Morning: Adventure Bay
Travel Time to Kettering from CBD: 35 minutes
Drive out to Kettering and embark on a ferry ride to Bruny Island. You will need to pay for the fee over (this covers you both ways). Upon payment, you’ll also receive a free map. Neat! Line up as instructed, and enjoy the ferry ride across.
Click here for Bruny Island ferry times and to purchase tickets early.
Travel Time to Adventure Bay after ferry: 40 minutes
Once you arrive, your first stop is Adventure Bay. With its golden sands and azure waters, it’s the very picture of serenity. The bay, with its rich marine life, is also a hotspot for dolphin and whale sightings.Â
What to do in Adventure Bay:
Afternoon: Lighthouse or Cape Queen Elizabeth
If you’re planning on visiting Cape Queen Elizabeth, drive to The Neck Lookout. If you plan on visiting the lighthouse, skip The Neck for now and visit on your way back to the ferry.
Travel Time to Cape Bruny Lighthouse: 50 minutes.
Travel Time to Cape Queen Elizabeth: 20 minutes.
1. Cape Bruny Lighthouse
Standing tall at the southern tip of Bruny Island, the Cape Bruny Lighthouse is an iconic beacon of history and maritime significance. As the second oldest extant lighthouse tower in Australia, it has illuminated the waters for 158 years, guiding countless mariners safely along the treacherous coastline. Constructed in 1838, the lighthouse was built by convict labour using locally quarried dolerite. The panoramic views from the lighthouse are breathtaking, offering a 360-degree vista of the vast ocean, rugged cliffs, and the pristine wilderness of South Bruny National Park. The lighthouse stands as a testament to Tasmania’s rich maritime history and the enduring spirit of its early settlers.
A guided tour of the lighthouse typically lasts about 20 minutes, but it’s recommended to allocate at least 1-2 hours for the entire visit to explore the surrounding areas and enjoy the views.
2. Cape Queen Elizabeth Walk
The Cape Queen Elizabeth Walk is a captivating journey through the diverse landscapes of Bruny Island. Starting from the Big Lagoon car park, the trail meanders through coastal heathlands, pristine beaches, and towering dunes.
As you traverse the trail, you’ll be treated to stunning views of The Neck, Adventure Bay, and the distant Tasman Peninsula. The highlight of the walk is the Mars Bluff Arch, a natural rock formation carved by the relentless waves. The trail offers a perfect blend of coastal beauty, wildlife spotting, and a touch of adventure, making it a must-do for nature enthusiasts.
The walk is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) return and takes about 4 hours to complete at a moderate pace. You can simply walk to the arch and return if time doesn’t allow (2 hours and 7km return for this section). There are some small sand dunes here as well!
Bruny Island Cheese Company
Conclude your day at the Bruny Island Cheese Company. Dive into a cheese-tasting session, savouring the rich textures and flavours of artisanal cheeses. And perhaps, pick a few for your journey back.
Check opening hours and plan accordingly if you don’t want to miss it.
Evening: Dinner in Hobart
You’ve been in Hobart for two nights now, go and have some fun! Try a meal from another location we mentioned for Day 2, or visit our Facebook Group and ask others what they’ve enjoyed! You can visit our Facebook page here!
