best bruny island food tour

Bruny Island Traveller

What You Will Experience

Gourmet delights and artisan tastes.

Begin your journey with a sensory feast, as the Bruny Island Traveller Tour takes you through a handpicked selection of the island’s finest food offerings. Experience the joy of tasting award-winning cheeses, lovingly crafted by local artisans, and savor the freshness of oysters straight from the crystal-clear waters. Indulge in handcrafted fudge, sample locally produced honey, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch at a beachside restaurant, all complemented by premium Tasmanian wines and beers. This culinary adventure is a true testament to the island’s rich, natural bounty and the skill of its producers.

Breathtaking Natural Beauty

Its stunning natural landscapes will envelop you. From the dense, green canopies of South Bruny National Park to the rugged coastal heathlands, Bruny Island is a showcase of ecological diversity. Witness the towering Eucalypt forests, explore serene beaches, and feel the tranquillity of this untouched paradise. The tour offers ample opportunities to capture photographs, breathe in the fresh, clean air, and simply bask in the beauty of unspoiled nature.

Encounters with Wildlife

Bruny Island is not just a haven for food enthusiasts but also a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the playful antics of Bennetts wallabies, the gentle pademelons, and the nocturnal possums. Bird lovers will be thrilled to find all 12 endemic Tasmanian bird species, including the rare Forty-spotted pardalote and the swift parrot. The island’s coastline is also a haven for marine life, where you might spot seals lounging on the rocks or dolphins playfully skimming the water.

Cultural Insights and Local Stories

Throughout the tour, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the heart and soul of Bruny Island – its people. Hear the stories of local producers, learn about the island’s history and culture, and gain insights into the sustainable practices that make this place so special. These personal encounters add a rich & cultural depth to your journey, connecting you to the island in a way that goes beyond the usual tourist experience.

A Journey of Relaxation and Discovery

The Bruny Island Traveller Tour is more than just a day trip; it’s a journey that promises relaxation, discovery, and a deep connection with nature and local culture. Every aspect of the tour is thoughtfully curated to ensure an enriching, enjoyable, and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape or an adventurous exploration, this tour offers something for everyone, leaving you with lasting memories and a longing to return.

On the Menu

• Award-Winning Artisan Cheeses : Sample a variety of locally made cheeses, each boasting unique flavors and textures, a true testament to Bruny Island’s dairy excellence.
• Freshly Shucked Oysters : Enjoy delicious Bruny’s famous oysters, known for their freshness and exceptional quality.
• Premium Tasmanian Wines and Beers : Pair your meals with a selection of the finest wines and beers Tasmania has to offer, carefully chosen to complement the island’s flavors.
• Handcrafted Fudge and Chocolates : Indulge in sweet treats made by skilled local confectioners, like Bruny Island Chocolate, a delight for any chocolate and fudge aficionado.
• Local Honey Varieties : Taste the natural sweetness of Bruny Island Honey with a range of honey tastings.
• Gourmet Lunch at a Beachside Restaurant : Relish a specially prepared lunch featuring fresh, local ingredients, served in a stunning setting with views of Adventure Bay. Includes oysters, main meal and two glasses of wine, beer, cider or juices.
• Seasonal Fruit and Produce : Experience the freshness and natural taste of locally grown fruits and other produce, showcasing the island’s agricultural flora.
• Specialty Dishes Featuring Local Game and Seafood: Savor dishes crafted from locally sourced game and seafood, highlighting the island’s culinary creativity and respect for sustainable practices.
• Artisan Breads and Pastries : Enjoy freshly baked breads and pastries, a perfect accompaniment to the island’s cheeses and spreads.
• Tasmanian Ciders and Juices : Refresh with a selection of crisp, locally produced ciders and natural juices, offering a non-alcoholic taste of Tasmania’s fruit orchards.
• 7:45am Depart Hobart
• SeaLink Bruny Island Ferry crossing
• 9:30am Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Co – exclusive tasting
• 10:30am The Neck lookout
• 11:15am Mavista rainforest walk and search for white wallabies
• 12:00pm Lunch at Pennicotts – oysters, main meal and two glasses of wine, beer, cider or juices
• 1:15pm Visit Bligh Museum
• 1:45pm Two Tree Point beach walk
• 2:15pm HIBA Gardens & Bruny Island Chocolate Company
• 3:45pm Bruny Island Honey – honey ice-cream & take home tasting
• Drive thru Get Shucked Oysters for purchase
• SeaLink Bruny Island Ferry Crossing
• 5:30pm/6:00pm Arrive in Hobart

Bruny Island Food Tour General Info

• Tour Duration : This is a full-day experience, starting at 7:45am and typically returning by 6:00pm
• Departure Point : Tours depart from Hobart at the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Centre on Franklin Wharf.
• Transportation : Comfortable and climate-controlled transportation is provided for the duration of the tour, ensuring a pleasant journey to and around Bruny Island.
• Group Size: We maintain small group sizes to ensure a personalized and intimate experience. Please book in advance to secure your spot.
• Accessibility : Please contact us in advance if you have any special accessibility requirements. We strive to accommodate all our guests to ensure an enjoyable experience.
• Health and Safety : Your health and safety are our top priorities. We adhere to all government health guidelines and take extra measures to ensure a clean and safe environment.
• Dietary Requirements : We cater to various dietary needs. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies at the time of booking.
• Children : Families are welcome! Please let us know if you’re bringing children, as we offer special rates and accommodations for our younger guests.

Essential things to know before your tour

Booking in Advance is Crucial : Due to the popularity of the Bruny Island Traveller Tour and our commitment to small group experiences, it’s essential to book your tour well in advance. This ensures you secure your preferred date and avoid disappointment.

Dress Appropriately for the Weather : Tasmanian weather can be unpredictable. We recommend dressing in layers and bringing a waterproof jacket, so you’re comfortable regardless of the weather conditions.

Footwear Matters : Visitors should be aware that some of the attractions and activities require walking to enjoy the sights and experiences of Bruny Island fully; comfortable and sturdy walking shoes are a must.

Stay Hydrated and Sun-Safe: Remember to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day. On sunny days, a hat and sunscreen are advisable to protect against the sun.

Camera is a Must : Don’t forget your camera or smartphone. Bruny Island’s stunning landscapes and unique wildlife offer countless photo opportunities. The sightseeing photos are great memories share later on!

Be Prepared for Mobile Service Variability : Mobile phone reception can be patchy on Bruny Island. Take this opportunity to disconnect and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and tranquility of the island.

Respect the Wildlife : Bruny Island is home to diverse wildlife. We ask that you respect their habitat by observing from a distance and not feeding or disturbing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of farms will we visit on the bruny island food tour.

The tour includes visits to local farms where you can experience the island’s rich agricultural heritage. You’ll get to see and taste fresh produce directly from the source, including artisan cheeses and organic fruits.

Will our guide provide detailed information about the places we visit?

Absolutely! Our knowledgeable guides are passionate about Bruny Island and will provide in-depth information about each location, including stories about the island’s culture, history, and natural environment.

Are there family-friendly places included in the tour?

Yes, it is family-friendly, with several stops that are enjoyable for all ages. From animal encounters on farms to relaxing beaches with stunning views, there’s something for everyone in the family.

What kind of views can we expect to see during the tour?

Expect to be mesmerized by panoramic views of pristine beaches, rugged coastlines, lush forests, and rolling hills. Bruny Island’s natural beauty is a highlight of the tour, offering breathtaking photo opportunities.

Is the tour suitable for visitors with dietary restrictions?

Yes, we cater to various dietary needs. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions when booking, so we can ensure you have a delightful culinary experience throughout the tour.

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The Best Bruny Island Day Tour of Gourmet Food & Sightseeing [updated 2024]

Are you looking for a unique and unforgettable Australian adventure? Look no further than Bruny Island, an idyllic paradise located just off the coast of Tasmania. Known for its stunning natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and rich culinary scene, Bruny Island offers a perfect day tour destination for nature enthusiasts and food lovers alike. Whether you’re interested in exploring pristine beaches, spotting seals and dolphins, indulging in delicious local produce or all of the above, a Bruny Island day tour promises to be an enriching experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Bruny Island abounds with nature, pristine beaches, gourmet produce, wines, whiskey, cheese, honey, its world-famous oysters and a stunning coastline that equals anywhere else in the world. We were smitten after our day tour to Bruny Island, you will be too! You may even be lucky enough to see the white wallabies around Mount Mangana.

We visited Bruny Island with Bruny Island Safaris on their Bruny Island Full Day Food, Lighthouse and Sightseeing Tour. For more information, latest prices and availability click here .

We joined the tour in Hobart where we were staying at the new centrally located and hip Vibe Hotel .

You can read our review of our stay at the Vibe Hotel in Hobart here .

When is the best time to visit Bruny Island?

Bruny Island weather conditions are perfect for travel between September and February.  We travelled in the month of April where the weather was cooler, brisk mornings and bright brilliant blue skies.

There are so many things to do in Bruny Island , one day won’t be enough.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our  disclosure for more information. 

We have put together a YouTube video of the highlights of our Bruny Island Day Trip, you can view it here.

Bruny Island Map

The map of Bruny Island shows North Bruny Island and South Bruny Island separated by the Isthmus known as The Neck.

Our Bruny Island Day Tour of Gourmet Food & Sightseeing

Bruny Island Safaris were our choice for the day tour of gourmet food, Cape Bruny Lighthouse tour, and sightseeing.  Our guide, Rick, a local of Bruny Island, was our bus driver, if you are lucky enough to get Rick for the day you are in for a great day out full of fun and laughter.

Our departure from Hobart was around 7 a.m. Rick was keen to get us to Kettering where the Sealink Ferry departs for Bruny Island for the 8.30 am crossing. Hobart to Bruny Island is an easy journey. We made it in great time and even had time to enjoy a coffee and freshly baked muffins from the Mermaid Cafe at the Ferry Port.  If you missed out on breakfast due to the early start of the tour we can highly recommend the steaming hot coffee and the scrumptious berry muffins.

Travel tip : This is the last toilet stop until after the first picnic stop on the island.

During the ferry crossing of 20 minutes, you can leave the bus and walk around the deck to take photos.  It can be a bit breezy so make sure you have a jacket.

After stopping at Get Shucked Oysters to collect enough oysters for the group and another stop at the Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Compan y for freshly baked sourdough baguettes and the three kinds of cheese that we were tasting we drove to one of the prettiest spots on South Bruny Island – Two Tree Point – Resolution Creek Historic Site in Adventure Bay for a picnic.

Two Tree Point has changed little since 1792, so the sign states at the site.  The site was known as the ‘watering place’ and was noted on the navigational charts in 1773 of Captain Furneaux on his ship the Adventure and for Captain James Cook in 1777 on his ship the Resolution.  This waterway provided freshwater supplies for both expeditions. Later the watering place was named Resolution River by Captain William Bligh when he sailed on the Bounty in the area in 1788.  When Captain Bligh next visited the area in 1792 on the Providence, Lieutenant Tobin painted Two Tree Point showing the two Eucalyptus trees which date back to over 250 years of age.

The oyster lovers in our group remarked how good the oysters were from Get Shucked. The three kinds of cheese tasted were some of the best.

If you are heading to the Bruny Island Cheese Company we can recommend:

• o.d.o . – stands for one day old, fresh cow milk cheese marinated in olive oil
• 1792 – named after the year the French first set foot in Tasmania – cows milk soft cheese with the rind washed with huon pine
• George – semi-hard cheese with a natural rind aged for 6 – 8 months

Next, we were off to find the wild white wallaby (aka the Bennetts Wallaby) that roams in the Mount Mangana Rainforest.  Over the last few weeks sightings had occurred but today we were out of luck. Currently, there are over 200 white wallabies on the island, they are prone to skin cancers and are sun-sensitive.  They can only be found on Bruny Island.  They have survived because of a lack of predators and with the support of the locals.

The journey through the rainforest was very scenic. Along the way Rick stopped to allow us to try the Tasmanian Pepper Berry – the berry when dried can be used as pepper, it certainly had a kick to it. Mount Mangana is the highest peak on Bruny Island at 571m.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Cape Bruny Lighthouse was constructed during 1834 – 1836, and was the fourth lighthouse to be built in Australia, and is the 2nd oldest still-standing lighthouse in Australia. It is located on South Bruny Island in the South Bruny Island National Park.

As part of the Bruny Island Safari, you have your own private tour with a local guide for a 20-minute tour. NB : The climb to the top of the lighthouse is suitable for all levels of fitness.

Our guide explained the history of the lighthouse and how it was constructed by 12 convicts in 18 months.  They were granted their freedom after the completion of the Lighthouse.  The first light shone was in 1838. The original light consisted of 15 whale oil lamps, the oil came from sperm whales. In 1902 the whale oil lamps were replaced with a single kerosene light which needed pumping every hour. If there was a draught the flame would go out.

In the 1980s automation began in the lighthouses around Australia and by 1996 the Cape Bruny Lighthouse was decommissioned and a smaller autonomous lighthouse was built on the hill to the east.

As part of your visit to the Cape Bruny Island Lighthouse, you have time to visit the small museum near the car park, the original Lightkeeper’s Cottage, the gravesite and the convict garden.

Travel tip:  The Lighthouse is located in the National Park and there will be a National Parks Fee if you visit on your own.

Lunch at the Hotel Bruny

One of the popular places to eat is Hotel Bruny . Our lunch at Hotel Bruny was included as part of our tour costs.  Produce is locally sourced and the portion sizes are large. Excellent food!

Travel tip : try the local Apple & Cherry Cider from Bruny Island that can only be purchased from the hotel.  It has no sugar and 8% proof.

Address: 3959 Bruny Island Main Rd, Alonnah

Open from 11 am to late

Reservations are required you can phone (03) 6293 1148.

As part of the Bruny Island Safaris, we had priority seating so it is recommended to book ahead, it was quite busy if you are visiting the island on your own.

Bruny Island Chocolate Company

Bruny Island Chocolate Company is famous for its fudge.  We have tasted fudge all over the world but there is nothing quite like their products.  Why is it different? Most fudge that we have tasted is sugary and gritty. Bruny Island Fudge is very smooth and velvety.  It is made by Chef Michael Carnes from a 40-year-old recipe from when he was working as a pastry Chef in an English hotel.

You can also purchase chocolates, truffles, sauces, jams and they even have an on-site whiskey distillery – Houndstooth Whiskey distillery that they bottle and also use in the whiskey fudge.

Address: 55 Adventure Bay Road Adventure Bay

The Neck Lookout & Wildlife Reserve and Truganini Lookout

The Neck is a narrow isthmus that joins North Bruny to South Bruny. There is a small car park at the bottom of the lookout. We can recommend climbing the 200 steps to the Truganini Lookout for 360 degrees views over both islands.

The lookout has been dedicated to Truganini , who was a full-blooded aboriginal born on Bruny Island, in 1812 and died in 1876. She was the daughter of one of the aboriginal leaders of Bruny Island.

Between the months of September and February, the little penguins come out at dusk. They may cross the isthmus so you do need to take care.

Travel Tip:  Do not use the flash on your camera when taking photos of the little penguins. Do not use flashlights either.  There will be a Park Ranger who can supply red plastic that you can place over your flashlight.

Bruny Island Honey Shop

Honey tasting and ice cream eating if you have any room left after your lunch at the Hotel Bruny and the chocolate and fudge tasting. Not only are there a range of different types of honey to purchase, there are also honey-based face and hand creams, books, apparel, sweet treats and condiments.

Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Company

As a group, our timekeeping was impeccable, so much so, that we had time to head back to the Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Company to purchase cheese, enjoy the local craft beers, wines or just have a coffee.

Having caught the 4.30 ferry back to the mainland we arrived back in Hobart before 6, just in time to head out for more local food, wine and beer.

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Sydney to Canberra Road Trip

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In conclusion, a Bruny Island Day Tour offers a truly unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers. From the stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife to the delicious local produce and charming coastal towns, there is something for everyone to enjoy on this unique island. Whether you choose to explore by foot, boat or vehicle, you will be captivated by the natural beauty that surrounds you at every turn.

So, pack your bags and embark on a journey of discovery with a Bruny Island Day Tour – an adventure that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

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We always recommend travel insurance when you travel. The best time to take out your policy is when you book flights and hotels and pay for deposits on tours and cruises.

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Wow it looks so beautiful! I had no idea about bruny island! It looks so amazing, would want to go there!

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Let us give you a taste of life on Bruny Island.

Bruny island traveller is a full day tour from hobart.  taste your way across bruny island, visiting some of our renowned artisan producers on an all inclusive gourmet wilderness adventure whilst discovering the spectacular scenery and cultural heritage of tasmania's favourite island..

Be prepared for a delicious day out where you will enjoy award winning cheeses, premium wines and beer, freshly shucked oysters, handcrafted fudge, local honey and a delicious lunch at Pennicott's beachside restaurant with sweeping views of Adventure Bay.

Meet and hear the stories of island producers including an exclusive cheese and beer experience at Bruny Island Cheese company and sweet taste sensations from Bruny Island Chocolate Company and Bruny Island Honey.

Get Shucked’s famous Bruny oysters will be served alongside lunch. We recommend the premium Tasmanian fish, chips and salad to keep you fuelled as you continue exploring. Lunch is accompanied by two glasses of quality Tasmanian wine, beer, cider or juices.

Itinerary & Prices          Book Now   

Delicious Bruny Island produce, spectacular scenery

Delight in a relaxing tour of HIBA’s 50 acres of private English and native gardens overlooking Adventure Bay before being treated to fudge in the tranquil surrounds.

Be inspired by island anecdotes of flora, fauna and history as told by our guides and storytellers. See local aboriginal artefacts. Wonder at the Bligh Museum, with tall tales of Adventure Bay explorers.

The Wilderness

Your adventure highlights the unique natural environment of Bruny Island. Take in the glorious views from the iconic Neck Lookout, climbing the 240 wooden steps to take in the narrow isthmus between north and south Bruny Island. Step back in time with a walk through the ancient Mavista Rainforest and breathe in the cleanest air as you stroll under the towering canopy. Keep an eye out for the rare white wallabies that thrive on our private reserve.

TOUR DETAILS

• Departing from Hobart
• Departing from Kettering

Bruny Island Traveller 

Taste your way across Bruny Island visiting some of our favourite artisan producers on a gourmet adventure whilst taking in the spectacular scenery of Tasmania's favourite island.

• 7:45am Depart Hobart
• SeaLink Bruny Island Ferry crossing
• 9:30am  Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Co - exclusive tasting
• 10:30am The Neck lookout
• 11:15am Mavista rainforest walk and search for white wallabies
• 12:00pm Lunch at Pennicotts - oysters, main meal and two glasses of wine, beer, cider or juices
• 1:15pm Visit Bligh Museum
• 1:45pm  Two Tree Point beach walk
• 2:15pm  HIBA Gardens & Bruny Island Chocolate Company
• 3:45pm  Bruny Island Honey - honey ice-cream & take home tasting
• Drive thru Get Shucked Oysters for purchase
• SeaLink Bruny Island Ferry Crossing
• 5:30pm/6:00pm Arrive in Hobart

Departure Point

Departs Hobart at 7:45am daily. We can pick you up from some Hobart CBD hotels or meet us at our Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre situated on Franklin Wharf, next to the Constitution Dock Lifting Bridge on Hobart's waterfront.  Tour returns to Hobart at 5:30/6:00pm with CBD hotel drop off.

Things To Bring

We suggest wearing warm, comfortable clothing.  It's a good idea to bring a jacket and don't forget your camera as there are plenty of photo opportunities!

Bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions .

For information about accessibility  download our Accessibility Guide

Our Flexible Cancellation Policy   

If you book directly with us, we have a very flexible cancellation policy:

• No cancellation fees if you need to cancel due to COVID  right up to the time of departure.  This includes if you are unwell or if you have to change your travel plans due to flight changes or travel restrictions.  We will happily move your booking to another day or provide you with a full refund.  Please note you need to advise us prior to departure so that we have an opportunity to re-sell the seats. 
• For non-COVID related cancellations our normal cancellation policy applies . We reserve the right to charge 100% for cancellations within 24 hours of departure.  Bookings are fully flexible up to 24 hours prior to the tour departure. 

Please note that if you book through a third-party website or travel agent, they each impose their own cancellation policies and restrictions.  

Duration   10 Hours (7:45am - 6:00pm)

Operates   Daily, except Christmas Day

Departs From Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Dock Head Building Franklin Wharf Hobart TAS 7000 View on Map

Prices $265 per adult $230 per child (4-17yrs)

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Pennicott Wilderness Journeys acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Dock Head Building Franklin Wharf, Hobart

(03) 6234 4270

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[email protected]

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Explore Bruny Island With Us

Hop on an unforgettable journey with Bruny Island Safaris, your ultimate guide to the enchanting landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Bruny Island, Tasmania. From the serene beaches to the lush forests, our tours offer a kaleidoscope of experiences, meticulously designed to showcase the island’s natural wonders and culinary delights. 

We ensure your adventure is both extraordinary and value-packed. Join us as we unveil the diverse activities and sights that make Bruny Island a must-visit destination on your Tasmanian itinerary.

Bruny Island Safaris Tours

Climb the Cape Bruny Lighthouse and walk the outer balcony, discover the rich island history, eat the produce, and hear the stories of life on Bruny Island with our local guides.

Bruny Island sits off the Southeast Coast of Tasmania. The local Bruny Island community is producing some of the finest food products in Tasmania and on the world stage, making this one of the best Islands to discover amazing food and spectacular wild scenery in Tasmania. 

Short Walks

White wallaby, morning tea, cape bruny lighthouse, truganini lookout, ferry included, lighthouse tour, bruny honey, cape bruny lighthouse tours & sunset experiences.

The Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the only Southern Tasmanian Lighthouse open for tours. The heritage-listed 1836 (First lit 1838) Cape Bruny Lighthouse towers 114m above dramatic cliff tops and coves that form this wild rugged Tasmanian coastline of Cape Bruny. John Lee Archer, the famous architect that designed many well-known structures around the world was well ahead of his time and the iconic Lighthouse he designed still stands proud today.

Your Ultimate Bruny Island Itinerary

Planning your visit to Bruny Island has never been easier with our tailored safaris that cater to every interest. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast keen on exploring the island’s diverse ecosystems or a foodie eager to indulge in local Tasmanian produce, our Bruny Island itinerary is designed to offer a comprehensive and immersive experience. From the Bruny Island to Hobart journey back, every moment is an adventure waiting to unfold.

What to Do on Bruny Island Tasmania

Discover the heart and soul of Bruny Island tourism with activities that span across the stunning landscapes and vibrant communities of the island. Visiting Bruny Island offers a plethora of experiences, from witnessing the majestic lighthouse views to tasting the island’s famed artisan cheeses. 

Let us guide you through the best of what to do on Bruny Island Tasmania and what this place has to offer.

The Essence of Bruny Island Tourism

Bruny Island tourism thrives on its natural beauty and the warmth of its community. Our tours are designed not just to explore but to connect with the essence of the island, understanding its history, culture, and environmental significance. Whether it’s the panoramic vistas or the intimate wildlife encounters, Bruny Island promises an enriching experience for all who visit.

What to See on Bruny Island

The question isn’t what to see on Bruny Island , but what you can’t. From the breathtaking Neck Lookout to the serene Echo Sugarloaf Reserve, the island is a mosaic of picturesque landscapes and wildlife. With our day to day tour Bruny, we ensure you don’t miss a thing, making every moment count on this Tasmanian jewel.

Premium Experiences with Bruny Island Premium Safaris

Upgrade your adventure with our Bruny Island Premium Safaris. Tailored for those seeking an exclusive experience, our premium safaris offer a deeper dive into the island’s treasures, combining luxury with the wild beauty of Bruny. From private tastings to secluded beach visits, indulge in the extraordinary.

Ready for an adventure that tantalises your senses and soothes your soul? Discover the magic of Bruny Island with us. From the stunning landscapes to the warm, inviting culture, let Bruny Island Safaris be your gateway to an unforgettable Tasmanian adventure. Don’t just take our word for it; experience the beauty and thrill of Bruny Island firsthand.

Book your safari today and let the wonders of Bruny Island unfold before you.

Explore Bruny with us!

Tours developed by Craig Parsey, who lived at many of Tasmania’s remote Lighthouses with his family during the 1970’s.

Our Mission

Frequently Asked Questions About Bruny Island Ferry Cost

How much does the bruny island ferry cost.

The Bruny Island ferry cost varies depending on vehicle type and passenger numbers. Our tours include all transportation costs, providing a hassle-free experience.

What are the top activities when visiting Bruny Island?

Visiting Bruny Island is a cornucopia of activities, from hiking and wildlife spotting to savouring local gourmet foods. Our tours are designed to offer a diverse range of experiences.

Can I customise my Bruny Island itinerary?

Absolutely! We’re happy to tailor your Bruny Island itinerary to suit your preferences, ensuring a personal and unforgettable journey.

How long is the journey from Bruny Island to Hobart?

A: The journey from Bruny Island to Hobart typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, including the ferry ride, offering scenic views along the way.

Why is Bruny Island a key destination in Tasmania?

Bruny Island tourism is renowned for its untouched natural beauty, rich wildlife, and culinary excellence, making it a quintessential Tasmanian experience.

*Please note – Your Parks Pass is covered on our full day tours.

Bruny Island Tours

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About Bruny Island Tours

About bruny island.

Bruny Island, a 362-square-kilometre island located off the south-eastern coast of Tasmania, is one of the most beautiful and pristine locations in Australia. Roughly 100 kilometres in length, the Island is tied together by a narrow strip of land called The Neck. Access is via a twenty minute car-ferry chug from the mainland of Tasmania Kettering to North Bruny.

Bruny Island is famous for beautifully preserved natural environments with world class beaches, national parks, stunning cliff top views and abundant wildlife matched with the finest local produce. If you have a taste for the freshest of oysters, incredible cheese and premium quality wine then you will not be disappointed. The Island is also home to plenty of unique wildlife such as the White Wallaby, penguins, fur seals, dolphins and whales off the coast.

Exploring and immersing yourself in nature. Climbing to the top of the sand hummock and looking out across the Neck, bushwalking around South Bruny National Park and Lighthouse, surfing at Cloudy Bay Beach, and observing seabirds in the shallows of Daniels Bay at Lunawanna.

Make sure you bring your camera, book a multi-day trip and make the most of an incredible place.

Attractions

The Neck This narrow stretch of land joining North and South Bruny is one of the most scenic points on the entire island. Park in the small car park and take a quick hike up the staircase to Truganini Lookout, you will be rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views. The beach on the eastern side of The Neck is home to penguins. ​

Cape Bruny Lighthouse The Cape Bruny Lighthouse is located on the southernmost point of the island. It is a very scenic drive to get here, taking approximately 45 minutes from The Neck. The Bruny Island Lighthouse was first lit in 1838 and is the second oldest lighthouse in Australia. Windswept coastlines, wild birds, rolling hills, and wide beaches…this is a beautiful spot that is definitely worth visiting.

South Bruny National Park South Bruny National Park encompasses most of the southern island of Bruny Island. The national park includes the Cape Bruny Lighthouse, Cloudy Bay, Adventure Bay, Fluted Cape, and more. Adventure Bay and Jetty Beach provide safe, sheltered areas for swimming, while Cloudy Bay is a popular spot for experienced surfers. One of the best places to spot whales is at Adventure Bay during June to October. There are numerous walking trails just waiting to be explored. From the short stroll to the remains of an old whaling station at Grass Point, to a two hour walk to visit Fluted Cape, where you will have views out to the Tasman Peninsula and the coastal cliffs on Bruny Island.

Bruny Island Day Tours From Hobart

Bruny Island Day Tour Join a Bruny Island Day Trip from Hobart with Bruny Island Safaris, Tassie Tours or Heart of Tasmania to experience the essentials of Bruny is a short period of time. Experience spectacular scenery and indulge in delicious Bruny Island produce on this full day tour. Sit back, relax and get transported to Bruny while listening to the expert commentary on the way. Tours offer pick ups in and around the Hobart CBD, depart in the morning and arrive back in the evening with no worries.

Bruny Island Gourmet Day Tour Explore spectacular landscapes and gourmet local produce on this 7 Course Gourmet Food Tour. Savour cheese, oysters, berries, local meat, fudge, whisky and wine. Tour departs Hobart at 7.45am daily with pickup from your Hobart CBD hotel or meet at Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre situated on Franklin Wharf. Tour returns to Hobart at 5.30pm with CBD hotel drop off.

Bruny Island Bushwalking Tour Including Lunch Nature Day Tour and Bushwalk to Mars Bluff on the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track, including Picnic Lunch, Truganini Lookout, Neck Wildlife Zone, and Food Producer visits. Learning about the small animals and birds that live in the bushland, lagoons, and dunes. Walk duration up to 5 hours with picnic lunch near the beach and morning tea in the bush. Tour departs Hobart by 7:30am & returns by 6pm (Approximately).

Bruny Island Overnight Experiences

​Fancy a longer stay at Bruny Island? Check out overnight experiences on Bruny Island!

Bruny Island Overnight Explorer The Bruny Island Overnight Explorer is ideal for couples, work getaways and small groups. Explore nature and wilderness on Bruny Island at a slower pace. Tour includes sumptuous Bruny Island Winery lunch and evening meal at Hotel Bruny on day one, and Bruny Island Cheese & Beer for lunch and then on to The Get Shucked Oyster Bar on day two. Enjoy a bushwalk to Fluted Cape to take in the dramatic coastlines & private Guided Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour. Optional Bruny Island Boat Cruise. Pick up from Hotel by 7:30 am. Duration: 36 hours

Fossick Overnight Bruny Island Experiences A truly unique experience filled with tastes, sights and adventures. Depart from Hobart to Bruny Island for two or three unforgettable days of fine food, wilderness cruising, and relaxing at the boutique Adventure Bay Retreat. This personally fully guided tour allows you to indulge in premium, local gourmet food & explore beautilful wilderness with enough space & time through each day, and relax every night in your private luxury accommodation on Bruny Island. Duration: 2 Days/1 Night or 3 Days/2 Nights

Bruny Island Cruises

Bruny Island Cruises, the original and most famous of the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, provides an unforgettable cruise exploring the rugged coastline of the South Bruny National Park. Operating since 1999 the award-winning 3 hour cruise departs from Adventure Bay and takes you up close to the awesome ‘breathing Roack”, into deep sea caves, where the Tasman Sea meets the Mighty Ocean.

The custom-built yellow boats are fast, safe, comfortable & hold a maximum of 43 guests. It is specially designed to get you close to abundant coastal local wildlife like albatross, sea birds, dolphins, seals and migrating whales. Tours operate every day of the year, except Christmas Day. Guests can drive themselves to Adventure Bay, meet the tour bus at Kettering or join the full day tour from Hobart including meals, transfers and sightseeing.

3 Hour Wilderness Cruise The three hour cruise departs daily all year round from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre at 1005 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay on Bruny Island at 10:00am ,11am, 1:30pm & 2:15pm.

Kettering Pickup Leave your car at Kettering and join the daily guided tour bus. The bus departs at 8.45am from the Oyster Cove Marina in Kettering, where there is ample free parking available. Returns 4.45pm.

Full Day Tour from Hobart Escape to Bruny Island for the day including scenic guided bus tour, ferry crossing to Bruny Island, morning tea, 3 hour wilderness cruise and delicious fresh lunch at the Seafood Restaurant at Adventure Bay with time to relax on the beach.

Departure Point: The Full Day Tour departs from the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre. This is situated on Hobart's waterfront on Franklin Wharf, next to the Constitution Dock Lifting Bridge. Please check-in by 7.30am for an 7.45am departure. The bus departs Adventure Bay at 3.15pm to arrive back to Hobart at 5.30pm. ​Duration: 10 hours (approx)

Shore Excursions For Cruise Ship Passengers

Visit the wonderful Bruny Island white you are in port in Hobart on this short excursion that is suitable for Cruise ship guests The Cruise Ship Shore Excursion - Bruny Island Day Tour highlights the island's main attractions & nature walks such as The Neck, Mount Mangana, Adventure Bay, South Bruny National Park.

Tour includes sightseeing and nature, a return ferry crossing from Kettering, the Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour on Bruny Island and food tastings from oysters to cider, chocolate, fudge and artisan cheeses. Keeping your eyes open for native wildlife like white wallabies. Tour offers pick ups in and around Hobart CBD.

Getting To Bruny Island

The only way onto the island is by ferry. The Bruny Island ferry departs from a town called Kettering, which is about 30 minute drive outside of Hobart. Leaving every half hour from 7.30 am with the last return crossing departing at 7.15 pm, the ferry operates seven days a week, year-round.

The ferry trip takes 20 minutes and during the ride you have excellent views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. It is a vehicle ferry so you can drive your car right onto Bruny Island. It costs $33 for a private vehicle and $70 each way if towing a boat or caravan.

• No requirement to book, purchase ticket upon arrival
• Please arrive at least 20 mins prior to departure
• All fares are for the return trip
• Passengers travel free of charge
• Tickets are open return and valid for any day.
• EFTPOS paywave and paypass are available.

Getting Around

You’ll need your own wheels to get around on Bruny – there is no scheduled public transport & no car hire on the island. Bring your car with you on The Bruny Island Ferry, The Mirambeena, departing daily from Kettering, a 30-minute drive from Hobart. Follow the Bruny Island Main Road from the ferry terminal.

Bruny Island is approximately 100 km from one end to the other. It will take about 40 minutes to drive between the ferry and Adventure Bay or Allonah at the north of the South Island. Then another half an hour or so from there down to Cape Bruny.

Please note that much of Bruny Island is gravel road. The advisory speed limit drops to 45 km/h on many parts of the main road between dusk and dawn - due to the danger of hitting wildlife. There are no facilities provided on the narrow shoulders for cyclists.

Hikes & Trails

Bruny Island has wonderful enchanting range of walks. Get those walking shoes out & discover Bruny’s diverse landscapes & untouched wonders. There are several full day & multi-day bushing walking tours with all the creature comforts & experienced local guides to accompany you each step of the way. Check out our rundown of Bruny Island’s best walks.

Alonnah Sheepwash Track An easy short walk for nature lovers, 3 km return, 1 hour, suitable for all ages, alow for a bik ride, dog walk. This track located in Alonnah start point can be access from Pontoon area or direct access from Manfield Seaside Bruny Island or end point at Mandala Bruny Island. This track has ample parking at end of Pontoon Road and picnic area.

Fluted Cape Trail in Adventure Bay A moderate to hard walk, 2 KM – 6 KM (circuit) return, 2½ hours, not suitable for young children. From Grass Point, the track climbs steeply to the summit of Fluted Cape (272m), taking in crystal blue waters, spectacular high see cliff and unique wildlife. You may spot famous white wallaby, sea eagle or a whale at Grass Point during the migration season.

Cape Queen Elizabeth Track A moderate to hard walk of 12km return within the Bruny Island Neck Game Reserve, 3 hours, not suitable for young children. Walk commences at a 4WD track just north of the Bruny Island International Airport with stunning beaches, incredible rock formation, rare birdlife and epic views of The Neck and Adventure Bay.

East Cloudy Bay Head Track 12 KM return, 4 hours, not suitable for young children, suggested for amateur adventurers. The access to this track is from the end of Cloudy Bay Road. The first 3 KM of the walk is along beautiful white sands of Cloudy Beach, with the remainder along a disused 4WD track. From here you will enjoy breathtaking views of the south coast of Bruny Island to the west, north-west to the southern ranges and Mt Wellington.

Labillardiere Peninsula Circuit An easy 5 hours walk with great views, 14 KM circuit, not suitable for young children. It starts from Old Jetty Road, just before Cape Bruny Lighthouse a sign marks access to Peninsula Walking Track. The track offers a stunning coastal view of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, beautiful forests filled with heathland and eucalypt, as well as an abundance of native flowers and birds. Suggested route is clockwise.

Bruny Island Weather

For many people, the best time to visit Bruny Island are the driest, warmest months, September–February as your chances of seeing the penguins are higher. But Bruny Island is open all year round. 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). The wettest month is March with an average of 50mm of rain. The Bruny Island weather can be ever changing so pack accordingly.

The autumn months of March, April and May is a season for wines, fresh Pacific oysters & the famous Fagus tree changing to glorious reds and yellows. If you want to see southern right and humpback whales, the best time to visit Bruny Island is when their migratory path passes the east coast in May, June and July, and back again in September, October and November. The winter months are still wonderful for hiking, with temperatures between June and August an average maximum of 12°C.

Read Bruny Island Tours Reviews

Christine n.

Great guide!! Very knowledgeable and friendly. Happy to answer questions and interacted well with group. Lunch at Hotel was magnificent!!

Eduardo Esteban Olivares Orrego

Jodi is a great guide on the tour, picked up on time, Jodi knowledge about Bruny island was impressive, she was kind, helpful, friendly. I and my partner has an great experience.

Carrie Enter

Highly recommend taking this trip. Great experience, nice crew, amazing scenery. Knowledgeable bus driver and skipper on the boat. Spotted a lot of wildlife and had a great lunch after the cruise

Sidney Pearce

Dave our tour driver and leader was exceptional especially his knowledge of Tasmania particularly Bruny Island. Group of 12 people was just enough size.Highly recommend bus tour because you learn more with local people than driving in your own car.

If only they had a category I could choose that was higher than Excellent. Exceptional team, fantastic tour, amazing tour food! Was my best day in Tassie. Thank you Liam and the whole team.

Ellen Juhasz

Andrew was informative, entertaining and responsive to questions. We recommend this tour to other visitors to Tasmania. We really appreciated the early morning pickup being exactly on time.

Helen Nottidge

Kate our skipper and Jordy the deckie were great, knowledgable about the wildlife/environment, they love their jobs

Neil Mulherin

Grant was fantastic. His knowledge of the island was invaluable. As we had a little time, he let us quickly stop to buy cheese from the cheese, we got to taste at mornings tea. I was quick. The island is beautiful and well worth exploring.

Susan Coombes

Great value for money. Staff and drivers made it a great experience.

Gelina Salom

Very informative cruise, great attraction & facilities during the tour.

Anmaree Wegener

Allen our guide & driver for the day was great. He was courteous, polite, friendly, knowledgeable of the Island & a pleasure to spend the day with. Thank you.

Kaylene Burke

Sam our driver and guide was phenomenal. First class service all day long. All of the products we sampled were first class. The weather was perfect which made our bush and beach walks magical. The day was a great mix of gourmet product tasting and outdoor activities. I can highly recommend this day out.

Kerryn Riddell

Kieran was an excellent host and we had a great tim

Tonya Cunningham

Great tour to Port Arthur. Our guide Mark made the trip informative, humourous & efficient. Truly enjoyed it!

An amazing day that could not have started any better than with beer and cheese. Allen kept us entertained with his local knowledge and cleverly moved things around on the tour to stay one step ahead of the weather.

Thanks for the opportunity to give our amazing driver/guide Sam another pat on the back. He was excellent. He even makes good coffee. The whole Bruny Island experience, including the weather, was excellent.

Matt Henricksen

The guide was a real asset. His commentary and humour filled in where the weather could not.

$77 Port Arthur trip is a fair price and the day I went was sunny and warm. Mark who was our tour guide as a local people has a lot of knowledge about the place and very kind to share with us. I definitely recommend this trip to you all.

Rick was an awesome guide, we visited many places on Bruny Island and the time allocated for each activity was prefect.

Kim Maybery

Very well looked after by our hosts - Skipper Ben and side kick. A very memorable trip and we would highly recommend to others.

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Bruny Island Tours News

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Introducing the Private Bruny Island Tour - an exclusive, personalized day tour to Bruny Island from Hobart. We cater to groups of 2 to 10 people, providing a tailored experience filled with culinary delights and captivating sights. Let us take

Introducing the Private Bruny Island Tour - an exclusive, personalized day tour to Bruny Island from Hobart. We cater to groups of 2 to 10 people, providing a tailored experience filled with culinary delights and captivating sights. Let us take care of everything while you immerse yourself in the beauty of Bruny Island.

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Top 9 Bruny Island tours

Kate Bettes

Travel Journalist

15 February 2023

We’ve lined up the best tours to take on Lunawanna-Alonnah, also known as Bruny Island.

A growing number of travellers are being drawn down south from Hobart to the stark and beautiful wilderness that is Bruny Island. And with stunning beaches, waters brimming with oysters, locally crafted cheese, whiskies and beers, and magical hikes among the invigorating sea air , all available just an hour away, who can blame them?

The twin island of Bruny, also known as Lunawanna-Alonnah to First Nations peoples, has plenty on offer for the adventurous. But if you only have time for a day trip , don’t waste a moment! Instead, book one of these tours to make the most of your time there.

Bruny Island food tours

Bruny island foods, sightseeing and lighthouse tour by bruny island safari tours.

Price: From $215 for adults

This fully guided day tour from Bruny Island Safari Tours takes in the best of the island. And of course, this means sampling the produce that Bruny is most famous for; fresh, plump oysters, drams of Tasmanian distilled whisky, traditionally matured cheeses dished up on generous platters and pints of locally brewed, malty beer.

Get Shucked harvests fresh oysters before plating them up. (Image: Adam Gibson)

But you won’t have to loosen your belt too much. Starting from Hobart on the Bruny Island Foods, Sightseeing and Lighthouse Tour , as a group you’ll take the SeaLink ferry to explore the Mount Mangana rainforests, search for elusive white wallabies at Adventure Bay, traverse The Neck Lookout and Wildlife Reserve and climb the staircase of the Cape Bruny Island Lighthouse (the only Southern Tasmanian lighthouse open for tours). The tour includes lunch, tastings and morning tea.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse overlooks stunning views of the island. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Bruny Island Magic Gourmet Food Tour by Tasmania Gourmet Food Tours

Price: From $390

This Hobart-based company specialises in small-group gourmet food tours, with trips available around both the Huon Valley and the Derwent Valley. When you book onto their Bruny Island Magic Gourmet Food Tour , you’ll start the day munching on flaky delicacies at a patisserie in Hobart before heading off for the ferry.

Between enjoying the rugged scenery, stop by Bruny Island Premium Wines for a gourmet lunch and wine tasting. And you’re not done yet — there are also cheese, oyster and whisky tastings to come.

Bruny Island Traveller by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys

Price: From $210 for adults

Meet the local producers on this full-day Bruny Island food tour from Hobart , with stops that include the famous Bruny Island Cheese Company, Bruny Island Chocolate Company and Bruny Island, Honey.

Grab a loaf of wood-fired sourdough bread with cheese. (Image: Adam Gibson)

Come lunchtime, you’ll sit down for lunch at Pennicott’s restaurant at Adventure Bay, where you’ll be able to sample some of the best oysters from the Get Shucked oyster farm along with Tasmanian wine.

Have a bucket of oysters freshly harvested on Bruny Island. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The tour also includes a stop at Bligh Museum, where you will learn about Pacific sea exploration, a lookout at The Neck, a walk through the Mavista rainforest, searching for white wallabies, and a beachside walk.

Take a relaxing stroll along The Neck’s tranquil shoreline. (Image: Jess Bonde)

Want to do a DIY foodie tour? We’ve lined up the most delicious Bruny Island experiences that will have you drooling.

Bruny Island cruises

Bruny island wilderness cruises by pennicott wilderness journeys.

Price: from $155 for adults

Did you know that the waters around Bruny Island are home to kelp gardens, a seal colony, pods of dolphins, migrating humpback whales and southern right whales, and short-tailed shearwaters?

Humpback whales will get you acquainted on the island. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Joe Shemesh)

Look out for this and more when you set sail past the towering dolerite sea cliffs from beneath with Bruny Island Wilderness Cruises by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.

Seals also await you. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Joe Shemesh)

You will even get the chance to enter a sea cave, an incredible experience to have on your bucket list. Wrap up warmly before you depart onboard from Adventure Bay.

Unlock hidden gems on your journey. (Image: Sean Scott)

Bruny Island Scenic Flights

Price: From $80

Get a load of the spectacular views from above when you book a tour by air with Island Scenic Flights . See the winding bays, rocky outcrops and sensational coastline of Bruny Island, before returning to land. Prices range from $80 per person to tour around the Neck for approximately 10 minutes, to $370 per person to fly around South Bruny Island before heading to Mt Wellington and Hobart or the Southern Wilderness Area. Extended flights are also available.

Catch idyllic sea views on top while riding a scenic flight to Bruny Island. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Bruny Island historical tours

Cape bruny lighthouse tours.

Built by convict labour out of local dolerite rocks in 1835, the Cape Bruny Lighthouse at the tip of the south island in South Bruny National Park is the second oldest lighthouse in Australia still in existence.

Stars light up over the Cape Bruny Lighthouse at night. (Image: Mauricio E. Mozo)

Today, you can join a Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour to learn more about the fascinating maritime history of this place, and the lives of the keepers who worked here. Climb the tower for awe-inspiring views over the southern oceans.

Go sightseeing on top of the Cape Bruny Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Bruny Island Quarantine Station

Price: Free

Fear of infection, quarantining and isolation … sounding horribly familiar? Back in the day, quarantining travellers was considered one of the best ways to keep disease and infections out of Australia. During this time, quarantine stations like the one you can find on Bruny Island sprung up all over the country, in an effort to lessen the impact of typhoid, influenza and other dangerous illnesses.

Since then the Quarantine Station at Barnes Bay has also been used as a wartime internment camp and a plant quarantine! When here, take the self-guided two-hour-long heritage interpretive walk to find out more about its fascinating history.

Bruny Island walking tours

Bruny island long weekend walk with the tasmanian walking company.

Price: From $1,695

With white sand beaches, breathtaking coastal lookouts, and forests of eucalyptus and rainforests, there’s lots to discover for the keen rambler of Luawanna-Alonnah. See them all on a Bruny Island Long Weekend Walk. The Tasmanian Walking Company , traversing 35 kilometres at a moderate pace over three days.

Immerse into the best of Bruny Island’s scenery. (Image: Tourism Australia/Graham Freeman)

Not only will you get to see all of the above and more, but you also won’t miss out when it comes to the finer things in life. Walkers will get to shuck and consume shellfish in the water at an exclusive oyster lease, sleep every night in a glamping retreat and try the best of Tasmanian food and wine.

Set foot on the powdery, cream-coloured sand. (Image: Alice Hansen)

Fluted Cape Walk with Pennicott Journeys

Price: From $85

Set out from Hobart to complete this challenging, but spectacular walk above the cliff tops near Adventure Bay. The 6.3-kilometre return walk takes 2.5 hours but is well worth it, with the steep climbs rewarding walkers with views down from the rock walls and over the sea. Pack good shoes for any slippery parts.

Don’t feel quite up to it? Whether travelling with Pennicott Journeys or solo, you can take the Grass Point, which is a 1.5-hour return. Both hikes offer opportunities to spot white wallabies down at the bay. Cost includes a return bus from Hobart, a National Parks pass, ferry crossing and morning tea.

Stroll along Adventure Bay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Want to see what other incredible things there are to do on Bruny Island? Check out the top 18 here.

Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.

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A gourmet guide to Bruny Island

• Bruny Island Tasmania

Bruny Island is not just a place of natural beauty, it is also a foodie haven.

When visiting the small island, you might be surprised by the abundance of incredible local produce on offer..

Located a short 30-minute drive from nipaluna / Hobart, and a short ferry ride, Bruny Island might be close to the city, but a visit here will make you feel like you are miles from anywhere.

Local Producers:

Bruny island cheese.

Tassie cheese? Yes, please! A visit to Bruny Island Cheese is a must when experiencing the island. Crafted by local farmer Nick Haddow using traditional techniques, Bruny Island cheese’s selection changes seasonally and is regarded as one of Australia’s finest artisan cheeses.

The onsite restaurant offers delicious cheese plates and locally made beers in a beautiful native setting. Top tip: try the baked cheese!

Get Shucked Oysters

Nothing says Tasmania like some freshly shucked oysters. Drop in to Get Shucked Oysters , find a spot in the sun and enjoy some delicious oysters and a glass of Tassie sparkling wine.

Alternatively, pick up some takeaway oysters from the drive-through station and enjoy a gourmet picnic on the beach.

Bruny Island Honey

Drop by The Bruny Island Honey Company on the island and pick up tasty Tasmanian honey.

Open 7 days, the honey varieties include Fennel Honey, Forest, Bruny Island Bush, Leatherwood, Manuka, and plenty more!

Bruny Baker

Nothing beats freshly baked sourdough and cakes and the Bruny Baker does it oh-so-well.

Not only are their homemade baked goods delicious, they also serve them out of a very cool vintage fridge on the side of the road.

The fridge can be found on the corner of Sheepwash Road and Main Road , Bruny Island.

Bruny Island Chocolate

Drop by the cute little Bruny Island Chocolate shop and indulge in some chocolate treats.

Located at Adventure Bay, the chocolate shop is the perfect place to pick up some treats for your adventures around the island.

The shop is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm at 55 Adventure Bay Rd.

Bruny Island House of Whisky

The Bruny Island House of Whisky is the perfect place for whisky lovers to taste some of Tasmania’s finest.

Drop-in and explore the wide range of spirits and be guided by the knowledgeable staff. 

Bruny Island Premium Wines

Located in the south of the island, Bruny Island Premium Wines is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy lunch in the on-site restaurant which features a wide range of local producers and sip their delicious Tasmanian wines.  The cellar door and restaurant is open from 11 am for lunch, 7 days, and Saturday nights from 6 pm.

Bruny Island Raspberry Farm

During the berry season (mid-November to March), Bruny Island Raspberry Farm is handpicking the fresh raspberry, and other berry produce daily.

Bruny Island Raspberry Farm fruit is available for tasting and purchase at their farm gate. They make a variety of preserves, ice creams, cakes and raspberry crepes with all-natural and locally sourced ingredients.

Cafe’s and Restaurants:

Bruny island cruises restaurant.

Enjoy delicious seafood while overlooking the stunning Adventure Bay at Bruny Island Cruises Restaurant.

Featuring Tasmanian market fish, homemade soups, and baguettes packed with fresh ingredients, the restaurant is the perfect place to refuel after cruising around the Bruny coastline.  

The restaurant serves meals between 11 am and 3 pm daily.

Hotel Bruny

Hotel Bruny is the perfect place to enjoy dinner and a drink when visiting Bruny.

Serving fresh Tassie seafood and the pub classics, the hotel’s relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff make it a popular spot for visitors and locals alike.

Find a spot in the sun on the deck in the warmer months or sip warm cider by the fire in winter.

The Bruny Hotel can be found in Alonnah and is open 7 days from midday.

Bruny Island Wild – Food & Events

The architecturally designed building overlooks the D’entrecasteaux Channel and the mountains beyond.

It houses a Café, a special purpose room with Wood Fired oven and space for cooking classes.

Bruny Island Wild is open on weekends, so please phone ahead to ensure your preferred time is available.

SHARE YOUR ADVENTURES WITH US!

Share your snaps by tagging @hobartandbeyond  and using  #HobartandBeyond  on  Instagram  – we’ll share our favourite pics on social media and in the blog.

Bruny Island Food Touring Map

View our bruny island gourmet food touring map, listing all our featured local producers, cafes and restaurants..

Follow the itinerary to eat and drink your way around Tasmania’s Bruny Island.

Bruny Island Foodie Tours:

Bruny island safaris.

Take the hassle out of your visit to Bruny Island and let Bruny Island Safaris guide you on your culinary journey. Not only will you taste the best of what Bruny has to offer, you will also discover the island’s beautiful natural attractions and explore the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse. The sightseeing tour includes morning tea, lunch, tastings and picks guests up from Hobart daily.

BRUNY ISLAND TRAVELLER

Taste your way around the island with Pennicott Wilderness Journeys’ Bruny Island Traveller tour. The tour includes walks in the Bruny wilderness (keep an eye out for the famous white wallaby!), an exclusive tasting at Bruny Island Cheese, lunch at the Bruny Island Cruises Restaurant followed by tastings and ice cream from Bruny Island Honey. You’ll also get a chance to pick up some fresh Tassie oysters for the journey home. The tour includes pick up and drop off from Hobart.

EAT THE WILD

Dine on fresh seafood by the shore, seared kangaroo in the bush and an oyster-sucking masterclass on the beach with Eat the Wild’s curated food and beverage journey. Cruise in comfort in Eat the Wild’s van (which also features a custom-designed kitchen at the rear) and uncover all of Bruny Island’s local hotspots. Pick-up is available in and around Hobart.

TASMANIAN WILD SEAFOOD ADVENTURES

Hit the water and experience Bruny Island from a different perspective. Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures offers half day cruises from Hobart to Bruny Island where you will feast on the freshest seafood, straight from the ocean! Taste abalone, Tasmanian rock lobster, oysters and sea urchins that are caught in front of you and cooked onboard. Talk about fresh!

TASMANIAN SEAFOOD SEDUCTION

Jump aboard Pennicott’s little yellow boat and explore the waters off Bruny Island with the Tasmanian Seafood Seduction cruise . Visit a salmon farm, enjoy freshly shucked oysters and rock lobster and watch your guide dive for abalone and sea urchin. Enjoy a feast onboard the boat, complemented with Tasmanian wine, beer and cider while you enjoy the pristine scenery of the region. Tours run daily from September – June and via private charter in July and August.

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We acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their enduring custodianship of lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour 40,000 years of uninterrupted care, protection and belonging to these islands, before the invasion and colonisation of European settlement.

As a destination that welcomes visitors to these lands, we acknowledge our responsibility to represent to our visitors, Tasmania’s deep and complex history, fully, respectfully and truthfully.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal people who continue to care for this country today. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present. We honour their stories, songs, art, and culture, and their aspirations for the future of their people and these lands. We respectfully ask that tourism be a part of that future.

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Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre 16-20 Davey St, Hobart TAS 7000

(03) 6238 4222 [email protected] hobarttravelcentre.com.au

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Tasmania Explorer

Top 6 Bruny Island Tours: Best Bruny Island Day Trips

Heading to Tasmania and looking for a great way to spend a day? Visiting Bruny Island in a day is completely possible and it’s not a day you will regret !

Full of wildlife, nature, gorgeous coastline and some great food experiences, Bruny Island is one of our favourite places in Tasmania. And while it may be an island, it is surprisingly easy to reach from Hobart and there are many options for Bruny Island tours from Hobart to make visiting extra easy.

This will ensure you make the most of your time and have an amazing experience exploring this part of the world.

Best Tour to Bruny Island

Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best choice is the fantastic Gourmet Tasting And Sightseeing Day Trip.

Click here to book it now >>

Whether you are looking for Bruny cruises, a Bruny Island gourmet tour or any other type of experience on your Bruny Island trip, one of the Bruny Island day tours from Hobart below is sure to suit you.

So keep reading to find your perfect Tasmania Bruny Island tour!

Click here to download your free Tasmania Road Trip Planner checklist . We’ll help you get ready for your trip!

Top 3 Tours: Best Bruny Island Day Tours

Want to book the best option without reading full reviews? Book one of our top 3 picks below…

Gourmet Tasting And Sightseeing Day Trip

✔️ Perfect for foodies

✔️ Views, walks and more included

Full-Day Guided Bruny Island Tour

✔️ Budget friendly

✔️ Handy location

Bruny Island Sightseeing and Lighthouse Tour

✔️ Best tour to do/eat as much as possible

✔️ Great lunch included

Compare All The Best Bruny Island Tours

The table below compares all the following Bruny Island tours to help you make the best choice for your budget, style and preferences. Note that these are all Bruny Island day trip from Hobart options.

Here’s a quick overview if you are looking for a specific type of tour…

Top 6 Bruny Island Tour Options For Your Best Bruny Island Day Trip

Best bruny island food tour – gourmet tasting and sightseeing day trip.

Another of the Bruny Island safaris day tours that we highly recommend, this tour takes you on a full day’s discovery of the island’s gourmet offerings with more than enough food and drink to satisfy even the most hearty of appetites!

The highlight of your day will be the spectacular lunch by the beach which includes a delicious round of freshly shucked oysters. Across the rest of the day, you will enjoy award-winning cheeses, local honey, wine, whiskey and chocolates.

Similar to previous tours, you’ll start the day early morning in Franklin Wharf, Hobart – approximately 7.45am – and with a small maximum number of guests, set out on a guided bus ride to meet the ferry.

Once on the island, meet with local producers, listening to their stories and tales of crop growing, harvest time and more. Your spectacular lunch is taken at Pennicott’s beachside restaurant, offering sweeping views of Adventure Bay.

After dining, take a guided walk to the iconic Neck Lookout and explore deserted sandy beaches. Finally, step back in time with a walk through the ancient Mavista Rainforest – breathing in reputedly some of the world’s cleanest air as you stroll under the towering canopy. Listen as your guide shares stories of flora, fauna and the island’s original Aboriginal Tasmanian inhabitants.

Windswept coastlines, wild birds, rolling hills and wide beaches, Bruny Island has it all! Add in a heavy dose of gourmet dining and you’re all set for an unforgettable day of adventure.

The tour includes optional hotel pick-up and drop off service, and is open to all age groups with infants sitting on laps.

Click here for more information.

Best Bruny Island Budget Tour – Full-Day Guided Bruny Island Tour (From Hobart)

A Bruny Island day trip, Hobart departure that doesn’t focus on lunch, this is a great budget-end option that still ticks off all of the main highlights of the exotic and wild island. The tour also suits those seeking easy-paced Bruny Island walking tours .

The scenic coastline, beaches and national parks of Bruny Island await you on this 10-hour tour, that commences with a hotel pick-up early after breakfast at 7.30am. Travel by bus to catch the 15-20 minute ferry crossing – keeping alert for your first wildlife viewings, with dolphins regularly spotted in the channel.

Packing-in as many activities as possible within the day, your guided island discovery commences with the chance to purchase what the island is most famous for… oysters! Freshly shucked, you won’t want to miss tasting some of these.

Next up, it’s cameras at the ready as you enjoy 360-degree vistas from the lookout atop the The Neck, with views of the Tasman Sea, Tasman peninsula, North and South Bruny Island and Mt Wellington. Keep an eye out for penguin nests on the slopes up to the platform! There’s no view quite like this.

After a coffee and beach stop at Adventure Bay, it’s on to a 20-minute walk through the temperate rainforest at Mavista Falls. Bruny Island’s only waterfalls, water cascades down 7-metres into aptly named Waterfall Creek. Follow a meandering trail through the rainforest to a serene and pretty spot where you can dip your toes in the water or relax after the short walk.

If you need some more energy after this, you can re-fuel at the Bruny Island Chocolate Company before lunch at the Hotel Bruny pub.

Next on your agenda is a visit to the picturesque Cape Bruny Lighthouse (ticket not included), the second oldest original tower in Australia but now inactive.

It’s then time to sample more of the island’s famed wares with a visit to the Bruny Island Honey Pot and on to Bruny Island Cheese Company .

There’s a lot to pack into your visit and the schedule can change based on weather conditions, maximising your experience and enjoyment. The huides’ local knowledge of secret spots and their strong relationships with the local vendors also helps to ensure a great day out!

All age groups are welcomed, with infants sitting on laps, and the tour is stroller-accessible. This is a terrific tour for anyone hoping to sample a little of everything Bruny Island has to offer.

Please note, lunch is not included (which is reflected in the reasonable cost of this tour in comparison to other tours to Bruny Island from Hobart ).

Top Bruny Island Cruises – Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise Tour

Departing daily at 8am from the Hobart Waterfront Booking Centre, Franklin Wharf, this is our top selection for anyone looking for a full day experience of an unforgettable Bruny Island boat tour .

Taking you up close to all the scenic highlights, and usually coming with an abundance of wildlife viewings, you’ll enjoy a 3-hour Bruny Island wilderness tour on a specially crafted open-air, tiered-seated, boat. Sure to be one of the highlights of your Tasmania stay, this is a multi-award winning eco-tourism experience!

Start your morning with an enjoyable bus ride from Hobart to catch the ferry crossing to Bruny Island, on the South East Coast of Tasmania. Your knowledgeable bus driver keeps you entertained along the route, and you’re soon ready to board your custom-made yellow boat.

Aiming to maximise viewing of the fascinating wildlife and the stunning geological features of Bruny Island, the vessel’s open-sided design helps you feel connected with nature, and surrounds you with fresh-air and the smell of the ocean. This extra level of comfort and enjoyment has helped make this one of the stand-out Bruny Island Tasmania cruise options.

Fast and safe, your boat takes you right into the heart of the action, often up close to the unspoiled coastline for glimpses of seal colonies or perhaps nesting albatrosses. Your guide will help identify the unique wildlife, and also show you the impressive blowhole “Breathing Rock”. You’ll explore towering cliffs and rocky stacks, sea caves, and even remote islands and beaches of this world-class National Marine Park.

And, perhaps the highlight of the tour, head out to sea in search of friendly dolphins or humpback whales travelling along their migration route during September to December.

This three hour Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise is hosted by world-class guides that are passionate about the environment and enjoy sharing knowledge with their guests. Plus, with a maximum of only 43 passengers onboard, the cruise is both an intimate and educational tour.

Inclusions include morning tea and lunch, with return hotel drop off. Don’t forget to take along a warm jacket, gloves, scarf and perhaps a beanie! Bookings are essential and the tour is open to all age groups, with special 0-2yrs infant tickets, and is very popular with many generic Bruny Island cruise review websites giving high praise!

This wonderful Bruny Island eco tour and Bruny Island wilderness coast tour ends back in Hobart around 5.30pm. Organised by the famed Australian tourism legend Robert Pennicott and his team, this is one of the top selling Pennicott cruises, Bruny Island .

Best All-Round Bruny Island Day Tour – Bruny Island Sightseeing And Lighthouse Tour

Fancy a day exploring some of the world’s most dramatic scenery, discovering the history of Bruny Island, wildlife spotting along the route, and still finding time to sample delicious seafood, cheeses and more?

Known for its stunning scenery, beautiful beaches and rare wildlife, Bruny Island is also a producer of world class gourmet food, including a cheese factory, oyster farm, apple orchards and home to Australia’s southernmost vineyard.

A spectacular day out, this tour departs by bus from Hobart at 7.30am (with complimentary hotel pick-up). Transfer to a comfortable ferry for the quick hop across the bay – keeping an eye out for a range of wildlife, such as sea birds, dolphins and even whales.

Once on the island – approximately 100km long and made up of two islands joined together by a narrow isthmus known as The Neck – it’s time to discover the top gourmet spots. Sample rich cheeses, fresh oysters, sweet and smooth fudges, chocolates and more!

Joined throughout by your friendly guide, walk off the calories by enjoying some of the top short walks on the island. Discover the historic aspects of Bruny – including its iconic lighthouse on a special-access Bruny Island lighthouse tour – and take in some of the most dramatic viewpoints, all the time keeping an eye out for the island’s exotic wildlife.

A real Bruny Island adventure tours winner, your day out continues with additional highlights such as viewing the rare White Wallaby in the wild, visiting the Mt Mangana Rainforests and a hotel lunch overlooking the D’Entrecasteaux Channel with a selection of seafood and local meats. It’s fair to say that this tour almost explodes with inclusions!

Returning approximately 5.30pm to Hobart, this day out is not recommended for children under 3 years of age. And note that children under 5 years are unable to participate in the Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour due to safety regulations, but they can walk around at the base under an adult’s supervision. Booster seats are available, and the operator is happy to discuss your individual requirements in detail if you’re travelling with infants or toddlers.

This is one tour you’re definitely not going home hungry from!

Best Foodie + Wildlife Option – Bruny Island Full Day Tour

Bruny Island’s famed gourmet food is on the menu today, with a 9+-hour tour itinerary that showcases the scenic rugged beauty of one of Tasmania’s must-see destinations, whilst sampling some of the finer things in life. With small maximum group sizes, this Bruny Island 6-course gourmet day trip is a treat for your tastebuds!

The tour departs Hobart at 7.45am, catching the short ferry across to Bruny Island – from which you can hope to glimpse playful dolphins and many seabirds.

Once on the Island, start the day with an exclusive Bruny Island Cheese and Beer Tasting with fresh Tassie cheeses, before picking up your lunch at Get Shucked Oysters – noted for its fresh seafood that’s said to resemble a “kiss from the ocean”!

Work up an appetite for lunch with a short hike at The Neck Lookout and at Mavista Rainforest Walk.

You should be hungry by now on this Bruny Island gourmet food tour and, after a quick search for white wallabies on a private reserve, it’s time to enjoy lunch at Pennicotts, Australia’s southernmost vineyard. Tuck in to an appetiser of the fresh oysters, followed by a main meal that’s accompanied by two glasses of wine, beer and cider.

Your Bruny Island day trip itinerary continues on at a leisurely pace, sampling more delights such as honey, fudge and more. And, in our opinion, one of the delights of this tour is meeting the local farmers, cheese makers, beekeepers and hearing stories of how they harvest their crops and produce their wares.

Joined throughout by your helpful guide – who travels at your speed, with plenty of time given at each venue – this tour is truly a foodie’s delight! Mixed with incredible wildlife and stunning coastal views, there’s something for everyone here.

Returning to Hobart around 6pm, this full day tour is open to all age groups with special 0-2 years Infant tickets available.  Bookings are essential as this is a popular day trip, regularly earning top Bruny Island tours reviews, and is again organised by those talented Pennicott Bruny Island cruise operators, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.

Fresh From The Ocean: Tasmanian Seafood Gourmet Full-Day Bruny Island Cruise

Now, this is the life… a Bruny Island boat trip with a twist! Take a scenic cruise along the Derwent River and around Bruny Island on-board a custom-made boat, keeping things intimate with a small maximum number of guests per sailing. Pair this with dining on freshly gathered seafood, regional wines, beers, ciders and cheeses… and you have a premium full-day seafood experience!

This simply fantastic Bruny Island cruise tour takes around 8-hours and departs from Franklin Wharf, Hobart. Meet your two expert guides that will join you for the day and fellow travel companions, at this historic waterfront. Leave the city behind as you glide along the waterways of Hobart, down the Derwent River into the sheltered waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel around Bruny Island.

As you enjoy your Bruny Island boat cruise your guides will share their extensive knowledge of the region, and in a secluded bay, they’ll jump into the water in hunt of abalone and sea urchins for part of your lunch. You’ll enjoy watching them prepare this gathered bounty and dine on these and delicious rock lobster – prepared in two ways – and other delicious seafood dishes that are all cooked on the spot!

No meal in this region is complete without a side order of freshly shucked oysters and – having stopped at a local salmon farm – there’s fresh fish on the menu too! And not to forget the accompanying gourmet spread of fresh local breads, salads and artisan cheeses… all washed down with premium wines!

And all the while keeping look out for seals, eagles, penguins and more of Tasmania’s exotic and endemic wildlife, whilst breathing-in some of the world’s cleanest air. A perfect day? …we think so and find this one of the best Bruny Island tours, Tasmania .

No hotel pick-up and drop-off here, but the tour operates in all weather conditions (please dress appropriately) and is open to all age groups with infants seated on laps. Note that this tour is about exploring the waterways and food of Bruny Island rather than the island itself.

Where To Stay In Hobart

Staying centrally is the best way to be all set for your day trip to Bruny Island from Hobart. Here are some options depending on your budget and needs…

BEST – Sullivans Cove Apartments Review

Marketed as Hobart’s finest collection of 5-star self-catering apartments, Sullivans Cove Apartments don’t disappoint! Located around Hobart’s vibrant waterfront – home to many great restaurants – the apartments offer a home-away-from-home vibe, with additional little touches that have ensured a high repeat-clientele.

Situated in 5 different areas around the Hobart Waterfront, each apartment is a self-contained serviced apartment, offering free WiFi, kitchen and full laundry facilities, and each is serviced daily.

Especially ideal for families, the apartments are spacious and with modern amenities – such as dishwasher, microwave, flat-screen television and ironing facilities. 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartments are available, operated from one central check-in office that opens 8.30am-5.30pm daily.

The views from each apartment differ, but we recommend checking out the Penthouse and Hunter St apartments as these have water views. Children under 2-years stay free in existing bedding, and baby cots are available at most locations with a nightly rental fee.

Located only minutes from markets and pubs, Sullivans Cove Apartments are an ideal option for everyone: families, small groups or solo travellers.

Click here for the latest prices.

MID-RANGE – Somerset On The Pier Review

Location, location, location! Here’s something a little different, that will bring another level of fun to your Tasmania stay… Somerset On the Pier has the novelty factor of being built on top of a pier, in a converted 1930s pier building!

With terrific views of the Derwent River and Sullivans Cove, the hotel has 1 or 2-bedroom apartments, both coming in Executive and Premier levels, and offer a little more space than your average hotel room.

Constructed with a loft-style design, the apartments come with fully-equipped kitchenettes, Smart TVs, separate living and dining spaces, washing machine and dryer, and a daily housekeeping service (except Sundays).

Ideal for anyone looking to self-cater and preferring an apartment-style accommodation with the added touch of epic water views. And, ensure to book a Premier level apartment if you’re keen on the views as these come with a private balcony.

Free WiFi is available throughout the property. There’s complimentary off-site parking available nearby, and there are a myriad of restaurants in the immediate vicinity with many cuisines catered for.

And, if you’re joining any of our recommended Bruny Island cruises from Hobart , the hotel has the added benefit of being less than a minutes walk from Franklin Wharf!

Read our full report here .

BUDGET – Bay Hotel Apartments Review

Formerly known as Woolmers Apartments, Bay Hotel Apartments offers budget accommodation for large and smaller groups.

The hotel’s 36 rooms include studio-double, studio-twin, two-bedroom, along with self-contained apartment accommodation – all situated in Hobart’s harbourside suburb of Sandy Bay.

Each apartment has kitchen facilities, free off-street parking, cable television and WiFi. Continental breakfast packs are available from Reception for a minimal cost, and a coin-operated laundry service is offered to guests.

Approximately 2km from Hobart’s city centre, the hotel is just a short car ride away from restaurants, antique shops and craft stores. A safe and clean option, Bay Hotel Apartments wins our pick of budget accommodation for your stay in Hobart prior to heading out on any of our recommended Bruny Island safari tours.

Final Words

Bruny Island is a great slice of the world and even if you just have one day, you can discover this little island paradise for yourself. Any of the Bruny Island tours Hobart options here should give you a great experience. Enjoy!

We hope you found this guide to the best Bruny Island safari tour options useful! If you would like to stay longer on Bruny, you can find our full guide to Bruny Island things to do here , our guide to getting to Bruny Island here . or read more guides to southern Tasmania here .

Related posts:

By Shan Hutchinson

Shan grew up in Tasmania, moved away and then came back with her family twenty years later. She loves re-discovering her home state and sharing it with you here.

• History of Bruny
• Know your area
• Bruny Island Map
• How to get there
• Hotel Bruny
• Cheese & Beer

• Hikes and Walks
• Tassie Tours
• Bruny Island Safaris
• Stay on Bruny
• Stay around Tassie

Bruny Island Safaris offer an awesome range of guided tours all over Bruny Island. They can take you on exclusive and private culinary adventures, guide you through one of the world’s oldest lighthouses, lead you along the most beautiful walking tracks in the southern hemisphere and so much more!

LIGHTHOUSE TOURS

Indulgence tours, guided walks, overnight explorer.

Morning Cruise

Cruise alongside some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs, beneath towering crags and drift up close to listen to the awesome ‘Breathing Rock’.

Afternoon Cruise

Enter deep sea caves, pass through the narrow gap between the coast and ‘The Monument’ and feel the power of nature at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the might of the Southern Ocean.

Day Tour with Cruise

Includes guided bus tour, ferry crossing, morning tea, wilderness cruise, lunch and a sightseeing tour on Bruny Island.

Kate Abroad

Ultimate Bruny Island Day Trip Itinerary for 2024

A day trip to Bruny Island is a must when visiting Tasmania but you need a plan to squeeze in everything the island has to offer in just one day. This Bruny Island day trip itinerary has you covered with the best lookouts, walks, and of course food!

Bruny Island is not far from Hobart, the capital of Tasmania and Australia ‘s southernmost city, so you could feasibly get there and back in a day quite easily, and that’s the way most people do it. A day trip to Bruny Island from Hobart is a great add-on to a weekend in Tasmania’s capital .

We stayed in the nearby town of Snug which has a good campground for campervanning Tasmania and shortened the drive to the ferry in the morning, meaning we could sleep in a bit and get more time on the island.

You can use this map to navigate around the island.

Getting to Bruny Island, Tasmania

Start your day with a morning ferry ride to Bruny Island from Kettering. If you’re coming to Bruny Island from Hobart, I’d recommend stopping at the Margate Pancake Train on the way down to grab some breakfast. There are food options on the island but they’re better for lunch/dinner/tastings than breakfast.

I have a full guide to the Bruny Island ferry that has all the details, but the main thing is that you need your own vehicle as there’s nowhere to go at the other end without a car.

Bruny Island Visitor Map

To help you make the most of your day on Bruny Island, I’ve put all the key Bruny island attractions into the below Google Map which you can use to plan your route around the island.

Bruny Island Day Trip Itinerary

Get your photos at the neck truganini lookout.

Once on the island, I’d recommend heading south on the main road towards the lighthouse. The lighthouse is the furthest point from the ferry wharf where you’ll start your day on Bruny Island so by heading there first, you’ll get to see it before the crowds and save the afternoon for eating!

Before you get to the lighthouse, however, you won’t be able to resist making a stop-off at Truganini Lookout at The Neck which is about halfway down the island. 

This thin strip of land connects the two halves of the island and is the most spectacular lookout point on Bruny Island.  You do have to climb a bunch of stairs to get the views, but the winding wooden staircase is part of what makes the scene so Instagrammable. 

If you’re there at the right time you might catch a sighting of the penguins who make their home at the rookery on the Eastern side of The Neck.

The Neck can be extremely windy so make sure to hold onto your hats, glasses and car doors (we made that mistake!).

Cool fact – The Lookout at The Neck is named after Truganini who was a famous Aboriginal woman who once lived in Tasmania.

Visit Bruny Island Lighthouse

The lighthouse is one of the most famous landmarks on Bruny Island and a must on any Bruny Island itinerary. Actually getting there is a bit of a pain however as the last section of the drive is over 10km of dirt road covered in potholes.

You can check out our full guide to Bruny Island Lighthouse which has the whole rundown of getting out there, the lighthouse tours and the best photo spots.

While you’re there, you might want to attempt one of the walks around the southwestern part of the island that have spectacular brews of the fluted cliffs. The Labilladiere Peninsula Walk is around 5 hours while the Luggaboine Circuit is shorter at around 1.5 hours.

Given the length of these walks, if you’re trying to see Bruny Island in one day and really want to hike, you’ll need to make a trade-off by cutting down on some afternoon activities. You could skip Adventure Bay or double down and spend the whole day in nature and miss the tastings, it just depends on whether you want your Bruny Island day trip to be more foodie-focused or adventure-focused.

Stop for lunch at Hotel Bruny

After the trek out to the exposed lighthouse, it’ll be time to go inside and warm up with some lunch. The best spot on the bottom part of the island is Hotel Bruny in Alonnah (also Bruny Island’s biggest township).

The hotel largely offers pub-style food with huge servings (check out the size of the chicken parmigiana below!). They’re also the home of Bruny Island Cider with the full range of ciders available for tastings plus an awesome hot cider in winter.

As an alternative for a more luxurious experience, you could instead try Bruny Island Premium Wines for lunch. They’re open daily for a la carte lunch and tasting platters at their cellar door near Lunawanna.

Walk on the beach at Adventure Bay

After a hearty lunch, with lots of local seafood, head back north towards Adventure Bay. Adventure Bay is the main holiday spot on the island and is where you’ll find most of the accommodation options.

On your way, you could stop off at Bruny Island Chocolate Company, it’s an ok option for gifts but we found it a bit underwhelming. If you’re after a sweet treat, then Bruny Island Raspberry farm is a go-to in summer.

Adventure Bay is where the Bruny Island Cruises depart from. If you want to see more of the island’s scenery without hiking this is a great option, but you’ll need to plan your day around it as the 10 am – 1:30 pm cruise times don’t leave much room for anything else. 

Adventure Bay is a great place for some beach time in summer or just a walk on the coast in winter. The long stretch of coastline lined by forest is beautiful and a great spot to camp if you have time for an overnight stay on Bruny Island.

You can walk part or all of the Fluted Cape Track (2.5 hours return), the first section around Grass Point at the end of Adventure Bay is very accessible and perfect for an out-and-back stroll.

Where to eat on a Bruny Island day trip 

Bruny Island is a foodie destination for a reason and no Bruny Island itinerary would be complete without several tastings. Hopping between tasting rooms as you work your way back north towards the wharf is a great way to spend an afternoon.

My favourite place was Bruny Island Cheese & Beer Co which does delicious tasting boards of a whole range of cheese and locally made condiments. They also do craft beer flights if that’s your thing.

For seafood fans, Get Shucked, is a fun experience, it’s a drive-through oyster bar that also has a sunny deck where you can throw down oysters by the dozen. Their oysters are so fresh you can watch them being shucked and they taste of the sea.

Before you leave, two other great stops are Bruny Island Honey and Bruny Island House of Whiskey, more top-quality local producers offering tastings and lots of goodies to take home.

If you have a bit more time left at the end of the day, you could drive further north on the island. The roads up north aren’t great but there are some beautiful lookouts around Dennes Point as well as the Historic Bruny Island Quarantine Station and the Art Untamed Gallery. 

By the time you get the boat home, you’ll be full and exhausted but hopefully had a great day out.

Best Bruny Island Day Tours

If you don’t want to drive on the island or want to make sure you are packing the most into your one day on Bruny Island then a day tour is a great way to go.

There are plenty of companies running day tours to Bruny Island from Hobart, I would recommend Pennicott Wilderness as they’re a well-established operator in Tasmania and offer really well-curated itineraries. Their Bruny Island Traveller day tour has a bit of everything including food and drinks tastings, a museum and walks. Click here to book the tour online.

If you want something that’s more of an activity than a full-day tour, Bruny Island Cruises offers boat trips around the island which let you see different areas that are inaccessible by car. You can join the cruise from Adventure Bay (on Bruny Island) or book transfers from Ketteridge or Hobart. Click here to book your cruise online.

The third Bruny Island guided day tour I’d recommend is the Tassie Tours day tour from Hobart. It’s very similar to the Pennicott Bruny Island Traveller but more affordable as food is not included. Click here to book Tassie Tours online.

Frequently asked questions about a Bruny Island day trip

Do you need a car to see bruny island.

Yes, Bruny Island has no public transport so you will need to either hire a car to get around or book a Bruny Island day tour that provides transport.

Can you see Bruny Island in a day?

Absolutely yes. A day trip is a great way to see Bruny Island as it’s enough time to explore the main attractions and try some of the great food plus catch the ferry back to the mainland of Tasmania.

How long does it take to drive around Bruny Island?

Driving from the ferry wharf to the lighthouse at the southern end of Bruny Island takes approximately 1-1.5 hours due to poor road conditions. Driving from the wharf to the top of the island takes just under an hour. So you can drive a lap of Bruny Island in under 3 hours, excluding stops.

Where to stay overnight on Bruny Island

If you have more time, consider staying the night on Bruny Island. There are no hotels but there are several campsites, holiday homes and boutique lodges on the island.

Here are some options for each budget range:

• Budget / Camping: Captain Cook Holiday Park
• Mid-range / Luxury (they have multiple properties at different rates): Adventure Bay Retreat

In Short: Bruny Island In One Day

Hopefully, you found this Bruny Island Day Trip Guide helpful. If you did, try our other Tasmania guides for Cradle Mountain , Hobart , the Huon Valley , and Snug .

Happy travelling!

Australia Travel Resources

• Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
• Find awesome day tours on Viator and Get Your Guide
• Save on Sydney attractions with a Go City Pass
• Compare prices on cars and campervans at RentalCars.com
• Sort your Australian dollars with a Wise currency card

Kate is the founder of Kate Abroad. She has travelled to nearly 40 countries from Austria to Vanuatu, and lived in 3. She's on a mission to empower other Gen Zs and Millenials travel affordably by sharing helpful travel guides, stories and tips to over 200,000 readers.

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Putin’s China Visit Highlights Military Ties That Worry the West

The Russian leader visited an institute in Harbin known for defense research. President Xi Jinping saw him off with a rare and seemingly deliberate embrace for the cameras.

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By David Pierson

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia attended a trade fair on Friday in a northeastern Chinese city and toured a state-backed university famous for its cutting-edge defense research, highlighting how economic and military ties between the countries have grown despite, or perhaps because of, Western pressure.

Mr. Putin’s visit to Harbin, a Chinese city with a Russian past, is part of a trip aimed at demonstrating that he has powerful friends even as his war against Ukraine — a campaign that he is escalating — has isolated him from the West. The visit followed a day of talks between him and President Xi Jinping of China that seemed orchestrated to convey not only the strategic alignment of the two powerful, autocratic leaders against the West, but a personal connection.

State media showed Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi, neckties off after formal talks on Thursday, strolling under willow trees and sipping tea at a traditional pavilion on the sprawling grounds of Zhongnanhai, the walled leadership compound in Beijing, with only their interpreters. As Mr. Xi saw Mr. Putin off in the evening, he even initiated a hug — a rare expression of affection for the Chinese leader.

“Xi’s very deliberate embrace of Putin for the cameras wasn’t just to emphasize the closeness of the political relationship between the two countries and their leaders,” said Richard McGregor, a senior fellow for East Asia at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. “There was also a touch of disdain directed at Washington, which has been pressuring Beijing to withdraw support from Moscow. That clearly isn’t going to happen in any substantive fashion.”

The show of camaraderie was the final touch in talks that culminated in a joint statement that took aim at the United States, which Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi have accused of seeking to suppress their countries. The statement pledged that Russia and China would work more closely in critical sectors like energy, space and the military.

The large size of Russia’s delegation, which included Mr. Putin’s top security and energy officials, as well the length of the bilateral meetings, implied the seriousness with which both sides have approached the negotiations, said Alexander Gabuev, a China expert at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin.

“It’s like an iceberg,” he said. “The public documents are symbolic and largely meaningless. But there’s an underwater part, which is likely to be much more significant.”

Still, Mr. Putin’s visit also showed the limits of the countries alliance. In China, Mr. Xi rolled out the red carpet for Mr. Putin, but the visit did not produce any public commitments to concrete new projects or investments between the two countries.

Specifically, Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi have not publicly reported any progress on a planned new gas pipeline from China into Russia, known as Power of Siberia 2. Russia urgently needs the pipeline to redirect the flow of its gas exports from the rapidly declining market in Europe.

Mr. Putin had no news to share about the pipeline’s progress when he was asked about it in a brief news conference at the end of his trip on Friday.

“I am not prepared to discuss any technical details, but the interest of both sides in realizing these projects has been confirmed,” Mr. Putin said, referring to Power of Siberia 2.

He also deflected a question about reports that Chinese banks are reducing transactions with Russian clients out of fear of Western sanctions, turning the conversation from China to the shortcomings of the U.S. financial system.

The growing security ties between the two nuclear-armed powers was a focal point of Mr. Putin’s visit to Harbin, and the Harbin Institute of Technology.

While China and Russia are not formal allies committed to defend each other with military support, their armed forces have worked together more closely in recent years. Their air forces and navies have held joint military exercises, including near Alaska and Taiwan, the de facto independent island claimed by Beijing. On Thursday, the two leaders issued words of support for their separate claims to Taiwan and Ukraine.

And while China has vowed not to provide Russia with lethal weapons, it has been the top supplier of components like semiconductors and machine tools that have both civilian and military uses.

While that is helpful, Mr. Putin still seeks access to more sophisticated tools. The Harbin institute is best known for its research of rockets, missiles and space technology — expertise that Russia would greatly benefit from as the war in Ukraine has revived its need for a more robust military-industrial complex. The institute also trained North Korean scientists who worked on Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program, according to The Wall Street Journal and South Korean media.

Mr. Putin’s tour of the institute was steeped in symbolism. The 103-year-old institution recently opened a joint campus with St. Petersburg State University, Mr. Putin’s alma mater. And in something of a snub to Washington, the school belongs on the United States’ so-called entity list, barring it from accessing American technology and taking part in educational exchanges because of its links to the People’s Liberation Army.

“We should be less concerned about what particular technologies China might be sharing with Russia from Harbin or elsewhere, than the larger pattern and signal that this visit represents,” said Markus Garlauskas, a security expert at the Atlantic Council.

“China did not need to host Putin at Harbin in order to transfer technologies from there to Russia,” he added. “That this visit took place so openly is a visible and symbolic sign of Beijing being willing to provide directly military-applicable technology to support Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

Song Zhongping, a commentator in Beijing who is a former military officer, defended Mr. Putin’s visit to the institute, pointing to the school’s cooperation with Russia in education.

“Communication at the university level between China and Russia is consistent with the academic exchange and national interests of both countries,” Mr. Song said.

Mr. Garlauskas said the tour of the institute had echoes of when Mr. Putin hosted Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator, at a Russian spaceport last year before Pyongyang began supplying Moscow with ballistic missiles and other munitions to use in Ukraine.

“What China shares with Russia, Russia could easily then turn around and share with North Korea,” Mr. Garlauskas said.

Not long ago, it was China that drew greater benefits from access to Russian military technology. Starting in the 1990s, and peaking in the early 2000s, Beijing was a major buyer of Russian arms. Sales then began to slow after Moscow grew concerned about China reverse-engineering Russian weapons, said Elizabeth Wishnick, a senior research scientist at the Center for Naval Analyses in Virginia.

It wasn’t until about a decade ago that cooperation between the two sides returned, leading to China’s acquisition of more Russian jet engine technology and surface-to-air missile systems. Still, in a sign that there are limits to its cooperation with China, Russia is holding out sharing its silent submarine technology, a feature that makes the vessels especially hard to detect, Ms. Wishnick said.

Mr. Putin is also using his visit to Harbin, where he attended a trade fair, to promote the flow of goods between the countries.

China has given Russia an economic lifeline by buying huge amounts of Russian oil to circumvent the effects of its financial isolation from the West. Not only that, with many foreign consumer brands also leaving Russia, Chinese companies have stepped in to fill a vacuum for the likes of automobiles , smartphones and televisions. That contributed to a record $240 billion in two-way trade between the China and Russia in 2023, up from $190 billion in 2022, according to Chinese customs data.

Maintaining that growth in trade is a major focus in both countries, analysts said, now that Western pressure on Chinese banks to scale back transactions with Russian firms is believed to have led to the first year-on-year decline in trade in more than two years in March.

One solution would be to increase the amount of transactions settled in local currencies rather than dollars to avoid the risk of sanctions. Mr. Putin said on Thursday that more than 90 percent of commercial transactions conducted between Russia and China were now being cleared in rubles or renminbi.

“Protecting the financial assets of big banks in China is the top crucial interest of China,” said Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing. He said China was trying to reduce its exposure to the dollar beyond just in Russia, but that the room to do so was “limited.”

Olivia Wang and Anatoly Kurmanaev contributed reporting.

David Pierson covers Chinese foreign policy and China’s economic and cultural engagement with the world. He has been a journalist for more than two decades. More about David Pierson

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Ukraine asked the Biden administration to provide more intelligence  on the position of Russian forces and military targets inside Russia, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials.

President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into law a bill allowing some Ukrainian convicts to serve  in the country’s military in exchange for the possibility of parole at the end of their service, a move that highlights Kyiv’s desperate attempts to replenish its forces.

NATO allies are inching closer to sending troops into Ukraine to train Ukrainian forces . The move would be another blurring of a previous red line and could draw the United States and Europe more directly into the war.

World’s Nuclear Inspector: Rafael Grossi took over the International Atomic Energy Agency five years ago at what now seems like a far less fraught moment. With atomic fears everywhere, the inspector is edging toward mediator .

Frozen Russian Assets: As much as $300 billion in frozen Russian assets is piling up profits and interest income by the day. Now, Ukraine’s allies are considering how to use those gains to aid Kyiv .

Rebuilding Ukrainian Villages: The people of the Kherson region have slowly rebuilt their livelihoods since Ukraine’s military forced out Russian troops. Now they are bracing for another Russian attack .

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Yamal Travel Guide - the Land of Nomadic Nenets

Home / Russia Travel Experiences / Yamal Travel Guide – the Land of Nomadic Nenets

As the world gets smaller, there’s a desire to go further – and there are just a few places as enchantingly far away as Yamal. One of the last refuges of Russia’s nomadic reindeer herders, it is so far north that most of it is located beyond the Arctic Circle.

‘Yamal’ means ‘edge of the world’ in the language of the indigenous Nenets people. Here, the Nenets carve out a unique way of life, seemingly at the limits of human tolerance.

Table of Contents

Why visit Yamal

The nenets – the world’s last nomadic reindeer herders.

Centuries ago, hundreds of nomadic tribes roamed vast areas of the planet, but today, nomadic culture is rapidly dying out. Because the local nomads – Nenets (also known as Samoyed) have remained isolated from the modern world in one of the most inhospitable environments on earth, they remain among the last ethnic groups to still practice a completely nomadic way of life.

With a population of over 41,000, the Nenets are one of the largest indigenous groups in Northern Siberia, with the majority living in Yamal. For most of their existence, all the Nenets practiced a nomadic way of life. By herding reindeer and migrating twice a year to warmer pastures within their territory, the Nenets adapted to survive the harsh conditions and freezing temperatures above the Arctic Circle. The reindeer-herding Nenets are famed for having the longest migration routes on earth, relying entirely on wooden sledges for transport over the heavy snow and frozen rivers of the Arctic.

Nenets religion and beliefs

The traditional religious conceptions and customs of the Nenets fall within the general definition of Siberian shamanism. The shamans, of whom there were several categories, were the principal mediators between humans and spirits. The latter used to be represented by anthropomorphic wooden idols, of which great numbers were assembled in the sacred places of the Nenets.

As the Russians moved into Siberia and other remote parts of Russia, indigenous people were forced off their land and they began encroaching on Nenet land. During the 1930s, Nenet spiritual leaders and shamans were exiled. After the Russian Revolution, the Nenets culture suffered due to the Soviet collectivization policy. The government of the Soviet Union tried to force the nomadic Samoyeds to settle down permanently. They were forced to settle in villages and their children were educated in state boarding schools, which resulted in the erosion of their cultural identity. Many, especially in Yamal lost their mother tongue and became assimilated.

During the last few centuries the traditional religious conceptions came to be mixed with elements of Christian origin, and figures from the Orthodox pantheon, notably Nikolai Chudotvorets, or Mikulay in Nenets, were adopted as patrons. Officially, Christianity reached only the western Tundra Nenets, whereas some of the eastern groups preserved shamanism until the Stalin period. Today the shamanist worldview seems to have largely vanished in favor of the official materialistic ideology.

The Nenets are reluctant to talk to outsiders about their spiritual beliefs. They are not afraid of mixing with the modern world. They use radios, TVs, and reject what they don’t feel the need. Nenet children are still required to attend Russian-language schools.

Nenets culture

For the Nenets, the reindeer, one of the few animal species with the ability to survive the sometimes brutal, blizzard-blown conditions of far northern Siberia, is everything. Reindeers are used for transport, clothing, building, milk, meat, blood and fat. As one of the few food sources available, the Nenets rely on reindeer meat for subsistence throughout the year. Freshly butchered deer are usually eaten raw, and the Nenets are also partial to drinking the blood – although for guests, partaking in this practice is optional!

The Nenets wear clothing made of reindeer fur, sewn together using reindeer sinew, and live in conical tents made of reindeer bone and hides, known as chums .  

The Nenets diet contains mainly of bread and reindeer meat. When freshly slaughtered, reindeer are typically served raw and still warm (including the fresh blood, a nutritious drink). Otherwise, the meat is frozen for year-round safekeeping. The Nenets supplement their diet with other protein sources when available such as white salmon and other fish. During summer months, they also gather cranberries or other forest fruit for making tea.

While the Nenets struggle to keep their culture alive against the mounting pressure of climate change and industrialisation, outside interest in culturally respectful, eco-tourism provides a glimmer of hope that the last of the world’s nomadic reindeer herders can hold on to their traditional way of life into the next few generations.  

“These are indeed people who live in a totally different dimension.” – Russian archeologist Andrei Golovnev told National Geographic. “They do not want to be the same as everyone else. They just want to be who they are.

Homestay with Nenets

There’s really only one reason foreign tourists brave the lengthy travel times and intimidating climactic conditions that await them in Yamal: they have come to observe and participate in a way of life that has, against the odds, remained relatively unchanged for around 2,000 years.

With no hotels, no stores, no modern communication and very few places to find shelter from the elements, the only way to visit Yamal’s Arctic region and Polar Ural Mountains is to stay with the Nenets in their nomad camps. The whole idea behind a homestay with the Nenets is to immerse yourself in their daily lives, culture and customs. Generally, you’ll be sharing a chum with a host family, giving you the chance to bond with your hosts and enjoy more opportunities to exchange experiences and ideas. During your stay, the locals will go about their daily lives, but will invite visitors to watch or lend a helping hand, as long as you’re physically able and comfortable with the task at hand. Who knows, you might find you have a special talent for lassoing reindeer, chum building or sledge assembly!

You’ll also have the chance to involve yourself in the preparations for making new campsites, sledding into the forest to cut trees for firewood, collecting ice or snow for water, sewing fur clothing and other activities essential for survival, relaxation and social bonding within the community. While the Nenets are extremely hard workers, many are often eager to socialise with their temporary guests, and it’s common for Nenets to sit together and converse around the open fire after dinner.

Experience the reindeer migration with the Nenets

The few visitors who do make it to the isolated Yamal, generally come to experience and participate in the Nenets annual reindeer migration events . The migration to and from Yamal’s summer pastures is carried out each year by the indigenous Nenets, traveling across ancient migration routes in the tundra as they have for thousands of years.

Accompanied by herds up to 10,000 strong, twice a year, the Nenets complete the world’s longest nomadic migration. Before winter temperatures in the Yamal Peninsula can plummet to an unfathomable -50°C, the Nenets must move their reindeer further south to the moss on lichen pastures in the southern taiga.

Every Spring, the Nenets then shift their enormous herds north to summer grazing grounds in the Arctic Circle. This massive journey (which even seasoned travel photographers and adventure travellers often describe as one of the most spectacular experiences of their lives), usually starts in mid-March through to mid-April. During this period, temperatures are still freezing, as part of the journey for some groups of Nenets involves crossing a wide expanse of the frozen Ob River, or moving to the Polar Mural Mountains.

The Spring reindeer migration sees thousands of reindeer and their herders travelling anywhere between 250km to 1,000km along the Yamal Peninsula to the Kara Sea, covering around 25km per day.

The Autumn migration starts near the end of September and runs through to mid-October. During this time, it’s possible to see vivid patches of greenery and wildflowers as the seasons change – these months are slightly warmer than the Spring migration. Depending on the weather, the nomad camps can be shifted almost every day, or a couple of days per week. In favourable conditions, the Nenets may spend several days or weeks in one place, repairing sledges and chum coverings before moving on.

Migration involves the chums being taken down and packed on to hand-made, wooden, reindeer-drawn sledges, along with all their possessions. The reindeer herd are then collected and harnessed to the sledges. The entire camp is then transferred by sledge, moving anywhere between 3 to 60km to a new spot for re-establishing the chums. A single move can take between 12 and 24 hours.

If you join a migration tour , keep in mind that during the migration, you’ll be outside the entire time, with no protection from the elements other than your clothing.

Joining a reindeer migration is about as far from a mainstream holiday as you can get, but for inquisitive, intrepid and physically fit adventure travellers, the chance to experience the nomadic lives of the Siberian people is an unforgettable, once in a lifetime event.

See below some common Reindeer migration routes:

The Reindeer Herders Festival

If you don’t wish to join the Nenets on their annual migration trips, we’d have to say the best time of the year to visit Yamal is during the end of March through to early April. This is the time when the nomadic Nenets from across the Yamal Peninsula travel in their family groups to celebrate the one-day Reindeer Herder’s Festival. Held annually in different cities and villages of Yamal, the festival usually takes place on the last Saturday of March (in Salekhard) and the 1 st Saturday of April (in Aksarka village).

For the Nenets people, a festival day is a major event. Herders from all over the tundra bring their families to town to sell their crafts and other wares, meet with friends and compete in rough-and-tumble contents of physical skill. Events held on the day include reindeer wrangling, sledge races, axe throwing and tug-of-war. Wandering the festival grounds, you’ll be able to pop inside the specially erected chums and taste unique Arctic delicacies such as stroganina (cloudberry jam). The Nenets women cut striking figures against the pure white snow, dressed in their brightly coloured traditional outfits.

The Reindeer Herder’s Festival has also become an event in which the Nenets are able to share with the world a fascinating slice of their unique culture. On a Yamal tour during the festival season, you’ll also have the chance to stay with a Nenets family far from the city, giving you an amazing opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the nomadic way of life. With a bit of luck, at this time of year, you might even get to witness the Northern Lights streaking across the pristine polar sky.

An opportunity to experience the Northern Lights in Yamal

With most of Yamal sitting above the Arctic Circle, the region is one of the best destinations in Russia to observe the fantastic spectacle of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights.

The Aurora Borealis is usually observed during winter, most commonly between September and May, and best of all in January and February. The prime season for catching this spectacular celestial light show is the New Moon in February, when the Aurora is commonly sighted for around two weeks straight.

February, deep winter in Yamal, is one of the few months the Nenets don’t migrate. On the other hand, it can be a great time to experience a more relaxed homestay with the Nenets, as long as you can withstand the extreme cold!

When to visit Yamal

So basically, the best time to visit Yamal is spring, starting from the end of March till May. During this time, while you still see the Russian Arctic in her winter beauty and the Nenets will be wearing their traditional winter clothes, the weather is not that cold and the daylight is much longer than in winter. Also, the Reindeer Herders Festival takes place at the end of March and the migration starts in mid-April.

With almost the entirety of its territory above the Arctic Circle, Yamal is completely ice-bound for seven to nine months of the year. In deepest winter, darkness shrouds the peninsula, snow piles up metres high and on the very coldest days see the temperature plummet to below – 50°C. The coldest months are January and February when the average temperature lies between -24°C and -28°C. For much of the short summer season, the sun never dips below the horizon, lighting up the vast tundra and muskeg landscape 24 hours a day. The warmest months of the year are July and August, with average temperatures around 5°C on the Arctic Ocean coast of the Kara Sea, up to 10°C in the Yenisei Gulf.

Temps and daylight hours in Yamal

Getting there and around.

Nearly all tour groups and independent travellers begin their journey deeper into the Yamal region from Salekhard, the capital of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region.

Salekhard is the only city in the world, located directly on the Arctic Circle. As you might imagine, residents aren’t exactly your everyday small townsfolk, and the city comes across as simultaneously tough and quirky. Russian settlers founded the town on the banks of the Ob River in 1595. It became a popular place for exiling dissidents during the Tsarists and Soviet periods. These days, Salekhard is a thriving, surprisingly prosperous town. In fact, it’s one of the most affluent in the entire Arctic region, thanks to the discovery of nearby oil and gas reserves. For visitors, Salekhard is an interesting place to spend a day or so.

Attractions include:

• Shemanovskiy Yamal-Nenets District Museum and Exhibition Complex. Compact well-organised and surprisingly engaging, this museum focuses on the anthropological and natural history of Yamal and makes a great primer before diving deeper into the Nenets culture. The most interesting exhibits relate to the relatively recent local discovery of woolly mammoth remains. The highlight is “Baby Lyuba” the mummified body of a mammoth calf which is almost completely intact, despite being approximately 42,000 years old.
• Odorsky Burg (Master’s Town) .A short walk from the city centre is this small historical replica village. The collection of wooden farmhouses and religious buildings represent how the town might have looked after it was settled by the Cossacks in the 16 th century.
• Polar Circle Monument . Roughly half of Salekhard lies north of the Arctic Circle. A shiny modern monument marks the Polar Circle’s exact latitudinal line. Worth stopping by for a ‘geography selfie’.
• Mammoth Monument . A large sculpture of a woolly mammoth stands on the shores of the Ob, close to where several mammoth finds have been uncovered. There’s not much else to look at but getting there requires crossing an impressive frozen bridge over the icy Ob River.

By air from Moscow or St Petersburg

By far the easiest way to reach Yamal is by air. Yamal Airlines flies once per day between Moscow, St Petersburg and Salekhard, and the flight time is just under three hours and costs about US $150 one way.

By train from Moscow

If you are planning to arrive to Yamal y train, your final stop will be Labytnangi, which be reached via two to two and a half-day train trip from Moscow. From here, you will need to get to Salekhard by car, over the frozen ice of the Ob River. In the summer, the two towns are connected by a ferry route.

Note that some parts of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region may require a special Border Zone permit for outsiders to be granted access. Your tour agency will advise you in advance if you need to apply for this permit for your particular trip. If your tour requires this permit, it must be arranged 2 months in advance.

Eating and sleeping in Yamal

Food and accommodation in salekhard.

As the prosperous polar city of Salekhard slowly begins to receive more outside visitors, the options for accommodation in town are slowly on the increase. Don’t come to Salekhard expecting luxury – however, there is a reasonable choice of two and three-star tourist guesthouses and business hotels located in the centre of town. Salekhard has quite a decent selection of restaurants and cafes serving Russian, international and traditional Yamal cuisine. Breakfasts are typically included with your hotel stay, while meals run at approximately 1,300 RUB (US $20) for lunch and about 2,000 RUB (US $30) for dinner.

Beyond Salekhard

Once you move beyond Salekhard, deeper into the tundra and the territory of the nomadic Nenets, you’ll be sleeping in the reindeer camps inside the chums, generally sharing a chum with a host family. The chums are cosily warm even during the harshest winters, heated by an open stove and the heat kept in by a covering of thick reindeer hide.

On some group tours, a private chum for the group may be a possibility for those not wishing to stay with a Nenets family. The Nenets however, are sociable and curious and generally happy to talk to visitors and exchange experiences and ideas after a long day maintaining the camp.

Meals and eating customs in the Nenets camp

Once at camp, visitors usually subsist on the typical nomadic diet, mostly made up of preserved meat, fish, bread, jam, condensed milk, biscuits and tea. Soup, rice, pasta, noodles and other packaged foods are usually also provided or can be purchased beforehand in Salekhard.

While Nenets mostly eat reindeer meat raw, you certainly won’t be expected to do the same. As long as you show respect for their customs, you can choose whether to partake or not. It should be remembered that this is intended to be a culturally immersive experience, with everything that entails.

Tour packages in Yamal Peninsula

Due to the extreme remoteness of the Yamal Peninsula, and the logistical and communication challenges involved in organising a homestay with the Nenets, we strongly advise that visitors travel to Yamal on an organised tour . Your tour organisers will arrange your stay with one of the Nenets groups open to receiving visitors. They should also arm you with all the information you’ll need to prepare for a trip to one of the coldest and least-visited populated regions on the planet.

56 th Parallel offers a number of culturally immersive tours to the Yamal Peninsula during the key periods of the spring and autumn reindeer migrations, and the annual Reindeer Herder’s Festival. We also offer a winter photography tour (outside the migration season) offering a homestay with the Nenets and exceptional conditions for hunting the Northern Lights over the tundra over the star-strewn Arctic winter sky. 

All photos used in the article belongs to Russian photographers ©Kirill Uyutnov and Katerina Vasyagina.

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