Bruny Island or Port Arthur?

Should I visit Bruny Island or Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula?

Both Bruny Island and Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula are popular getaways from Hobart. A lot of people are torn between these two destinations.

I had the same dilemma when planning my trip to Tasmania. It was such a difficult choice that I ended up visiting both. 

To help you choose, I have listed a detailed comparison of these two destinations. Hope you can find it helpful.

Getting There

Bruny Island

To get to Bruny Island from Hobart, you need to drive around 45 minutes to Kettering Ferry Terminal first. From this terminal, Bruny Island will be 15-20 minutes away by ferry.

This ferry departs regularly from both terminals, with the last ferry departing at around 7 pm, when we visited.

Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula

The drive from Hobart to Port Arthur Historic Site takes around 90 minutes. The drive itself is scenic, as you drive past endless picturesque farmland and country houses.

Attractions / Things to do in Bruny Island and Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula

Bruny Island

Bruny Island is a foodie’s paradise. You can find freshly harvested Great Bay oysters from Get Shucked; artisan cheese with pairing beer from Bruny Island Cheese Company; fresh berries from Bruny Island Raspberry Farm; and beautifully crafted honey and ice cream from Bruny Island Honey. There are also wineries and distilleries available for wine and whisky tastings on Bruny Island.

There is a range of attractions to visit on Bruny Island. Here, you can visit attractions, such as The Neck Lookout, Adventure Bay, Cloudy Bay, and Cape Bruny Lighthouse, to admire the beautiful landscape on Bruny Island. You can also watch fairy penguins out and about near The Neck at night. In addition, there is a range of walking tracks on offer on Bruny Island to suit everyone’s needs.

Cruises/sails are available to view Bruny Island from a different perspective. You can find more information from Bruny Island Cruises and SailTas Sailing Cruises. Alternatively, you can also join Island Scenic Flights for a bird’s eye view of Bruny Island.

Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula

Similar to Bruny Island, Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula also offers an impressive landscape, with beautiful attractions and walking trails to visit. Abundant wildlife, such as wallabies, wombats, seals, and penguins can also be spotted on this peninsula. To view this peninsula from a different perspective, you can join a cruise or scenic flight as well.

Different to Bruny Island, Port Arthur has a rich and unique history. The Port Arthur Historic Site was built in the 1800s as a convict settlement. It is currently part of the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Convict Sites. A trip to the Port Arthur Historic Site can provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the Australian and Tasmanian settlement history.

Time to Spend in Bruny Island vs Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula

You can visit either Bruny Island or Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula as a day trip from Hobart. However, an overnight stay is much suggested to truly experience these two destinations. I found it especially true in the case of Bruny Island. 

Since Bruny Island is only accessible by ferry, there is always a deadline to catch the last ferry back to Kettering. There are also many attractions to visit on Bruny Island, which will make a day trip jam-packed. I do not prefer to rush through destinations, and the thought of potentially missing the last ferry also puts me at unease.

Accommodations in Bruny Island vs Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula

In general, I found more accommodations to choose from in Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula than on Bruny Island. The price for accommodations is also cheaper in Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula than on Bruny Island.

• Check out accommodations in Bruny Island on Booking.com
• Check out accommodations in Port Arthur on Booking.com

The Cost of Visiting Bruny Island vs Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula

Bruny Island

Ferry: A standard return fare for vehicles under 6 meters was AUD$38 when we visited. It is the same price, despite the number of passengers. You can purchase this ticket either online or from the ticket booth on arrival.

Food (depends on individual preference and choice): We did spend more on food in Bruny Island, in comparison to Port Arthur. This is mainly because Bruny Island had a lot more local produce on offer. We loved all of them and totally could not resist buying more.

Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour (optional): The visit to Cape Bruny Lighthouse is free, but to get inside the lighthouse requires a ticket. The ticket was AUD$15 at the time of our visit, which includes a guided lighthouse tour. The tour itself and the panoramic view from the lighthouse were both top-notch.

Cruise & Tours (optional & price at the time of writing): A 3 hours return cruise from Adventure Bay costs AUD$145/adult from Bruny Island Cruise. There are also guided full-day tours from Hobart to Bruny Island from AUD$125/adult on Viator.

Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula

Food (depends on individual preference and choice): We did not find many places selling unique local produce in Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula, so we did not spend much on food here. Please let me know if you had a better food experience in Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula than we did.

Port Arthur Historic Site (highly recommend): The entry ticket to Port Arthur Historic Site was AUD$45/adult when we visited. It is valid for 2 consecutive days and provides you access to the historic site, the gallery, a guided walking tour, and a 20 minutes harbour cruise.

Cruise & Tours (optional & price at the time of writing): A 3 hours return cruise from Port Arthur costs AUD$145/adult here on Viator. Guided full-day tours from Hobart to Port Arthur are also available on Viator from AUD$155/adult.

Final Verdict: Bruny Island or Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula?

Both Bruny Island and Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula are great travel destinations. They both offer a taste of untouched nature with impressive landscapes.

Bruny Island is a foodie’s paradise, with a secluded feel. In comparison, Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula provides you with a glimpse of Tasmania’s settlement history. 

The choice between these two is difficult. Nonetheless, whichever destination you chose, I believe you will enjoy it.

If time and budget allow, I do suggest visiting both destinations. Although they might sound similar in all the reviews you have read, they are surprisingly different.

• For more detailed information on Bruny Island, feel free to check out this ‘Bruny Island Day Trip and Overnight Trip’.
• For more detailed information on the Tasman Peninsula / Port Arthur, feel free to check out this ‘Port Arthur Day Trip’.

Watch Bruny Island v.s. Port Arthur / Tasman Peninsula on YouTube: