By Jessica Palmer,
March 5, 2024
Located off the southeast coast of Tasmania, Bruny Island is 362 square kilometres of camping paradise. Renowned for its rugged landscapes, abundant wildlife and pristine beaches, Bruny Island is definitely one to add to your caravan and camping bucket list.
Once you arrive, you’ll find two main land masses, North Bruny and South Bruny, connected by a narrow isthmus known as “The Neck”. At “The Neck”, you’ll find panoramic views of the coastline, which is rugged and indented with numerous inlets and bays that surround the entire island.
What we love about camping on Bruny Island
Not only is the landscape ruggedly beautiful, but camping on Bruny Island means spotting a range of wildlife, including most of the ‘cute’ ones, like wallabies, pademelons and echidnas. The sea and sky don’t disappoint either, with little penguins, seals, dolphins and migratory whales (during the winter months) in the ocean and species such as the white-bellied sea eagle and swift parrot in the sky.
Those who travel by RV tend to appreciate the outdoors, us included. On a camping trip to Bruny Island, you’ll find plenty of outdoor activities, from hiking to surfing, fishing and kayaking. Despite being an outdoors paradise, Bruny Island can also be quite sophisticated with culinary delights such as locally produced wines and spirits, artisanal cheeses and fresh oysters, as well as cultural attractions such as the historical Cape Bruny Lighthouse and the Bruny Island Quarantine Station.
So now that you know how amazing it is, let’s talk about where you can go camping on Bruny Island.
Top 5 camping spots on Bruny Island
#1. Camping at Bruny Island
What
Camping at Bruny Island is a private campsite set on 50 acres of idyllic forest and boasting 750m of secluded beach. It’s the perfect base for exploring all that Bruny Island has to offer, but there’s also plenty of outdoor action to be had on-site. Enjoy fishing, walking and even two exceptional surf breaks right at your doorstep.
Whether you prefer the snugness of a motorhome or the convenience of a camper trailer, each site boasts ample room to spread out.
Where
Camping at Bruny Island is located in a sheltered corner of Cloudy Bay on South Bruny. The island’s main attractions are just a short drive away, but it’s hard to beat this spot’s location for a relaxing nature getaway.
Facilities
- Flushing toilets.
- Camp showers.
- Communal shelters with BBQs.
- Firepit.
Cost
- $70 per night per site.
How to book
Prior bookings are essential. Call Camping at Bruny Island on (03) 6293 1477 or email info@campingatbrunyisland.com
#2. Cloudy Corner Campground
What
Cloudy Corner is a 4WD-only camping site located in the South Bruny National Park on Bruny Island. It requires a three-kilometre drive along the beach at low tide, and you can even launch your boat from the beach here. Sites provide easy access to swimming, water recreation, beautiful coastal walks, fishing and beach exploration.
Where
South Bruny National Park.
Facilities
- Pit toilets.
Cost
- 1-2 campers: $10 per night.
- Each additional adult 18+: $5 per night.
- Each additional child 5 – 17 years: $2.50 per night.
- Under 5 years: free.
- Family 2 adults + 3 children: $15 per night.
How to book
No bookings are taken and camping sites are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis for this Bruny Island campground. A self-registration deposit box can be found at the campsite so it’s cash only, but a pay display kiosk can be found at Jetty Beach for card payments.
#3. The Neck Campground
What
Outside of the South Bruny National Park boundaries, you’ll find The Neck Campsite in the Neck Reserve. It’s a sheltered camping site behind the sand dunes at the south of Bruny Island’s isthmus and features easy access to the beach.
The Neck is an important habitat for Bruny Island’s native wildlife, so it’s an amazing camping spot for nature lovers, particularly if you want to spot fairy penguins. At dusk, these cute little birds return to their burrows in the sand dunes. The best time to spot them is during the warmer months of September to February.
Where
South Bruny Island – The Neck.
Facilities
- Pit toilets.
Cost
- 1-2 campers: $10 per night.
- Each additional adult 18+: $5 per night.
- Each additional child 5 – 17 years: $2.50 per night.
- Under 5 years: free.
- Family 2 adults + 3 children: $15 per night.
How to book
No bookings are taken for this Bruny Island campground and camping sites are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. A self-registration deposit box can be found at the campsite, so it’s cash only.
#4. Captain Cook Caravan Park
What
For those of you who prefer a caravan park with all the facilities, Captain Cook Holiday Park is a top spot to base yourself camping while you explore Bruny Island. Located directly opposite a white sand beach, it isn’t uncommon to see pods of dolphins and migrating whales in the Bay.
Where
Adventure Bay, Southern Bruny Island.
Facilities
- Toilets.
- Coin-operated hot showers.
- Coin-operated laundry.
- Playground.
- Camp kitchen.
- Kayak and pedal car hire.
- BBQ areas.
Cost
- From $30 per night for an unpowered site.
- From $45 per night for a powered site.
How to book
Book online – www.captaincookpark.com/book-online/
#5. Quoll Hideaway
What
For the HipCamp fans out there, head to Quoll Hideaway in the northwest. Set around 100m from the beach in the Australian bush with filtered water views of D’Entrecasteaux Channel, when you book this Bruny Island camping site, you’ll have it all to yourself. The property is gently sloping so you’ll need to use levelling ramps and chocks, however, there are some for you to use onsite if required.
The highlight here is not just the private location, it’s the family of quolls that arrive at dusk to say hello. It’s not uncommon to see potoroo here too.
Where
The west of North Bruny Island, not too far from the ferry terminal.
Facilities
- Sheltered area .
- Firepit.
Cost
- Starting from $65 per night.
How to book
Book online at HipCamp.
Important Information about visiting and camping on Bruny Island
Parks Pass
A valid Parks Pass is required for entry to Tasmania’s national parks.
How to get to Bruny Island
Bruny Island lies just off the southeast coast of Tasmania and is reached by a short vehicle and passenger ferry from Kettering. Kettering is around 40 minutes from Hobart via Kingston on A6 and then B68.
The ferry is managed by Sealink and runs regularly throughout the day. You can pay at the ticket booth upon arrival or pre-purchase your ticket on the website. A standard vehicle and caravan is around $113 return, but it could be more or less, depending on the size of your set-up.
Things to do on a Bruny Island camping trip
- Visit The Neck, an isthmus of land with great views connecting north and south Bruny Island.
- Hike up to Cape Bruny Lighthouse, the second-oldest and longest continually staffed lighthouse in Australia.
- Indulge in local flavours. Don’t miss Bruny Island Cheese Co., Get Shucked Oysters, Bruny Island Honey, Bruny Island Whisky, Bruny Island Premium Wine, Bruny Island Berry Farm or the Bruny Island Chocolate Company.
- Go wildlife spotting.
- Hike the tracks.
- Spend a day at Cloudy Bay in the South Bruny National Park.
Where to next?
