Top tips for catching the Bruny Island Ferry

By Kate Bettes
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Lost your keys to your private plane? Chauffeured speed boat broken down? Don’t panic. There’s a far easier way to get to Bruny Island.

Planning a weekend getaway to Lunawanna-Alonnah AKA Bruny Island? While it’s exciting to plan where you’re going to eat, explore and rest your weary head, you’ll first need to work out how you are getting to this veritable Tasmanian wilderness of soaring sea cliffs and coastal heathlands.

Luckily, the handy SeaLink ferry takes no time at all to get to Bruny Island from the Tassie mainland. From where to buy the ticket to how much it will cost you, we’ve lined up exactly what you need to know.

two SeaLink ferries heading to Bruny Island

SeaLink ferries en route to Bruny Island.

How to get to Bruny Island?

The easiest way to get to Bruny Island is via the SeaLink ferry. This departs from Kettering, a town thirty minutes south of Hobart. If you are not driving, you can get here by local bus, but you must arrive at least 20 minutes before departure for Roberts Point. In addition, you will pretty much need a car to explore the island, so this isn’t really recommended unless you are meeting a tour group at the ferry. In any case, check in with the company as they will most likely be organising this part of the journey for you.

Kettering Ferry Terminal

Catch the early morning ferry at Kettering Terminal. (Image: Adam Gibson)

How often do ferries to Bruny Island run?

It departs over 20 times a day in summer and runs 365 days a year. Christmas Day timetables apply.

How long does the Bruny Island ferry take?

Once you and your vehicle have been directed onto the ferry by an attendant, the trip to Bruny Island takes approximately 20 minutes, so it is easy to plan a day trip to Bruny Island if you’re short on time.

a ferry crossing the waters of Bruny Island

Embark on a new adventure across the calm waters of Bruny Island. (Image: Jess Bonde)

How much is a ferry ticket to Bruny Island?

While passengers themselves travel free to the island, you will have to pay per vehicle. For example, a vehicle that is less than six metres will cost $53.20 on a regular open return ticket, while the passengers go free. You’ll also need to pay if you’re travelling by bicycle or motorbike, but that’s much cheaper. There are also Pension and Concession Fares available. Check out the whole price list here.

a SeaLink ferry navigating the calm waters of Bruny Island

Hop on the SeaLink ferry.

Where can I buy a ticket?

Pre-purchase your ticket online or pay at the ticket booth when you arrive.

Can I bring a hire car on the ferry?

Not all rental car companies will allow you to take the vehicle onto the ferry. However, there are some exceptions. Check the terms and conditions of your insurance contract before you finalise if you are coming to Bruny, and speak to the car company if unsure.

Do I need a vehicle to travel on the ferry?

No, you do not need a vehicle to travel by ferry. But as the island itself is difficult to fully enjoy and navigate without one, you won’t want to be on foot.

How many cars are allowed on the Bruny Island ferry? Could I miss out?

The ferry runs on a first-come-first-served basis. So if you miss out on that particular one, you will simply have to wait for the next one. But as they come reasonably often (check out their timetable here), this is not too much of a hardship if you’re willing to go with the flow.

Is there food on the Bruny Island ferry?

It’s a short trip so there is no food on the ferry. There are however public restrooms, both onboard and at both ferry terminals. Once you arrive at Roberts Point, there is a small cafe where you can grab your morning coffee and nibbles. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and foodie experiences to try, so best to arrive hungry.

aerial shot of a ferry across the waters of Bruny Island

Bruny Island ferry operates daily. (Image: Jess Bonde)

Book here: sealinkbrunyisland.com.au

Want to stretch your legs upon arrival? These 8 top walking trails are just waiting for you to get there.

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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This brutalist off-grid tunnel is Bruny Island’s most exclusive stay

    By Kassia Byrnes
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    Tasmania’s stunning Bruny Island is getting a new luxury offering from a Danish design brand. 

    Whether you’re going for a day trip, or planning to stay a little longer, there are plenty of reasons to visit Bruny Island. Now, the sustainably designed Vipp Tunnel guesthouse offers one more. 

    Danish design brand, Vipp, has worked with Hobart-based studio, Room1, to bring its particular style to the southern hemisphere for the first time. 

    View of Vipp Tunnel from the outside looking through the kitchen to the lounge and out to the ocean

    The luxe new property on Bruny Island is the brainchild of Danish design brand, Vipp, and Hobart-based studio, Room1. (Image: Supplied)

    Three years in the making, the cantilevered Vipp Tunnel makes a striking vision over a sloping hill. Room 11 set out to build a sculptural, brutalist structure dropped into the bushlands, designed to feel like it’s balancing on the edge between solid ground and open air.  

    “On Bruny Island, we have created understandable forms that do not mimic context, rather they create an intelligible form from which we can comprehend the nature of place,” explained Thomas Bailey, Architect AIA, Director Room11. 

    The guesthouse

    The concrete off-grid tunnel sits on Bruny Island in the bush

    The concrete guesthouse has been cleverly designed to bring the outside views in through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. (Image: Supplied)

    The result is a 160-square-metre tunnel stretching 30 metres, with wall-to-wall glass and recessed steel doors to allow unobstructed views out to the Tasmanian sea and mountains. Inside, the master bed and bath are separated by an atrium yard, to further create the sense of being on the edge of the world. Central skylights have had chromatic glazing added to mimic the colours of the Aurora Australis across the guesthouse interior. 

    The sunken lounge area with views of the ocean

    Stay in complete seclusion. (Image: Supplied)

    A separate 35-square-metre concrete cube, dubbed The Studio, contains a desk and hidden mezzanine double bed. While outside, a series of sculptures by renowned Danish artist Lin Utzon complete the artistic stay. 

    Vipp supplied the guesthouse with its interiors and furnishings. Including an all-aluminium V3 kitchen, swivel chairs upholstered in Australian sheep skin and a bespoke sunken lounge.  

    Vipp interior products and furnishings feature throughout the property, like the swivel chair pictured here. (Supplied)

    “Our portfolio of guesthouses is about elevating the product experience and creating a doorway into our design universe. By working with different architectural typologies and vernacular we can craft distinct design experiences,” said Kasper Egelund, CEO and third-generation Vipp owner.  

    Sustainability

    The dining area of Vipp Tunnel on Bruny Island

    The concrete panel design of the off-grid property provides thermal insulation. (Image: Supplied)

    Another fascinating aspect of Vipp Tunnel is how entirely off-grid it is. 

    “The entire western façade is derived from the geometry of the solar array. An unequivocal statement of prioritising green energy production in contemporary construction. As far as we are aware, this is the first building to feature an entire façade created by solar technology, making the most of the location’s latitude,” said Bailey.  

    A wallaby on Bruny Island

    Sustainable design has been woven into every facet of the property.

    Before building, every tree on site was surveyed to avoid damage. The concrete panel design provides thermal insulation to keep the inside temperature regulated, year-round. The property runs only on run-off rainwater and self-sufficient energy.  

    The details

    A man stand-up paddleboards by Vipp Tunnel on Bruny Island

    Immerse yourself in the beauty of Bruny Island. (Image: Supplied)

    Get to Bruny Island with a 20-minute ferry ride from Hobart, then drive 10 minutes to Vipp Tunnel. Prices start from $970 per night, based on two adult guests.