The 16 best things to do on Bruny Island

Hiding in plain sight at the very southern tip of Bruny Island is the 114-metre-tall Cape Bruny Lighthouse, the oldest continuously manned lighthouse in all of Australia. Built in 1836, it’s also the country’s fourth-oldest lighthouse ever constructed. While it was replaced by a nearby solar-powered tower in 1996, you can still tour the cast-iron spiral stairs and hear the wild, windswept stories of the keepers who once lived there. The real highlight is climbing to the balcony, where tour guests get exclusive 360-degree views across the rugged dolerite cliffs of Cape Bruny and the wild coastline of South Bruny. 

Time Out tip: It takes around five minutes to walk from the car park to the lighthouse, so allow extra time before your tour.

If you’re looking for a lovely lunch stop, our top pick is The Izzy Bar. Just a two-minute drive from the famous Bruny Bread Fridge, this hidden gem restaurant and bar overlooks Isthmus Bay and spills out onto local owners Jen and Phil’s beautiful 22-acre garden. The signature dish here is wild-fermented Argentinian fugazza, which is pretty much a slice of thick, fluffy woodfired pizza bread topped with caramelised onion, smoked meats and cheese, then finished with homegrown greens. Add a glass of Tasmanian wine, a Bruny Islander beer or one of their signature cocktails, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect long lunch in the sun.

Time Out tip: Ask about the daily special. On our visit, we enjoyed a beautiful salad, featuring hand-picked leaves and edible flowers straight from the garden.

If you’re searching for the perfect Instagram shot (and some equally perfect baked goods), head to the charming Bruny Baker Bread Fridge in Lunawanna. Tucked under an impressive eucalypt tree, you’ll find three retro fridges, filled daily by local legend and baker, John Bullock. Fresh from his woodfired oven, it’s all self-serve here – see what’s in the fridge, pop your cash in the tin or do a bank transfer, and take the obligatory photo of this most picturesque setting. The sourdough is 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. 

Warning: Take care when pulling off the main road, as the side road is quite rocky.

Time Out tip: It’s also worth stopping at the newly launched Cookie Fridge. A fun (but unrelated) sibling to the Bread Fridge, it’s stocked with a surprise selection of treats baked by Wishful Thinking (a mobile micro bakery and coffee cart that pops up at Lunawanna Hall every Friday to Sunday from 8am to 1pm).

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.

Time Out tip: Post hike, relax on the sun-drenched deck at the Bruny Island Cruises Restaurant with fish and chips.

The beaches on Bruny are just as underrated as its hikes. Adventure Bay, on the island’s south side, is the standout, having ranked fifth on Tourism Australia’s Best Australian Beaches in 2023. 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. Facing east and nicely sheltered, the waters here 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 albino wallaby. The rare marsupials are known to frequent the bush around Adventure Bay.

Time Out tip: Just across the road, Mari Bruny is a cute Asian-inspired café open daily for lunch and dinner. Alternatively, pick up some snacks from the General Store for a picnic on the sand.

Set on a gentle-sloping vineyard on the outskirts of the township of Lunawanna is Australia's southernmost vineyard – Bruny Island Premium Wines. More than 20 years on, the Dillon family still handpick their grapes and hand-bottles their cool-climate wines, producing award-winning chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. The cellar door opens daily from 11am, serving grazing platters (Tuesday and Wednesday) and seasonal mains (Thursday to Monday) that hero local producers. Our standout dish is the pillowy gnocchi with king oyster mushrooms sourced from Bruny Island’s very own off-grid mushroom farm.

Time Out tip: Pair your meal with a self-guided beverage flight, featuring any three wines or ciders. If you’ve never tried a blapple (blackberry and apple) cider, consider this your sign.

Tucked away on six acres of pristine waterfront on the northern end of Bruny Island is Tunnel Tasmania – a luxury off-grid escape, marking the first and only Southern Hemisphere guesthouse by Danish design label Vipp. It’s arguably the most architecturally beautiful property on the entire island, featuring dancing rainbow lights, a cosy outdoor firepit, a floating balcony and an ocean-facing outdoor bath. Inside, an atrium courtyard separates the master bedroom and bathroom from the main living area, which centres on a huge sunken lounge framed by floor-to-ceiling glass overlooking the sparkling D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Tunnel Tasmania is perfect for a solo nature escape, a romantic couple’s getaway or a beautiful weekend with your besties.

Time Out tip: A detached studio with a study and a hidden mezzanine bed offers an extra pocket of seclusion – ideal for anyone planning a WFH escape or quietly working on their next great novel.

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 (four natural, four kilpatrick and four panko) to experience the full gamut of what’s on offer.  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.

Time Out tip: 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.

Bruny Island is famous for its pure white wallabies, and Adventure Bay 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're 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.

Time Out tip: Stroll around the grassy areas near the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys building at dusk.

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.

Time Out tip: Pack plenty of snacks and water, as the whole walk takes three to four hours.

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 shade of the eucalypts.

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. 

Time Out tip: No luck catching anything? Head to Bruny Island Wild, open Friday to Sunday, for woodfired pizza and weekend specials. Best to book ahead!

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 its 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.

Time Out tip: The honey ice cream is a crowd fave!

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.

Time Out tip: Tours only run from October to April, so plan wisely.