South Bruny National Park

Wrapped along the rugged southern coastline of Bruny Island, this park features some of Australia’s highest sea cliffs and one of its oldest lighthouses.

The park covers Bruny Island’s wildest edge, where eucalypt forests, coastal scrub and heathland tip into the Southern Ocean, which roars ashore in places such as Cloudy Bay.

It’s a park best seen on foot, with walks ranging from easy beach strolls to clifftop climbs.

Highlights

Cloudy Bay

This large bay snipped into the south coast is all things to all people: campground, swimming spot, walking trail, 4WD road, and surf location.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

The fourth lighthouse built in Australia stands atop the cliffs of Cape Bruny, rising 114m above the fierce Southern Ocean. 

Wildlife

The park is home to all 12 of Tasmania’s endemic birds, including the endangered forty-spotted pardalote. Rare white wallabies are often spotted near the start of the Fluted Cape walking trail.

Walks

Fluted Cape

Follow the coast from Adventure Bay to the abandoned whaling station at Green Point, then ascend to the tip of Fluted Cape for a lofty perspective on the island’s cliffs (2hr 30min, 4km). One of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks.

Labillardiere Peninsula

Loop the perimeter of this thumb-like peninsula, mixing bush and beach with excellent coastal views and an abundance of wildflowers (5hr 30min-6hr 30min, 18km). One of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks.

East Cloudy Head

Wander the length of hard-packed Cloudy Bay and then ascend to the point of this headland for a view along Bruny Island’s south coast and across to Tasmania’s southern mountains (4hr return, 12km).

Other activities

Bruny Island Cruises

Get the water-level view of the park’s cliffs on a three-hour boat trip from Adventure Bay, rounding Fluted Cape and heading to the island’s southern tip, where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse

Ascend the spiral staircase and step out onto the balcony of the only lighthouse in southern Tasmania open for tours.

Need to know

Camping

There’s camping inside the national park at Cloudy Bay and Jetty Beach. Other accommodation is available on the island in nearby towns such as Adventure Bay and Alonnah.

Fuel

There's only one petrol station on Bruny Island – at Adventure Bay – so consider filling up before crossing to the island.

Entry

A parks pass is required for entry to Tasmania’s national parks.

Where

Bruny Island is accessed via a 20min vehicular ferry crossing from Kettering, which is a 30min (33km) drive south of Hobart. The ferry runs several times daily. From the ferry terminal at Roberts Point, it’s a 30min drive (37km) to Adventure Bay and the national park.

More detail

https://parks.tas.gov.au/explore-our-parks/south-bruny-national-park