Top tips for catching the Bruny Island Ferry

Kate BettesBy Kate Bettes
hero media
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
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.
See all articles
Guest at Vipp Tunnel on Bruny Island looks out at the view
Bruny Island

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

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

Read more
two hikers on a guided walking tour, Bruny Island
Bruny Island

21 incredible things to do on Bruny Island

It’s got deserted beaches, magical walks and some of Tasmania’s best local produce in spades. If you haven’t seen Bruny Island, consider this epic list of things to do as your sign to get there ASAP.

Read more
cheese and beer at Bruny Island Cheese Co.
Bruny Island

best restaurants and food experiences on Bruny Island’s

Be careful. After reading this list of foodie haunts and restaurants on Bruny Island, you might not have the appetite for any other activity.

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

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

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.

Read more
hero media

5 of the best day trips from Hobart

    Rachel LayBy Rachel Lay
    Continue
    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 .