Discovering Bruny Island

Bruny Island hangs off the southeast coast of Tasmania like an elongated dragon with an extra-large foot.

The island is actually two land masses, cleverly named North and South Bruny, which are connected by a thin, low spit of land called The Neck. People flock here for Bruny’s staggering sea cliffs, quiet beaches, and vast natural spaces.

Hiking the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track (North Bruny)

Bruny Island is known for its many short walking tracks. After a bit of quick research, we opted to head out on the Cape Queen Elizabeth Track on North Bruny.

The trail here is mostly sand, and at first it’s wide and easy-going. Eventually the walk leads you to the Big Lagoon.

The natural world around the lagoon is eerie and fascinating.

A Beach and a View

From here, the trail starts to get narrower and less friendly. We were glad we’d worn long pants, because the brush and shrubbery that line the trail haven’t been trimmed in a dog’s age. But it’s all worth it, because you eventually get to this massive, empty beach …

… and what are known as Blighs Rocks.

AllTrails calls this track a moderate, 4.3-mile lollipop hike that should take just over an hour and a half. But that’s only if you time the hike perfectly, which requires real advance planning. The official track runs along the beach at the base of the rocks, and you can only do that at absolute low tide. If there’s any water at all at the rocks’ edge (as you can see there was in the photo above), you need to turn around, retrace your steps partway, and take an inland trail that leads up over the hills. It gets steep in places here — this is where pretty much all of the elevation gain happens.

Fortunately, the climb leads to an amazing view of the beach on the other side.

At this point, you can: (1) walk down to that beach, (2) opt for a much longer hike by taking the Rookery Track to St. Peter’s Church, or (3) turn around and head back to your car. No matter which you choose, it’ll be a great hike. Do make sure to wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring water — it’s hot out there!

Cruising the Coast (South Bruny)

For our second adventure, we chose the much-ballyhooed Bruny Island Cruises off the coast of South Bruny. This three-hour boat trip is absolutely worth every pretty penny you have to pay for it. There’s just no other way to see the rocky coastline …

… wild rock formations …

… and sea arches and sea caves:

This cruise is a great way to see the ocean in all its wonder.

The boat takes you down to the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean …

… and then you head out to see the seals!

It’s so much fun to see them cavorting on and around the rocks.

But the real treats of this trip were the pods of dolphins that came to play alongside of our boat.

You can’t expect dolphins on a trip like this, of course, but you can always hope. During migration season, you might even be lucky enough to see whales.

Tips for Taking a Bruny Island Cruise

• Book in advance. The boats are small (they only fit about 40 people), so there are limited seats.
• Sit in the front for maximum fun.
• Bring extra footwear. Even though they’ll give you a giant red suit to keep you dry, you’re likely to get wet feet! We were glad that we had extra pairs of dry shoes and socks waiting for us in the car.
• Have tea at the cafe, but skip the food. If you want a great meal, head to the Bruny Island Cheese Company for a cheese plate.
• Dress warmly! We were happy to be bundled up in parkas, hats, and scarves, especially when the boat got up to speed.

Bruny Island: Day Trip from Hobart or Overnight Stay?

You can do both the cruise and the hike in a single day trip from Hobart, though you’ll have to plan well and move quickly. I would recommend finding a place to stay — we loved our Airbnb in South Bruny — so you can kick back, enjoy the quiet, and watch the sunset.

Based in Hobart and planning day trips? Don’t miss the top of the Tasman Peninsula, Mount Field, and the iconic Mount Wellington/kunanyi.