Bruny Island Island

Address: Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia

Bruny Island is an island off the southeast coast of Tasmania, Australia, made up of North and South Bruny joined by a narrow isthmus known as The Neck.

The island has a long Aboriginal and European history and developed as a farming and fishing community; in recent decades tourism and nature-based activities have grown in importance. The lighthouse dates from the 19th century and served as a navigational aid for coastal shipping.

Bruny Island lies off Tasmania’s southeastern coast and is reached by a short vehicle ferry from Kettering, south of Hobart; the island is a common daytrip or overnight stay for visitors based in Hobart.

• Two-part island: Two distinct landmasses called North Bruny and South Bruny are joined by a narrow isthmus known as The Neck; this feature is the island’s main viewpoint and seabird-watching spot.
• Ferry access: Regular vehicle ferries run from Kettering on the Tasmanian mainland; the crossing takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

What to See#

• The Neck: The Neck, a narrow sand and shell isthmus linking North and South Bruny, with a widely used viewpoint and a short boardwalk to nearby dunes and beaches.
• Cape Bruny Lighthouse: Cape Bruny Lighthouse at the island’s southern tip, a 19th-century lightstation that marked shipping routes and is a focal landmark on coastal drives and boat trips.
• South Bruny National Park: South Bruny National Park protects coastal heath, cliffs and forested areas on the southern half of the island and contains walking trails and picnic sites.

Bruny Island is reached from mainland Tasmania via the vehicle ferry at Kettering. From Hobart drive south on the Channel Highway (B68) to Kettering (about a 30-40 minute drive, roughly 30-35 km), then take the car ferry across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel (Sealink operates the short crossing, around 15-20 minutes). Once on Bruny Island the island’s main road links the north and south; most visitor sites are a short drive from the ferry terminal and many require a car or taxi to reach.

• Use the vehicle ferry from Kettering to Bruny Island and time your crossing outside peak holiday hours (early morning or late afternoon) to avoid long queues for boarding and the single-carriage ramp.
• Head to The Neck viewpoint early or late in the day for the best light and far fewer coach groups; the isthmus is popular with photographers and birdwatchers and can become crowded midday.
• If you want to visit Cape Bruny Lighthouse interiors, check and book seasonal guided tours in advance-access to the lighthouse itself is limited and operated separately from general island access.