Bruny Island at a glance
Bruny Island lies south of Hobart. You drive to Kettering, take the car ferry to Roberts Point on the island and drive on from there. The ferry runs every day of the year. Many visitors see the island on a long day trip from Hobart, but the distances add up, so it helps to decide early what you want to see.
The best-known stop is The Neck, the narrow land bridge that links North and South Bruny. The photo shows it from the lookout. At dusk the Neck is also a place to watch little penguins and short-tailed shearwaters. South of it, South Bruny National Park and Cape Bruny Lighthouse need more time and, in the case of the park, a Parks Pass.
Getting there: the Kettering ferry
The ferry sails between Kettering and Roberts Point.
Driving to Kettering
The ferry operator gives about 35 minutes by road from Hobart to Kettering. The parks agency says 40 minutes. Plan for the longer figure and add time for the queue.
The crossing
The operator gives about 20 minutes for the crossing, while the parks agency says 15. Neither is a guaranteed time. Check the current timetable before you go, especially in summer.
No reserved departure
Vehicles board in a queue. A ticket bought in advance does not reserve a particular sailing, and you can also buy at the terminal. All fares are return fares, and you do not have to come back on the same day.
New fare structure
Since 28 September 2026 there are only Regular and Saver fares. The old Super Saver is gone, even though some timetable text still mentions it. Peak prices for Regular fares apply from December.
Our picks: Bruny Island
A full day with the lighthouse, or a day that adds a coastal cruise.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Australian dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Bruny Island day trip with coastal cruise and lunch
A guided bus from and to Hobart, a three-hour coastal cruise with a windproof jacket, the ferry crossings, morning tea and lunch. The ride back goes to your Hobart hotel.
Check availability →Full-day Bruny Island tour with lighthouse visit
Ten hours with a local guide, hotel pickup and return, ferry both ways, a guided visit to Cape Bruny Lighthouse and its museum, and a national park pass. A morning tasting and a main course at Hotel Bruny are included; drinks with meals are extra, except water on the bus.
Check availability →Bruny Island tours from Hobart
Guided day trips to Bruny Island that handle the ferry and the driving, with live prices and availability.
Ferry fares for 2026 compared
Return fares in Australian dollars, valid from 28 September 2026. Passengers, including the driver and walk-on passengers, travel free.
| Vehicle | Regular, to 30 Nov 2026 | Peak, Dec to Apr | Saver, set times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car under 6 m | A$58.60 | A$67.30 | A$50.90 |
| Car under 6 m, concession | A$43.20 | A$49.60 | A$37.50 |
| Vehicle 6 to 10 m | A$100.10 | A$115.10 | A$87.20 |
| Motorcycle or bicycle | A$8.10 | – | – |
The concession fare applies to Australian pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders under the operator's conditions. If you hire a car, read the rental contract first. One rental company allows ferry trips to Bruny but not driving on roads closed or washed out by weather, so rules differ by company.
The Neck and the penguins
The Neck sits in the Bruny Island Neck Conservation Area. A viewing platform there is named by the parks agency as a place to watch little penguins and short-tailed shearwaters at dusk. Sightings are not guaranteed. A boardwalk crosses the dunes, and a staircase leads up to the lookout.
If you go for the penguins, follow these rules:
- Use the existing paths and settle quietly before it gets dark.
- Stay at least 3 m from burrow entrances and keep the paths clear.
- Use only a dim red light, never point it at animals or the water, and use no light at all where signs say so.
- No flash photography on the beach.
- No dogs or cats, and do not crowd the animals.
For other wildlife outside wildlife parks, keep at least 2 m away and do not feed animals. Drive slowly between dusk and dawn, when animals cross roads.
South Bruny and Cape Bruny Lighthouse
The south of the island needs more time and a Parks Pass.
South Bruny National Park
A Parks Pass is required. For 2026 (from 1 July) a Daily Vehicle pass costs A$49.15 for up to 24 hours and up to 8 people. A Daily Person pass costs A$24.55, and children under 5 are free. A Holiday Vehicle pass for up to 2 months costs A$98.35. The beaches are not patrolled and strong currents are possible, so do not treat any beach as safe to swim.
Cape Bruny Lighthouse
Visits need advance booking and a Parks Pass. The operator describes daily tours of 20 to 30 minutes, usually from 10:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 at half-hour intervals, with extra early and late tours from November to March. Sunset tours run on Fridays and Saturdays or on request, not in June to August. The price list on the operator's main page ended in March 2025, so ask for the current fee when you book.
The road south
The operator mentions 18 km of gravel road and about 1 hour 15 minutes from the ferry to the lighthouse. The figure comes from an undated page, so allow extra time and check your rental car rules for gravel.
Combine Bruny with other days
The island suits a full day, so pair it with something short in the city.
Bruny Island: frequently asked questions
Do I need to book the ferry?
You can buy at the terminal, and a ticket bought in advance does not reserve a specific sailing. Vehicles board in a queue, so arrive early on busy days.
How much does the ferry cost in 2026?
A car under 6 m pays A$58.60 return from 28 September to 30 November 2026 and A$67.30 from December to April. A Saver fare is A$50.90 at set times. Passengers travel free.
Can I take a rental car to Bruny Island?
It depends on the company. One rental company allows ferry travel to Bruny but excludes roads closed or washed out by weather. Read your contract before you book.
Will I see penguins at The Neck?
Maybe. The platform is named as a viewing place at dusk, but sightings are not guaranteed. Keep 3 m from burrows, use only dim red light and take no flash photos.
Do I need a Parks Pass on Bruny?
For South Bruny National Park, yes. A Daily Vehicle pass costs A$49.15 in 2026. A Parks Pass does not cover the ferry or the lighthouse tour.
Is it a day trip from Hobart?
Many people do it in a day. Allow for the drive to Kettering, the queue, the crossing and the island roads, and check the last ferry back.