Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

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Drive yourself to Adventure Bay on Bruny Island, or take the bus from Kettering, and join the award-winning 3 hour Wilderness Cruise. See towering sea cliffs, caves and sea stacks, and wildlife such as seals, dolphins and seabirds.

Days

3 hour cruise (about 8 hours with the bus from Kettering)

Group size

Max 120

Start / finish

Adventure Bay, Bruny Island / Adventure Bay

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Custom-built cruise boat; drive yourself and take the vehicle ferry, or the bus and ferry from Kettering

Meals

No food on board; meals can be bought at the beachfront restaurant

Route

Map of Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

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Included experiences

Bruny Island coastline — sea cliffs and sea stacks
Deep sea caves
Wildlife spotting — seals, dolphins and seabirds
Migrating whales, in season

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Bruny Island Wilderness Cruise

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

GETTING TO ADVENTURE BAY

There are two ways to reach the boat. Drive yourself about 45 minutes south of Hobart to Kettering and take the car ferry, a crossing of about 20 minutes over the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, then drive 40 minutes down lunawanna-alonnah (Bruny Island) to the visitor centre. Or leave your car at the Oyster Cove Marina in Kettering and take the bus, which covers the ferry and some sightseeing on the way down the island. Either way you end up at Adventure Bay, named after HMS Adventure, Tobias Furneaux's ship, which anchored here in 1773. Cruises leave in the morning or the early afternoon.

ON THE WATER: THE CLIFFS OF SOUTH BRUNY

After a short briefing you board one of the yellow boats on the beach. The skipper runs south along the coast of South Bruny National Park, where dolerite cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Australia, fall straight into the sea. The boat noses into deep sea caves and squeezes through the gap between the shore and The Monument, a stack that broke away from the cliff. At the Breathing Rock the swell is forced into hidden chambers and blows back out with a sound like a giant exhaling.

THE FRIARS AND THE SOUTHERN OCEAN

The turning point is The Friars, four steep rocks where the island meets the Southern Ocean. Fur seals haul out here in big numbers, almost all of them males, and you'll smell them before you hear them. On the way the crew watches for dolphins, sea eagles, albatross and shearwaters, and from autumn to spring humpback and southern right whales on their migration. Sightings are never promised, but the seals are almost always at home. Hold on: where the swell rolls in from the south, the ride gets lively.

BACK TO ADVENTURE BAY

After about three hours you're back on the beach at Adventure Bay. Food isn't served on the boats, but the beachfront restaurant beside the visitor centre sells morning tea and lunch. If you came on the bus, it leaves mid-afternoon with more sightseeing on the way back up the island, catches the ferry and has you back at Kettering in the late afternoon. If you drove, the rest of the island is yours: cheese, oysters and berries are all a short drive away.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: The visitor centre at 1005 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay, Bruny Island. Bruny Island is reached by vehicle ferry from Kettering, a 45 minute drive south of Hobart; the crossing takes 15 to 20 minutes, then it's a 40 minute drive south to Adventure Bay. With the bus option, meet at Oyster Cove Marina, Kettering, by 8.30am (free parking).
Departure time: 10am cruise (summer season): catch the 7:30, 7:50 or 8:30 ferry and check in by 9:30. 11am cruise (all year): catch the 7:50, 8:30, 8:50 or 9:10 ferry and check in by 10:30. 1:30pm cruise (summer season): catch the 10:30, 10:50, 11:10 or 11:30 ferry and check in by 1pm. Bus option: be at Kettering by 8.30am for the 11am cruise; back about 4.45pm.

What is included

3 hour guided Wilderness Cruise from Adventure Bay

Not included

Transport to Adventure Bay, including the Bruny Island vehicle ferry from Kettering, unless you choose the bus from Kettering
Food — none is served on board, but meals can be bought at the beachfront restaurant

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

An unforgettable, seamless Bruny Island Cruise with stunning coastal scenery, towering cliffs and great wildlife. Ashley's enthusiasm, knowledge and stories brought it to life and made everyone feel welcome.

Remee Verified· Travelled 2nd August 2026

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