Best Bruny Island Tours From Hobart – Top picks by a local!
Got a spare day in your Tassie itinerary? I recommend experiencing one of the many incredible Bruny Island tours from Hobart.
Pristine coasts, gourmet food and wine, quirky wildlife – a Bruny Island day tour is the best ‘no stress’ way to see the island and in this guide I compare all the options!
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It’s easy to spend a day or two exploring most of Hobart’s biggest sights… but what next?
Speaking from personal experience and my deep love of the great outdoors – while also enjoying tastings of Tassie’s best wines and spirits – a Hobart day tour 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.
Bruny 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 Bruny Island boat tour? You’re totally covered with one of the best, most exciting experiences you’ll find anywhere in Australia, including one very luxurious seafood+cruise tour that you have to see to believe 🦞
Keep reading to learn more about all the Bruny Island tour options.
Compare Bruny Island tours from Hobart
The table below provides 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 | $240 | |
| Pennicott Wilderness Journies | Bruny Island Cruise | Cruise | The most affordable boat cruise tour | $245 | |
| Pennicott Wilderness Journies | Seafood Seduction | Cruise & Food | Luxe boat cruise and foodie experience | $700 | |
| Pennicott Wilderness Journies | Bruny Island Traveller | Food | The best tour for foodies | $235 | |
| Tassie Tours | Bruny Island Tour | Attractions & Food | The best tour for younger travellers | $149 | |
| 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 'Food, Sightseeing & Lighthouse' Tour
Perfect for: Couples and families wanting to make the most of their time on the island and seeking the perfect balance of attractions, food and nature.
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 $240
Suitable for children: Yes (except the Lighthouse tour, where for safety reasons children under 5 years must stay on the ground)
When: Daily
🌿🧀 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 Boat Tours
Perfect for: Exploring the spectacular coastline and tasting the freshest produce straight from the sea.
Option #1 - Pennicott's Bruny Island Cruises
If you have heard about the magnificent coastal scenery and marine wildlife of Bruny Island and want to experience it for yourself – then this tour by Bruny Island Cruises is the one for you.
This multi award-winning 3hr boat cruise starts in the crystal clear waters of 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 – normally around $155pp).
Cost: From $245 for adults, and $175 for children (3-16 yrs)
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
Option #2 - Pennicott's Seafood Seduction Cruise
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 $700 per person
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
Bruny Island Traveller Tour
Perfect for: Foodies wanting to experience the best gourmet treats that Bruny Island has to offer.
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 $235 per adult and $200 for children (4-17 yrs)
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
Tassie Tours - Bruny Island Day Tour
Perfect for: Younger travellers on a budget, and the young at heart trying to keep their costs down.
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 (entry ticket will cost you extra), and albino wallaby spotting. A swim in a lagoon is also an option on warm days!
What I really like about this Bruny Island Day Tour 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 focus 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 $149 per person
Suitable for children: Yes
When: Daily
Shutterbug Walkabouts
Perfect 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
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 I’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 Country House – Stay 3 Nights & Pay for 2 – Mention the Lap of Tasmania over the phone to claim!
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.