Safaris Lighthouse And Lunch Day

Ten hours with Bruny Island Safaris gets you producer tastings, island sightseeing and exclusive entry inside Cape Bruny Lighthouse. It stands at 4.8 across 1003 reviews, priced from A$280 per person with free cancellation.

Overview

Most Bruny Island day trips from Hobart cover the food trail and leave it there. This one adds something no other operator can: a guided walk inside Cape Bruny Lighthouse, built in 1836 and still holding its original 1903 lens. Access is exclusive to Bruny Island Safaris, and the connection runs deeper than a permit, since the owner's father was the lighthouse keeper and the tour grew out of those childhood visits.

The day runs for about 10 hours. A 7am departure from Hobart, in an air-conditioned bus with a local guide, leads to the Island Connections ferry and across to the island. Morning tea happens on the sand at Two Tree Point: freshly shucked Get Shucked oysters, three Bruny Island cheeses, bread, tea and coffee, prepared by the guide rather than served in a cafe. From there the route takes in Adventure Bay in search of the white Bennett's wallaby, the Mount Mangana rainforest if weather allows, and South Bruny National Park before the lighthouse climb of 72 steps.

Lunch is one course at Hotel Bruny overlooking Sunset Beach, with gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options. A private chocolate and fudge tasting and a honey tasting follow, and the day finishes at The Neck, where you choose between the stairs to Truganini Lookout, a mid-level view or a flat boardwalk. With a maximum of 20 guests, it suits travellers who want produce, wildlife and scenery covered in a single, fairly packed day. Families should note children under 5 cannot climb the lighthouse stairs and can visit the museum and the base instead. Anyone who prefers slow, unhurried stops may find the schedule brisk.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup, HobartChoose from over 20 pickup points across Hobart and surrounds; the exact time is confirmed after booking and may be earlier than 7am.
2. Bus and ferry to BrunyRoughly an hour by air-conditioned coach to the ferry terminal, then the Island Connections crossing to the island. Return ferry fares are covered.
3. Two Tree Point morning teaA beachside stop tied to the island's early explorers, with freshly shucked oysters, three cheeses, bread, tea and coffee.
4. Adventure Bay and Mount ManganaGuides use well-known spots to search for the white Bennett's wallaby in the wild; sightings are never certain. The rainforest drive runs weather permitting.
5. South Bruny National ParkA 45-minute guided visit, with the Parks Pass included in the tour.
6. Cape Bruny LighthouseAn exclusive guided climb of 72 steps to the balcony, plus entry to the lighthouse museum.
7. Lunch and tastingsOne-course lunch at Hotel Bruny overlooking Sunset Beach, then a private chocolate and fudge tasting and honey tastings with a shop visit.
8. The Neck and returnViewing options at the isthmus: stairs to the lookout, a mid-level platform or a flat boardwalk. Ferry back, then hotel drop-off around 5 to 5:30pm.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day actually feels, from the early start to what to pack.

• Dress in layers. Bruny Island runs cooler than Hobart, so the listing recommends warm layers, a rain jacket and closed-toe walking shoes. A sun hat and camera are also on the bring list, along with a reusable bottle you can refill on the bus.
• Early start, long day. Departure is 7am from Hobart, and pickups outside the main meeting point can be earlier still. Return lands around 5 to 5:30pm, so plan nothing urgent for that evening.
• Climbs at your pace. The lighthouse has 72 steps with a handrail, and The Neck offers a stair route, a mid-level lookout or a flat boardwalk. One reviewer specifically appreciated being able to skip either climb depending on fitness.
• Plenty of food. Morning tea, lunch and two tastings are all included, and reviewers said the samplings kept them from going hungry through the day. Drinks at meals are not included, though water on the bus is free. Dietary needs should be flagged at booking.
• Guides who know the island. Reviewer after reviewer praised the guides' knowledge of the island, its flora, fauna and history, along with the stories and jokes that kept the day fun. Reviews repeatedly name the guide as the reason the day worked.
• Twenty guests max. The group caps at 20 guests. Only a small day bag or backpack fits on the bus; suitcases and large bags are not allowed.

Common issues. Some travellers mention the pace feels rushed and would like more time at scenic stops, according to the listing's review summary. Wallaby sightings cannot be promised because the animals are wild. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, children under 5 cannot climb the lighthouse stairs, and bad weather can rule out the rainforest drive. Beverages at meals cost extra. One reviewer noted the lighthouse keeper's accent was hard to follow on the climb, so ask the guide to fill in the history afterwards if needed.

Before You Book A Tour