South Bruny National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

Created in 1997, this beautiful national park takes in the massive dolerite sea cliffs around Bruny’s southern capes, with the highest peak (504-metre Mount Bruny) also the island’s most southerly point. From here an uninterrupted wall of rock sweeps northward to Fluted Cape, with treacherous cliffs, spires and columns rising dramatically from the sea. In the middle of the park, cliffs give way to Cloudy Bay’s arc of dunes, pushed onshore by relentless southerly swells, and peaceful Cloudy Bay Lagoon. In the west is Labillardiere Peninsula, next to the sheltered waters of Great Taylors Bay. Forests of black peppermint, brown-top stringybark and white gum are common and, where heaths dominate, there are orange–red spires of Christmas bells. Bennett’s wallabies, Tasmanian pademelons, brushtail possums and echidnas roam the forests, and the oceans are home to fur-seals and whales, with occasional visits from leopard seals. All Tasmania’s endemic bird species are here, and seabirds nest on offshore islands.Activities include swimming, boating, fishing, bushwalking, surfing (Cloudy Bay is popular) and birdwatching. A path from Adventure Bay takes you through eucalypt forest to Grass Point (30 minutes return), and connects to the Fluted Cape walk (2½ hours return), which has commanding views over Tasman Peninsula. Labillardiere Circuit (7 hours) starts from Jetty Beach and rounds the peninsula via the shorter Luggaboine loop (2 hours). From October to April there are cruises offering close encounters with marine wildlife and the most amazing views of the cliffs. At Cape Bruny, a 400-metre path climbs to the convict-built lighthouse (1838).

Fact file

Camping

Pines or eastern end of beach (Cloudy Bay); Jetty Beach (Labillardiere Peninsula); southern end of the Neck

Location and access

70 km south of Hobart via A6 and B68 to Kettering ferry terminal; vehicle ferry to Roberts Point (15 minutes) then Adventure Bay or Cloudy Bay

Park Information

• PWS 1300 135 513
• South Bruny NP (03) 6293 1419
• Bruny Island Cruises (03) 6239 1465

Size

5150 ha

Where to Stay

Bruny Island (03) 6267 4494


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• Campsites

Campsites

Bruny Island Neck camping area

The Neck is a narrow sandy isthmus joining north and south Bruny, with a great lookout, a penguin colony and a surf beach. The camping area is among trees behind the dunes at the more sheltered southern end of the beach.... Find out more

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Cloudy Corner camping area

At the far end of Cloudy Bay, this isolated campsite is accessible only to 4WD vehicles and involves driving 3 km along the beach at low tide. Camping is a short walk from the beach and there is water in a creek but it... Find out more

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Jetty Beach camping area

Behind the gentle curve of Jetty Beach, this camping ground among the trees is very popular and deservedly so. Sheltered from the south-west, it faces a sandy cove with clear water, safe swimming, great snorkelling and... Find out more

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The Pines camping area

This sheltered camping area is a popular spot for surfers attracted to Cloudy Bay’s beach and point breaks, but it is very small so campers have to take their chances finding a site. While the surfing is the main... Find out more

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