Day trip by car to Bruny Island from Hobart. Doable?
 

I was planning to do a day trip from Hobart to Bruny Island by car. Likely date February 11, 2010. It looks doable, the distance does not appear to be a significant factor, I will have to take the ferry. I will be in Tasmania for 12 days and will be in the Hobart area for 4 days. I normally prefer to stay at a central location such as Hobart and take day trips to destinations of interest and then move on to the next destination. Bruny Island is one day trip I planned. Would apreciate comments on a trip to Bruny Island. Is it worth while? What are the bushwalks like? Anything else of interest there?

Thanks for comments and suggestions,

Z from Winnipeg

We loved Bruny Island, although only able to make a day trip, although we were staying in Ranalagh in the Huon Valley. You will take the ferry because it's the only way to get there - the schedule is online - and not always convenient. Our purpose was to go on the cruise to the Priory Islands with Bruny Island Charters from Adventure Bay and although it was fall, we loved it and all the wildlife we saw. We stopped at the small Bligh Museum as well, interesting since we were moving on to Norfolk Island later in our trip. There is lots to do on Bruny - but there's lots to do in the Huon, period. I'll be there for three days in early June and hope to cover a lot more ground.

Do check your rental car conditions for Bruny Island, Avis in Hobart would not let us take the car there a couple of years ago.

I will make sure not to rent from Avis

Z

40 Spotted Pardalote is what took me to Bruny but I did not find them there. Still really enjoyed the island. As it fits with the way you like to travel do the day trip, you wont regret it.

ZfromWinnipeg,

you might like to consider the Eco-cruise which can be done from either Hobart (bus to Adventure Bay) or directly from Adventure Bay.

We did this excellent trip in February and saw magnificent coastal scenery that included soaring dolomite cliffs, sea caves and wildlife such as many dolphin, white-faced cormorants, albatross and seals. More info at http://www.brunycharters.com.au/

After the cruise we walked to Grass Point and saw a white wallaby and got very close to an echidna. Bruny has great bushwalking and birdwatching. A drive up any of the side roads from Adventure Bay after about 4 pm will deliver white wallaby sightings together with Bennetts and Rufus wallabies.

I heartily recommend lunch at the Bruny Island Cheese Factory, and especially their delicious ice-cream.

I hope you make it to Bruny, its a spectacular island,


Pol

Thank you for your comments, Bruny Island is on our schedule.

Z

I think there may be a problem with rental cars, generally. Most of the roads are unpaved.

We couldn't take our rental car (from Hertz, I think - booked through a consolidator) in October last year. I'm not sure what the other tour options are - perhaps Liz will chime in.