7 Best Bruny Island Tours From Hobart
Got a spare day in your Tassie itinerary? I recommend doing one of the many incredible Bruny Island tours from Hobart.
Pristine coasts, gourmet food and wine, quirky wildlife – it’s the best way to see the island and in this guide I compare all the options!
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It’s pretty easy to spend a day exploring most of Hobart’s biggest sights, but if you’ve got another day up your sleeve…what next?
A day tour from Hobart to Bruny Island is the perfect way to spend your time, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the options, ranging from gourmet luxury on the seas to budget exploration.
This island is like a mini-version of Tasmania, but with even less traffic and plenty more wildlife. And for such a small place the food options are ridiculously good, whether they come from the land or the sea.
Keen on a cruise? You’re totally covered with some of the best, most exciting cruises you’ll find anywhere in Australia, including one very luxurious seafood+cruise experience that you have to see to believe.
Keep reading to find out more about all the options.
Compare Bruny Island tours from Hobart
The table below gives you a handy summary of all the tours, comparing on cost and style. Use the links on the right to make your booking.
| Company | Tour Name | Style | Description | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruny Island Safaris | Food, Sightseeing and Lighthouse Tour | Attractions & Food | The best all-round tour – combining attractions, food and nature. 10% OFF: LAPOFTAS | $195 | |
| Bruny Island Safaris | Nature and Bushwalking Tour | Walking | The best outdoors and nature tour | $155 | On Hold |
| Pennicott Wilderness Journies | Bruny Island Cruise | Cruise | The most affordable boat cruise tour | $245 | |
| Pennicott Wilderness Journies | Seafood Seduction | Cruise & Food | The best boat cruise and foodie experience | $685 | |
| Pennicott Wilderness Journies | Bruny Island Traveller | Food | The best tour for foodies | $175 | |
| Tassie Tours | Day Tour | Attractions & Food | The best budget tour for younger travellers | $145 | |
| Shutterbug Walkabouts | Bruny Island Private Tour | Photography | Best for nature and wildlife photos | $410 |
* Per person prices were calculated using a booking for 2 adults (Oct. 2019)
Bruny Island Safaris
The best all-round Bruny Island tour company, providing the perfect balance of attractions, food and nature.
Bruny Island Safaris – Foods, Sightseeing and Lighthouse Tour
It’s hard to believe that Bruny Island Safaris can cram so much into a day tour!
All the best sights are covered, including the iconic views from ‘The Neck’, the sweeping white sands of Adventure Bay, and even an exclusive tour of Cape Bruny Lighthouse at the very bottom of the island (you can’t do this on any of the other tours).
Foodies will be struggling to roll themselves back into the van at the end of the day.
- Morning tea – A rustic affair on the beach, combining locally-sourced cheese, super fresh oysters, and wood-fired oven bread.
- Lunch – Their collaboration with Bruny Hotel means you have a huge range of choices – crispy fish and chips are an option, as is their mouth-watering lamb, but honestly, I don’t know how you could say no to a seafood platter for two!
- Tastings – You want more? You greedy thing! There are opportunities through the day for tasting chocolates, honey and even cider (also exclusive to this tour).
Bruny Island Safaris are big supporters of the Lap of Tasmania, and to say ‘thank you’ they are offering readers a very generous 10% OFF this awesome tour when you use my LAPOFTAS code!
Cost: From $215 for adults, and $195 for children 11 years and younger
Suitable for children: Yes (except the Lighthouse tour, where for safety reasons children under 5 years must stay on the ground)
When: Daily
>> Book your Bruny Island Safaris Tour <<
Bruny Island Safaris – 10% OFF
Use my LAPOFTAS code when booking your ‘Food, Sightseeing and Lighthouse‘ tour with Bruny Island Safaris and receive a generous 10% OFF!
Valid for direct bookings only.
Bruny Island Safaris – Nature and Bushwalking Tour
Note: This tour has been on hold since covid disrupted travel to Tasmania, however I am hopeful it may resume as travel patterns get back to normal. So please check their website for the latest info!
I love this tour because it is the only one that gets you deep into the bush and out onto the coast where you can focus on the beautiful natural wonders of Bruny Island.
There are a number of different walks possible, but most tours include morning walks to Mars Bluff and Cape Queen Elizabeth, with time for another 1.5hr walk after lunch.
Even though you’re off the beaten track, the food options are surprisingly good. A bento box jam-packed full of local Tassie produce is the perfect lunch – think Tassie salmon, gourmet small-goods, salads, dips, slices and more…!
There are also opportunities for tastings of cheese, oysters, honey and cider at other times during the day.
This tour gets you on the trail, so you’ll be pleased to know that backpacks and ponchos are available, and even gaiters can be provided on request.
Cost: $155 per person
Suitable for children: No
When: Currently on hold
>> Book your Bruny Island Safaris Nature Tour Here <<
Pennicott Wilderness Journeys
The best Bruny Island tours for exploring the spectacular coastline and tasting the freshest produce straight from the sea.
Pennicott – Bruny Island Cruise
If you have heard about the magnificent coastal scenery and marine wildlife of Bruny Island and want to experience it for yourself – this is the tour for you.
This multi award-winning 3hr boat cruise by Pennicott Wilderness Journeys starts its journey in Adventure Bay before ducking in and out of the spectacular caves and coves of the eastern coastline of Bruny Island, all the way down to where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean (I won’t spoil it – but it is a sight to behold!).
Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll spot seals, dolphins, sea eagles and more. This is Tasmania at its most wild, so remember to dress warm.
The price quoted below is for their all-inclusive tour from Hobart. If you have your own vehicle and can get to Adventure Bay then you can pay for just the cruise (click here to see prices for this option).
Cost: From $245 for adults, and $175 for children (3-16 yrs)
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
>> Book your Bruny Island Cruise (Day Tour) here <<
Pennicott – Seafood Seduction
This is one cruise you will never forget – and it’s a ‘must do’ if you love your seafood.
You’ll be picked up from the Hobart waterfront before cruising your way down the gorgeous D’Entrecasteaux Channel by boat to Bruny Island.
Picture yourself relaxing on leather chairs, glass of bubbles in hand and supping on plump oysters, while your tour guide dives into the icy waters in search of your next meal!
Crayfish (rock lobster), sea urchins, sashimi, mussels, and even Tasmania’s most prized delicacy – abalone – will find their way onto your lunch plate barely seconds after leaving the water.
The drinks on offer are some of Tassie’s finest as well. Jansz sparkling wines, Bruny Island Premium Wines, Moo Brew Beers, WIllie Smith’s ciders, and even local organic pressed juices. The perfect accompaniment to the sublime seafood, and all free-flowing!
This a truly memorable tour, unmatched anywhere else in the world.
Cost: From $685 per person
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
>> Book your Seafood Seduction Tour <<
Pennicott – Bruny Island Traveller
Are you a hard core foodie? This tour will be right up your alley!
One day. Seven courses. Endless explosions of flavour.
How does this sound?
- Bruny Island Cheese Co. – As a wise man once said, “Blessed are the cheesemakers”. This is more than just a tasting – you will meet the artisans behind this range of cheeses and learn about their philosophy and approach.
- Get Shucked Oysters – Many claim these are the best in Tasmania. Find out for yourself!
- Bruny Island Cruises Cafe – Your ideal destination for morning tea, perched on the edge of Adventure Bay.
- Bruny Island Premium Wines – Wines? Check! Views? Check! Cellar door lunch that makes you go yummmm…? You bet!
- Bruny Island Chocolate Company – After your gourmet lunch you’ll be loving the chocolates and fudge on offer for a little sweet relief.
- Bruny Island Honey – Start winding down the day with a delicious tasting of Bruny Island’s own honey.
- Bruny Island House of Whisky – Tasmania is a big name in the whisky world, and you can taste some of it best here at the Bruny Island House of Whisky (or a gin if you that’s your favourite tipple)
Put on your elasticised pants and leave the scales at home, because this is the ultimate on-shore foodie experience!
Cost: From $210 per adult and $175 for children (3-17 yrs)
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
>> Book your Bruny Island Traveller Tour here <<
Tassie Tours
The best Bruny Island tour on a budget, for younger travellers and the young at heart.
With Tassie Tours you are guaranteed a fun day out from Hobart.
They cover all the major attractions on Bruny, offering a good combination of both natural sights and food tasting options that will appeal to the budget-conscious.
Highlights of the tour typically include ‘The Neck’, Cape Bruny Lighthouse, and albino wallaby spotting. Tassie Tours are also the only company to visit Bruny Island Berry Farm, and they are one of the few that take you to Bruny Island Premium Wines.
What I really like about Tassie Tours is that they tailor your itinerary to make the most of the weather on the day.
On warmer, sunnier days the tour leans towards the outdoors, with lagoons, beaches and short walks a priority (still including some delicious tastings!). While on wetter, cooler days you will enjoy focusing a little bit more on the foodie side of things.
It’s nice to know that regardless of what the weather does, you’ll always finish the day with the opportunity for a delicious a pub meal, followed by Bruny Island’s famous cheese, honey and oysters!
The pub meal will cost you a little extra, or you can always BYO and enjoy the fresh air.
No fuss and 100% fun – this is a great day out that won’t hit you in the hip pocket.
Cost: From $145 per person
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
>> Book your Tassie Tours Day Tour here <<
Shutterbug Walkabouts
The best Bruny Island tour for wildlife and landscape photographers.
Shutterbug Walkabouts is a tour company specialising in tours for photographers.
Whether you are a beginner with a ‘point and shoot’, or you’re a pro with the latest gear you are guaranteed to come away from a Shutterbug tour with new skills and the confidence to capture the best of Tasmania’s wildlife and landscapes.
Bruny has so many opportunities for photographers – panoramic seascapes, windswept beaches, soaring eucalypt forests, and captivating flora and fauna.
Your tour guide is a photographer who knows all the best spots on Bruny to get the perfect shot, and it won’t be long before you are creating images, not just taking snapshots.
The tour comes with a few optional extras, and the one I have linked to includes the unique opportunity to spend time in a raptor hide(!) as well as all meals during the day.
Cost: From $410
Suitable for children: Yes (12 years and older)
When: Daily
>> Book your Bruny Island Photography Tour here <<
Other Bruny Island day tours
Other good companies offering tours of Bruny Island from Hobart include:
- Jump Tasmania – A good option for backpackers and other travellers wanting to see the best of Bruny on a budget
- Under Down Under – A great local Tassie company providing a budget-friendly tour of the island
- Gray Line – These guys have been providing tours across Australia for decades, so you know you can book with confidence.
Where to stay in Hobart
To help with your planning we’ve also reviewed all the hotels, apartment and caravan park options in and around Hobart.
Most tours will pick up from your hotel, but it’s worth checking just in case.
Luxury
Award-winning MACq 01 is right on the waterfront and is the best inner-city luxury option.
Or if you’d prefer to be relaxing on a country estate right next to acclaimed Pooley Wines – you’ll love Prospect House Private Hotel (SAVE 15% with our LAPOFTAS promo code).
Mid-Range
For a great all-rounder suiting couples and families, you can’t beat the RACT/RACV Apartment Hotel near Salamanca. It’s just minutes from the Salamanca Markets!
Budget
For a cute and quirky budget option have a look at the Alabama Hotel in central Hobart. These guys make a mean cocktail at their awesome little balcony bar.
Final thoughts on Bruny Island day tours
As you can see, there are many excellent options for doing a day tour of Bruny Island from Hobart – I hope you have found right one for your Tassie holiday!
Are you also thinking about doing a wine tour in the Hobart region? You’ll love my guide to the Best Hobart Wine Tours.
I appreciate genuine traveller feedback as it helps improve the advice I provide to visitors. If you’ve experienced any of the tours I recommend here I’d love to hear from you over at my Lap of Tasmania Facebook Group!
Happy travels,
Andrew.
Travel planning resources
Tasmania’s remote location means there are internet ‘black spots’ across the island.
A hard copy travel guide or map is the perfect backup, and I love the range from Lonely Planet.
Guide to Tasmania
Buy Now
Map of Tasmania
Buy Now
Road Trip Guide
Buy Now
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