Camping to luxury: 16 of the best Bruny Island accommodation options

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Not sure where to stay on Bruny Island? From tiny houses to romantic retreats, we’ve lined up the best of the bunch on this Tassie escape.

While no one would describe the Tasmanian capital of Hobart as stressful – except, perhaps, during the more hedonistic delights of Dark Mofo – there comes a time on a Tasmanian trip when you might feel the need to get away from it all. Enter Bruny Island.

Known as Lunawanna-Alonnah to the Aboriginal people of the region, this remote-feeling island is just a short ferry ride away from Kettering, south of Hobart. This makes it the ideal place to slip away to for a few days to sleep, hike and feast. Here’s where to stay when you get there.

Bruny Island luxury accommodation

From oysters to indulgent creamy cheeses and rich ciders, Bruny Island has naturally luxurious experiences in spades. Simply turn it up a notch with these getaways.

1. Adventure Bay Retreat

a rustic lodge with a fireplace at Adventure Bay Retreat, Bruny Island
Each self-contained lodge is equipped with fireplaces.

Wander the bushland grounds in search of the famous white wallabies (one of the top things to do while you’re visiting Bruny) when you book into the cosy Adventure Bay Retreat .

Consisting of three separate, self-contained dwellings – a lodge suitable for families or groups, and a cottage and studio aimed at couples – Adventure Bay Retreat showcases beautiful attention to detail, with a warm, homely feel. Think leather couches, timber floors, crackling fireplaces, a bath or spa, and a private deck and barbecue. The beach is at the end of the road.

Address: 49 Hayes Road, Adventure Bay, Bruny Island

2. Cloudy Bay Beach House

an aerial view of Cloudy Bay Beach House, Bruny Island
You’ll be immersed in total seclusion.

If you love the idea of remote luxury, the Cloudy Bay Beach House  will whisk you away to a quiet patch of beach where you can enjoy total seclusion. Rolling waves can be viewed through floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the ridiculously large living room and master bedroom, and, on a clear night, you can sit in the lounge or on the private deck and watch the sky twinkle with a million stars. This home-style accommodation has a fully decked-out kitchen and three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, to comfortably accommodate six people.

Note, you’ll have to trek along a private boardwalk through coastal foliage to reach the beach.

Address: 927 Cloudy Bay Rd, South Bruny

3. Free Spirit Pods 

an eco-pod at Free Spirit Pods, Bruny Island
Stay in an eco-pod that is nestled within nature.

If you want to stoke the flames of romance, book a few days to unwind at Free Spirit Pods . Offering a set of open-plan eco-pods overlooking the stunning waterfront of Quarantine Bay, the owners here can provide you with everything you didn’t know you’d need. This includes providing local provisions to assist your self-catering efforts (though, you’re advised to stock up on food before you arrive – the beauty of such seclusion means you won’t be close to any shops) and letting you in on where to spot the friendly, and oh-so-cute, pademelons that visit every evening. Want to explore further? The nearby Quarantine Station is one of our favourite experiences on Bruny Island.

Address: Davis Rd, North Bruny

4. Hundred Acre Hideaway

a cabin under the starry night sky at Hundred Acre Hideaway, Bruny Island
Sleep under the stars.

A private escape with all the trimmings, very much aimed at the adult market, Hundred Acre Hideaway  comprises two ‘hideaways’ overlooking Cloudy Bay, home to the Bruny Island Classic surfing competition. After popping into Bruny Island Premium Wines to pick up a bottle or two, drive up to Mount Mangana, where you will be staying (note, Coolangatta Road, which cuts across the middle of South Bruny can be rough, so take the Bruny Island Main Road for a smoother drive).

Highlights of this romantic off-grid stay include the option to order a breakfast hamper stuffed with local produce and freshly baked bread, sip local wine on the deck and relax in the timber-lined outdoor hot tub. This will be filled to the brim with mountain water, perfect for a peaceful nighttime soak while looking for the Aurora Australis.

Address: 911 Coolangatta Road, Lunawanna

Bruny Island camping and caravan parks

Bruny Island is blessed with some of Australia’s most beautiful scenery, making it a top location to bring the tent, campervan or motorhome. If you’re after an affordable accommodation option, rest assured there’s plenty on offer for campers at Bruny Island.

5. Captain Cook Caravan Park

campervans parked at Captain Cook Caravan Park, Bruny Island
For a comfortable stay with all the amenities, opt for Captain Cook Caravan Park. (Image: Tourism Tasmania/Rob Burnett)

If you want something with more than the bare-bone facilities offered in some of the cheaper sites, try out the Captain Cook Caravan Park  at Adventure Bay. Pet-friendly and great for campervans, this Bruny Island campground has all the amenities to make your stay that much more comfortable. There’s a laundry and a camp kitchen for cook-ups, as well as accessible cabins, powered and unpowered sites and villas. The best bit? You’ll be directly across the road from the beach.

Address: 786 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay

6. Camping at Bruny Island

glamping tents scattered around the forest
Bruny Island is an ideal glamping spot for outback travellers. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Camping at Bruny Island  is located on 50 acres of secluded bushland in Cloudy Bay, right near the beach. You can choose from three campsites – Lagoon Point, Beach Side or the private Bush Nooks tucked away in the forest.

Campsite amenities include powered and unpowered sites, communal shelters with built-in BBQs, camp showers and flush toilets. You’ll need to bring your own drinking water and firewood.

Address: Lighthouse Rd, South Bruny

7. The Pines Campsite

Also at Cloudy Bay is the free Pines campground, which serves campers on a first-in best-dressed basis. The Pines is a small roadside site, close to the northern end of the bay, popular with surfers. The site includes pit toilets, and you’ll need to supply your own water and firewood.

Address: Cloudy Bay Rd, South Bruny

8. Cloudy Corner Campground

a scenic shot of The Neck, Cloudy Corner Campground
This campground puts you near a spectacular selfie spot at The Neck. (Image: Jess Bonde)

Cloudy Corner is a larger site than the Pines and is closer to the southern end of the bay, where you can hop in your cossie for a swim. Like Jetty Beach and The Neck, this campground will set you back $10. You will need to get behind the wheel of a 4WD to get here though, as the site is reached via a 3-kilometre drive along the beach, only accessible at low tide.

Address: Unmarked road, South Bruny

9. Jetty Beach

For $10 you can camp amongst the trees, just under 10 minutes’ drive from the southerly Bruny Island lighthouse. A quiet, beachside campsite, Jetty Beach has pit toilets, wood barbecues, and campfire areas. No booking is needed.

Oh, and don’t forget your swimmers for a paddle with the kids at the sheltered beach that is here, too. Found at the end of a short, downhill track and surrounded by forest, this quiet patch of beach is simply stunning.

Address: Old Jetty Rd, South Bruny

10. The Neck Reserve Camping Area

a road between a beach and lush greenery at The Neck Reserve Camping Area, Bruny Island
Drive to The Neck Reserve camping area and wake up to the sound of rolling waves. (Image: Jess Bonde)

Want to see the famous fairy penguins at The Neck? Between Bruny’s north and south islands, this narrow isthmus is where you’ll find the Neck Reserve, where these little critters live. If you time your trip right (generally between July and March), you’ll be able to watch them return to their nests after a day out, before you retire to your own bed. Unpowered $10 sites are available. Make sure to bring your own water.

Address: 3003 Bruny Island Main Rd, South Bruny

Bruny Island Airbnbs, cabins and holiday homes

Want your own kitchen to cook up all the culinary delights of Bruny Island or a quiet spot to relax in solitude? Book one of these homes away from home.

11. Bruny Island Hideaway

a see-through glass wall with a view of the forest and rainbow at Bruny Island Hideaway
The forest scenery looks straight out of a painting.

Go off the grid with this architecturally designed, minimalist tiny home, located in a patch of conservation bushland near the township of Allonah. This Scandi-style house , lined with Baltic pine, is perfect for a couple looking for a romantic getaway, with its outdoor bath on the deck, furnished library and crackling fire. The road leading to the property can be rough and uneven, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

Address: Musketts Rd, Allonah

12. Loma Cottages

Loma Cottages are a series of freestanding, one or two-bedroom red cabins (some with kitchen facilities), located up a gravel driveway close to Little Taylor’s Bay. You’ll be tucked amongst the trees, within walking distance to the beach, and it’s a three-minute drive to Bruny Island Premium Wines. There’s also a BBQ and picnic area on-site if you’d rather stay in.

Address: 72 Cemetery Road, Lunawanna

13. Bruny Island Pier House

Arrive by boat (or car) at this remote, rather special holiday home  at Little Taylors Bay on South Bruny. As the name would suggest, a pier stretches out into the waters to welcome you (although you can take a scenic drive if you wish). There’s space for six at the Pier House, plenty for you all to spend the evening out on the decking that overlooks Huon Island and Hartz Mountain National Park with some mulled cider.

Address: 50 Lighthouse Rd, South Bruny

14. 43 degrees

the cabin interior at 43 degrees, Bruny Island
Each cabin boasts a rustic but spacious interior.

The adults-only 43 degrees is a boutique , environmentally friendly offering, marked by its unmistakable domed cabins fronted by floor-to-ceiling windows. The apartments at this Adventure Bay Beach accommodation are powered by grid-connected solar and have a 6+ star energy rating, and both the larger spa suite apartments and studio spa apartments are lined with timber to create a cosy feel. Both have private decks, spa baths and kitchenettes. Breakfast is complimentary and the beach is right across the road.

Address: 1 Lumeah Road, Adventure Bay

15. Inala Nature Reserve cottages

The Inala Nature Reserve has two cottages on its 1500-acre property (plus one off-site at Micky’s Bay), where you’ll be surrounded by some of Tasmania’s most incredible birdlife. As a guest, you’ll be free to wander the property and look for birds like the endangered forty-spotted pardalote from a dedicated viewing platform, enter the raptor hide, where you might see a bird of prey feasting on roadkill, browse the small nature museum, and wander the Jurassic Garden, which is home to many rare and endemic plants.

Address: 320 Cloudy Bay Road, Lunawanna

Bruny Island Hotels

Hotels are limited on Bruny Island, but there is a hotel option for those who want to make their trip across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel extra easy-breezy.

16. Bruny Island Escapes and Hotel Bruny

the exterior of a bungalow at Bruny Island Escapes and Hotel Bruny
The bungalow stay is set against a stunning natural landscape.

Attached to the popular pub Hotel Bruny, Bruny Island Escapes and Hotel Bruny in Alonnah  doesn’t just stop at a mean plate of seafood chowder. They also have 27 rooms on offer, with various configurations (including studios, a three-bedroom bungalow and lodge rooms with a kitchenette and private deck), and some rooms have beautiful sea views.

Address: 3959 Bruny Island Main Rd, Alonnah

This article was originally written by Kate Bettes with updates by Emily Mcauliffe.

Discover the best things to do on Bruny Island.

Kate Bettes
Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.
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5 of the best day trips from Hobart

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart.
Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island.
Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington
Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area.
Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart.
Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart.
Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .