at BCF for your Bruny Island fishing adventure.

Bruny Island walks near Jetty Beach.

Many beautiful bushwalks near Jetty Beach will take you through some amazing Aussie Bush.

Labillardiere Peninsula Track

This walk is the best of both worlds. It can be enjoyed as a short loop on the Luggaboine Circuit or an all-day walk on the Peninsula Circuit. From the western side of the peninsula, there are views of the southern ranges. Returning along the eastern side, the walk follows the coastline, visiting Hopwood, Butlers, and Jetty beaches, with views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.

The peninsula is named after a botanist on Bruni D’Entrecasteaux’s 1792-94 French expedition. The views are better, and the terrain is kinder if you walk the circuit clockwise, but be aware of snakes in the summertime. Upon completion of your walk, it is recommended that you drive to the gates of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse and visit this historic site.

A rough rock formation shaped like an arch on the sand beach with a person walking through the arch. The waves are big and the sea looks rough with the cloudy skies above
An Arch you will see on the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track Mandatory credit: Tourism Australia & Graham Freeman.

The Neck Campsite

Outside the national park boundaries, camping is available in the stunning surroundings of The Neck Bruny Island Reserve. This is a sheltered area behind dunes south of the Isthmus and provides easy access to the beach. Non-treated tank water is available at this camping site. Neck Beach is a beautiful beach that you will often have to yourself. Head to the Truganini lookout just before dusk to watch the small fairy penguins come ashore. A warning: the surf conditions can be treacherous, making swimming dangerous. ​Don’t forget to bring a comfortable camp chair on your camping trip.

How to get to The Neck Campground

Bruny Island Neck Game Reserve. Follow the main road from the ferry terminal towards South Bruny National Park and turn left into the signposted camping area around 3 km past the Truganini lookout at The Neck. ​

Fishing at The Neck

This area is one of Bruny’s highlights. Neck Beach offers some of the state’s best surf fishing with reliable catches of good-sized sand flathead, large rays, strong fighting school, and gummy sharks. Large Australian salmon appear in schools, and the action is fast and furious. The best access to the beach is in front of The Neck camping ground. Buy your lures and soft plastics today at BCF.

Bruny Island walks near The Neck.

Many beautiful bush walks will show you the beauty of the unique Australian bush near The Neck on Bruny Island.

Cape Queen Elizabeth Track

The track combines bush and beach walking. It takes you between Big Lagoon and Little Lagoon before granting you amazing views of The Neck from Mars Bluff.

The track descends onto Miles Beach, where you walk to the far eastern end. Beyond the beach, you head inland to Cape Queen Elizabeth and view Adventure Bay, onto Mars Bluff and the fisherman’s shack at Miles Beach.

Time to complete the walk at the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track:

It will take approximately 3 hours to return to complete the Cape Queen Elizabeth track hike.

The distance of the Cape Queen Elizabeth hike

  • It is a 12 km return hike.

Is there car parking at the Cape Queen Elizabeth track?

There is ample car parking at the start of the track.

Where is the nearest place to eat at The Neck?

The nearest place to grab a bite to eat and get some supplies is at Alonnah General Store, 9.9 kilometres away. Next door is the Alonah Hotel, serving meals and drinks daily. The nearest restaurant is the Bruny Island Seafood Restaurant, 12.9 kilometres away.

Additional camping on Bruny Island information

With Bruny Island very popular with domestic and international tourists, some additional tips for camping at Bruny will help you plan the best Tasmania trip.

  • Bruny Island is a national park, so pets are not allowed. However, Captain Cook’s caravan park at Adventure Bay reportedly accepts animals.
  • Bring a first aid kit, as there is only one medical practice on the island with a doctor available only twice weekly.

We have a great article on how to get to Bruny Island from Hobart. This article will complement any Bruny Island travel planning you are planning. Read our Hobart to Bruny Island article here!

Camping fees on Bruny Island

​​Camping on Bruny Island is cheap and affordable. A small nightly fee and a Tasmania National Park Pass for Jetty Beach and Cloudy Bay must be paid. There is no free camping on Bruny Island.

For Jetty Beach, The Neck and Cloudy Bay, fees are as follows:

  • 1 or 2 people – $10.00 per night
  • Each additional adult (18+) – $5.00 per night
  • Each additional child (5-17, under 5 no charge) – $2.50 per night
  • Family (2 adults, 3 children) – $15.00​ per night

​The campgrounds can not be reserved. They work on a first-come, first-served basis. You will find a self-registration deposit box at each campground where you can fill in your details and pay your fees. You can only pay with cash, so please be prepared.

Fishing rules in Tasmania

Any person over 14 must have a current angling licence to fish with a rod, reel or line at any inland water in Tasmania. Bag and size limits can change from location to location. You can download the Infish app for up-to-date sizes.

Big Lagoon Bruny Island is at the north end of the Island. This lagoon can be accessed by the sandy track that leads out to Cape Queen Elizabeth. It is a popular destination for fly fishing due to its shallow nature and annual stocking of trout. The bag limit is 5 fish, with only 2 over 500mm.

Weather on Bruny Island

Bruny Island weather is unpredictable at best. Summer temperatures can rise into the high twenties, while winter can be bitterly cold if the wind blows up from Antarctica. Overall, come prepared for changing weather on Bruny Island.

We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to get your outdoor experience happening on Bruny Island. For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Australia click through to our Australia Destination Page for more brilliant inspiration.


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Author bio:

Father, husband, traveller, and chief destination manager here at Wyld Family Travel. When Mark is not discussing travel or planning travel, you will find him working in disability support. Mark is a family travel advocate, having travelled to over 45 countries with his kids from 10 months to their teenage years. You will find his work here and on other popular websites.

Having a beer in Pilsen Czech
Mark Wyld

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