Bruny Island and the Huon Valley
Two days south of Hobart: the ferry to Bruny Island, its Neck lookout and southern lighthouse, then the Huon Valley's orchards, treetop walk and thermal caves.
- Distance
- 232 km (144 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 31 min
- Suggested days
- 2
- Stops
- 8
- States
- Tasmania
- Updated
- April 25, 2026
At a glance: 2-day road trip of about 232 km (144 mi) with 8 stops, from Hobart to Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs. About 2 h 31 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Tasmania · More road trips from Hobart
Route description
Day one, morning: leave Hobart on the Channel Highway to Kettering, about 35 km and 40 minutes, and take the car ferry to Bruny Island, a crossing of about 20 minutes. Queues build on weekends and in school holidays, so arrive early. From the terminal it is about 25 km to The Neck, where steps climb to the lookout.
Day one, afternoon: continue south through South Bruny to Cape Bruny Lighthouse, roughly 50 km from The Neck, and walk up from the museum for the views over the Southern Ocean. Allow generous time, as island roads are slow and the weather is changeable. Check the last ferry back, and plan to sleep on the island or return to Kettering.
Day two: from Kettering take the Huon Highway to Huonville, about 35 km, and on to Franklin for the Wooden Boat Centre and the riverside. Tahune AirWalk is another 55 km through Geeveston. Hastings Caves lie about 100 km south of Hobart; the tour is the only way in.
Practical notes: the Huon Valley is Tasmania's apple country, and roadside stalls sell fruit in autumn. Fuel up in Huonville or Geeveston, as there are few stations south of them. Bruny Island has little fuel and few shops, so bring supplies. Mornings and evenings can be cold even in summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Hobart
Tasmania - 237 km
Kettering
Tasmania - 319 km
The Neck and Truganini Lookout
ViewsKettering, TasmaniaA narrow sandy isthmus joins North and South Bruny, and a wooden stairway climbs to a lookout with views over both coasts. Little penguins and shearwaters nest in the dunes in summer, so stay on the paths.
- 435 km
Cape Bruny Lighthouse
HistoryKettering, TasmaniaA convict-built lighthouse of 1836 on Bruny Island's southern tip, one of the oldest in Australia, high above the Southern Ocean. Walk up from the museum for the views; wind and weather change fast.
- 562 km
Huonville
Tasmania - 68 km
Franklin and the Wooden Boat Centre
HistoryHuonville, TasmaniaFranklin is a small Huon River town with a boat-building tradition. At the Wooden Boat Centre you can watch traditional boats take shape from Tasmanian timbers, including Huon pine, then stroll the riverside.
- 729 km
Tahune AirWalk
NatureHuonville, TasmaniaA steel walkway and cantilever platforms through the treetops of a tall-forest valley where the Huon and Picton rivers meet. Roughly 1.5 hours' drive from Hobart; the Huon pine and giant eucalypts are the draw.
- 842 km
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
NatureHuonville, TasmaniaGuided tours of Newdegate Cave, a large dolomite cave with fine formations, plus a warm spring-fed pool at about 28 degrees Celsius in the forest beside the visitor centre. Cave access is by tour only.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
2 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Hobart → Cape Bruny Lighthouse · 91 km · 0 h 59 minOn the way: Kettering, The Neck and Truganini Lookout.
- Day 2: Cape Bruny Lighthouse → Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs · 141 km · 1 h 32 minOn the way: Huonville, Franklin and the Wooden Boat Centre, Tahune AirWalk.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually November–March. Still fine, with some compromises, in April–May and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Bruny Island and the Huon Valley?
2-day road trip of about 232 km (144 mi) with 8 stops, from Hobart to Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs. About 2 h 31 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Bruny Island and the Huon Valley?
We suggest 2 days: about 2 h 31 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Bruny Island and the Huon Valley start and end?
It starts in Hobart and ends in Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.
Which states does Bruny Island and the Huon Valley pass through?
Tasmania.
When is the best time for Bruny Island and the Huon Valley?
The most pleasant months are usually November–March. Still fine, with some compromises, in April–May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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