The 12 best things to do on Bruny Island

Bruny Island is famous for its pure white wallabies and Alonnah is one of the best places to spot them. These albino Bennett’s wallabies are not only adorable but incredibly rare. Their white fur and pink noses are a striking contrast to their more common grey-brown cousins. Keep an eye out at dawn and dusk, when they are most active. Explore the bush tracks and foreshore with the hope of seeing one, but keep your distance and certainly don’t feed this native wildlife.

Cheese lovers, rejoice! Bruny Island Cheese Co is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates top-notch dairy. Founded by renowned cheesemaker Nick Haddow, this boutique cheesery is known for its handmade, small-batch cheeses inspired by traditional European techniques. Their small mob of dairy cows in the Huon Valley is an example of best-practice animal husbandry, which we think makes the cheese taste even better. Our picks include the oozy, pungent 1792, matured on Huon Pine boards, or their beautifully nutty Raw Milk C2, aged for up to eight months. Pair your cheese platter with a locally brewed beer from their onsite Bruny Island Beer Co, and enjoy it under the eucalypts.

If you’re searching for the perfect Instagram shot (and some equally perfect baked goods), head to the charming Bruny Baker in Lunawanna. Tucked under an impressive eucalypt tree, you’ll find two retro fridges, filled daily by the baker himself, John Bullock each morning. Fresh from his woodfired oven, it’s all self-serve here – see what’s in the fridge, pop your money in the tin and take the obligatory photo of this most picturesque setting. The sourdoughs are made with Tasmanian flour and traditional fermentation methods, resulting in a crunchy crust and pillowy-soft inside. Other treats depend on what Bullock’s been baking, but you’ll often find chocolate-coated Anzac biscuits and spiced sultana cinnamon loaves. It’s wholesome, wholemeal goodness. 

For those looking for something as gourmet as it is adventurous, Southern Sea Ventures offers a sensational five-day paddling experience around Bruny Island. With transfers from Hobart, the lodge-based tour takes you on the water every day, giving you access to secluded coves, sea caves, lagoons and a huge kelp forest. Along the way, you’ll encounter incredible wildlife and birds while discovering Bruny from a whole new perspective. After a day on the water, unwind with Bruny Island’s finest culinary delights – think fresh oysters, artisanal cheeses and perfectly paired local wines. Guided by experts, this immersive experience is nothing short of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

After a leisurely time eating and drinking your way around the island, a good long walk should wrap up your Bruny itinerary. The East Cloudy Head Track is a 12-kilometre return hike starting with a three-kilometre stroll across the white sand of Cloudy Bay Beach  From there, you’ll ascend along a now-closed 4WD track where things can get a little steep. Your efforts are rewarded with colourful, bird-filled heathland, views along the south coast and plenty of bird life to enjoy. On clear days, you’ll be afforded views to the Bruny Island lighthouse, kunanyi/Mount Wellington or even the infamous Pedra Blanca – a rock that towers out of the water 36 kilometres offshore. The return walk follows the same track. Pack snacks and weather for all seasons. 

One of Tasmania’s most beloved beaches by tourists and locals alike is Bruny Island’s Adventure Bay. Located on North Bruny, it’s well worth even the day trip on the ferry – but even better if you can spare a weekend or longer staying in this magical place. The east-facing beach is quite sheltered, meaning waters are clear and relatively calm, and there’s lots to do in the area: cruises, kayaking, whale-watching, seal-spotting, hiking and looking for the elusive white wallaby. The rare albino marsupials are known to frequent the bush around Adventure Bay.

Surrounded by some of the most pristine waters in the world, it’s no wonder Bruny Island is famous for its oysters. With views across to the oyster farm, Get Shucked offers a bay-to-bar experience. Expert shuckers work at a furious pace, dishing up natural and cooked oysters from 9.30am to 4.30pm every day. Opt for the mixed dozen to experience the full gamut of what’s on offer, or if you’re in a hurry, pull up at the world’s first oyster drive-through and pick up a box of freshly shucked oysters with lemon wedges. For the full experience, grab a seat at the bar overlooking the water, order a glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine and slurp to your heart’s content.

Just 20 minutes from the ferry is the family-operated Bruny Island Honey. With more than 400 hives on the island, and even more across the channel, the family lives and breathes all things bees. A stop in at Bruny Island Honey offers beautiful gardens buzzing with pollinators, free tastings and a huge amount of products including mead, beeswax candles and honey-based cosmetics. There’s even an observation box – open the door to view the hive doing their impressive thing. Don’t leave without a jar or two of your favourite seasonal honey or one of their gorgeous gifts as a sweet memento.

Recognised as one of Tasmania’s 60 Best Short Walks, the Fluted Cape Circuit can easily be completed on a day trip to Bruny Island. The trailhead is located at the southern end of Adventure Bay Beach and is a steep but rewarding hike that gives you an unbeatable birds-eye view of spectacular ocean scenery from some of the highest sea cliffs in Australia. Budding bird-watchers will love being surrounded by native Tasmanian birdlife, and more animals come out to say “hi” as the day goes on. Make sure you take plenty of water for this challenging uphill climb.

North Bruny’s Dennes Point is a quiet coastal hamlet home to one of the best fishing spots on the island. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, the jetty at Dennes Point is perfect for a laid-back fishing session. Hope to reel in species like flathead, squid and barracouta. The crystal-clear and often sheltered point provides views back towards the Tasmanian mainland. No luck catching anything? Head to Bruny Island Wild, open Friday to Sunday, for woodfired pizza and weekend specials. Best to book ahead!