Bruny Island Cruises: Unveil Bruny Island Tasmania’s Beauty In 8 Hours

Bruny Island Cruises: Unveil Bruny Island Tasmania’s Beauty In 8 Hours
Rachel
Rachel 
Published
| 4 min read

Bruny Island, located off the southeastern coast of Tasmania, is accessible via a 20-minute vehicular ferry ride from a coastal town called Kettering, south of the Australian state’s capital - Hobart. Famous for its wildlife and stunning coastline, this long and narrow island is not to be missed for travellers seeking a nature adventure tour in Tasmania. Explore the scenic island either with a self-drive tour from Hobart, or join one of the professional guided tour operators for a fascinating and fun-filled tour. Follow me on a tour with the highly acclaimed Bruny Island Cruises to discover the fascinating beauty of Bruny Island within 8 hours!

The beautiful day begins with a short pleasant ferry ride at Kettering

bruny island cruises: unveil bruny island tasmania’s beauty in 8 hours | the beautiful day begins with a short pleasant ferry ride at kettering

Travellers who join the full day eco-tour with Bruny Island Cruises will gather at the Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Booking Centre along Hobart’s waterfront on Franklin Wharf, next to the Constitution Dock Lifting Bridge to board the bus to Kettering departing at 8.00am daily. The guide for the day will give an interactive and informative briefing on the bus ride about Bruny Island as well as what you can expect for the day ahead. Upon arrival at Kettering, you will take a short but scenic vehicular Mirambeena ferry ride offering splendid views of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel from the upper deck to North Bruny Island. This 20-minute ferry ride offers a sneak peek of the exciting 3-hour Tasmanian wilderness cruise through the eastern coastline of South Bruny Island you will be taking later on.

Relax and enjoy morning tea at Adventure Bay

bruny island cruises: unveil bruny island tasmania’s beauty in 8 hours | relax and enjoy morning tea at adventure bay

After a 30-minute ride on the bus to bring you from the deserted Robert Point bushland in the North to Adventure Bay in South Bruny Island, you will stop by the little beach-side cafe at the Cruise Centre for a refreshing morning tea break. Pick a spot in the cafe near the window and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea with a freshly baked blueberry muffin with a picturesque view of the bay. This popular tourist area used to be named Storm Bay, because the first European to sight the bay - Abel Tasman, wanted to anchor his vessel Heemskerck there in 1642, but was driven back by a storm. After a century later, it became a popular anchorage for European explorers offering an abundance of fresh water and wildlife. If you still have some time before you board the 3-hour eco-cruise, don’t forget to check out the amazing coastline along the walk to the pier.

Admire the impressive coastal scenery

bruny island cruises: unveil bruny island tasmania’s beauty in 8 hours | admire the impressive coastal scenery

Be prepared for strong northeasterly winds as you board the exhilarating 3-hour eco-cruise at the pier, for Adventure Bay is famous for that. If you join this cruise tour during the colder months from May to September, don’t say no to the wet weather warm coats, beanies and thick gloves provided with compliments by the cruise management. As the cruise begins, the friendly guide onboard will also be distributing ginger pills to everyone to alleviate possible motion sickness. These will definitely come in handy to keep you warm and prevent any possible seasickness so that you can enjoy the tour in utmost comfort.

Throughout this eco-cruise, you will marvel at the impressive eastern coastline of South Bruny that brings you from Captain Cook’s Landing Place in Adventure Bay to Penguin Island, Fluted Cape, Cape Connella, Mangana Bluff, Boreel Head, The Friars, Bridge Rock, Arched Island and Haulage Bay. Look out for colourful and towering cliff rocks, the geyser at Boreel Head, as well as the lush emerald green forest landscape. Don’t forget to snap pictures of the towering monument as seen in the picture, it simply makes your cruise boat appear like a dwarf in comparison!

Get up close to the Australian wildlife on the cruise

Albatross (seabird) & Fur Seals on the Friar Rocks

Besides admiring the spectacular coastal scenery during the cruise, you can also look forward to seeing the Australian coastal wildlife up close. Within 15 minutes from cruising out of the pier, you will likely spot dolphins moving swiftly in the waters. If you happen to join this tour in the May to July period or September to December period, and Lady Luck is shining on you, you may even get to see the endangered blue whales in the waters! In addition, the albatross, black-faced cormorant and Australian fur seal are a common sight as you cruise along the eastern side of South Bruny. The fur seals may perform some acrobatic stunts in the water to earn your praises if they are feeling good!

Gourmet treats and more after the eco-cruise

bruny island cruises: unveil bruny island tasmania’s beauty in 8 hours | gourmet treats and more after the eco-cruise

After an thrilling 3-hour eco-cruise to check out the unique wildlife and landscape off the windy South Bruny coastal region, tuck into a wholesome and delectable lunch back at Adventure Bay. You may look forward to a tantalising local meal comprising of homemade piping hot pumpkin soup, gourmet salad roll made with fresh Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon as well as a selection of organic juices to choose from. Thereafter, you will stop by at the Neck - an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. Over here, you will be able to get a splendid 360-degree view of the island by climbing up the timber stairs to the Neck lookout. It is an important habitat for Bruny’s native wildlife, and the boardwalks and viewing platforms at the lookout allow you to observe short-tailed shearwaters (seabirds) and little penguins return at dusk. The best viewing period is from September to February in the warmer months. Before the bus departs Bruny Island, oyster lovers take note! Don’t leave Bruny before you lay your hands on some fresh local oysters at Get Shucked, a drive-through oysters farm cum bar, at just 8 AUD (~5.60 USD) for half a dozen oysters, or 15 AUD (~10.60 USD) for a box of dozen oysters.

Unforgettable 8 hours at Bruny Island

With such experienced tour guides bringing you around beautiful Bruny Island in Southern Tasmania, I’m sure you will enjoy the day out with Bruny Island Cruises chasing after native wildlife in the sea, admiring the picturesque scenery and tasting palatable local produce! It is a great introductory tour to first-time visitors seeking an authentic eco-adventure experience. Of course, there is much more Bruny has to offer with its wide variety of native wildlife and lovely natural beauty. After this fun and memorable day out, I’m sure you will love the island and return for more adventure next time!

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Rachel has forgotten when and exactly how she caught the travel bug. What she does remember is the triumphant feeling she enjoys when she sees the fascinating world out there with her own eyes. She...Read more

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