The Ultimate 7-Day Southern Tasmania & Bruny Island Road Trip
After twelve months on the road and more than a few conversations with fellow nomads at fire pits across the country, I kept hearing the same thing: “Tassie’s south is different.” They weren’t wrong. This isn’t your typical coastal loop. This is where Australia literally runs out of road, where penguins waddle past your campsite at dusk, and where a bread fridge in the middle of nowhere will genuinely change your morning.
We’ve put together this route specifically for those of you towing small caravans—the folks who’d rather wake up to wallabies than wake up to some bloke’s generator two metres from your annex. If you’ve got a small caravan and you’re chasing quiet spots, coastal beauty, and actual wilderness, this one’s for you.
Fair warning: we’re calling this a 7-day itinerary, but you’ll want to allow 8 days of travel. Trust me, you’ll thank us when you’re not rushing past the good bits.
Total Distance: Approximately 415km (plus day trips)
Best Time to Travel: November to April (though Tassie rewards travellers year-round if you’re prepared for changeable weather)
Muay’s Tip: Try to time this to avoid the weekends. Being so close to Hobart, it can get busy. A Sunday would be a perfect day to start this trip.
The Southern Tasmania & Bruny Island Map
To aid in your planning, we have carefully prepared a map of the route. Also on the map are the campground locations, points of interest, starting points for walks, place to eat and drink.
The map has layers you can turn on and off for clarity. Click the icon in the top left to view the layers. You can zoom into areas with a high density of points.
Rob’s Tech Tip: Don’t count on this map loading when you’re halfway round Duncan Road. Open this Google Map and select ‘Download Offline Maps’ for the Southern Tasmania region. Your GPS will still work even when the phone signal disappears.
Bruny Island Ferry Information
Getting to Bruny Island requires a short ferry crossing from Kettering, about 35km south of Hobart. Here’s what you need to know:
Operator: SeaLink Bruny Island Ferry
Crossing Time: Approximately 20 minutes
Bookings: Bookings are not required for standard vehicles or caravans; it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, during peak season (December–January) and long weekends, queues can build up, so arrive with plenty of time to spare.
Cost: Fares are charged per vehicle (including caravan) and vary depending on vehicle length. Check the SeaLink website for current pricing. Passengers are included in the vehicle fare. There are variable fees depending on the departure time. The standard return for a vehicle 10-15m in length is $132.10.
Frequency: Ferries run regularly throughout the day, with departures roughly every 30–60 minutes depending on the season. The first ferry on weekdays is at 6:10 am; on Saturdays, at 6:30 am; and on Sundays, at 7:10 am. The last return crossing is around 7:00 pm.
Tips for Caravanners:
- The ferry comfortably accommodates caravans and trailers—just follow crew instructions when boarding.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before your preferred crossing during peak periods.
- There are toilets and a small waiting area at the Kettering terminal.
- The Roberts Point terminal on Bruny Island has minimal facilities, so ensure you’re stocked up before crossing.
Return Crossing: When leaving Bruny Island, the same conditions apply. Factor ferry wait times into your departure day—missing the last ferry means an unplanned night on the island.
Day 1: Hobart to Franklin or Geeveston
The Gateway to Tasmania’s Deep South
The Run
Hobart → Franklin 45km | 45 minutes via the Huon Highway or Hobart → Geeveston 60km | 1 hour via the Huon Highway
On the Road
Head south from Hobart along the Huon Highway, leaving the city behind as the landscape opens up into orchards, farmland, and glimpses of the Huon River. This is an easy first day with sealed roads throughout—a gentle introduction before the adventure proper begins.
You’ve got a choice today, and it comes down to what you’re after: riverside relaxation or mountain access.
The Stay
Option A: Franklin is a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of town, but that’s part of its charm. The Franklin Camping Ground offers peaceful camping right on the river, with a vibe that rewards those who aren’t in a hurry. Sites are generally flat and suitable for large rigs, though they can fill up during peak season.
Option B: Geeveston: If you’re keen to tackle a proper bushwalk, Geeveston is your gateway to Hartz Mountains National Park. The Geeveston CMCA Park offers camping with more room to move, though less character than Franklin’s riverside setting.
Consider an Extra Night: If the weather’s playing nice and you’ve got the time, add a second night here and tackle the Hartz Peak walk in Hartz Mountains National Park. It’s a challenging but rewarding climb through alpine moorland, with views that’ll make your Instagram followers deeply jealous. Just be prepared—Tassie weather can change very quickly. Note: the access road to Hartz Mountains isn’t caravan-friendly, so you’ll want to unhitch for the day.
The Highlight
The Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin is worth a wander if you appreciate craftsmanship. Watch boat builders at work using traditional techniques, and browse the collection of heritage vessels. The Huon Valley is also apple country—keep an eye out for local cider producers and farm-gate stalls along the way.
If you stay in Geevestone, there are many platypuses in the adjacent river.
Day 2: Franklin/Geeveston to Gillams Beach
The End of the Road
The Run
Franklin → Gillams Beach 71km | 1.25 hours via Huon Highway and Cockle Creek Road, Geeveston → Gillams Beach 58 km | 1 hour
On the Road
Today, you’re heading to where the bitumen gives up, and Australia simply stops. The drive south through the Huon Valley and past Southport is scenic, but save your superlatives for what’s coming. The sealed road ends just south of Lune River. There is about 14km of unsealed road—take your time and enjoy the increasingly wild scenery.
The Stay
Gillams Beach Campground — 1 night
Gillams Beach is a stunner—a sweep of sand backed by coastal bush, with sites that actually feel like you’re camping rather than parking. This is your base for exploring Cockle Creek and the southernmost reaches of Australia.
The campground is well-suited to small caravans, with reasonable access and decent spacing between sites. Facilities are basic (pit toilets), so come prepared to be self-sufficient.
We spent four nights at this spot over the Australia Day long weekend. It is a great place to relax. If you have the time and energy, we recommend a walk to South West Bay to see the most southerly point of Tasmania. Unfortunately, there is no track to get to it.
Expect to be visited by lots of wallabies.
See our detailed information about this campground.
Caravanner’s Reality Check: While it’s tempting to keep driving until you physically run out of road, the sites further south toward Cockle Creek proper get very tight, very fast. If you’re towing a hybrid or a small caravan, Gillams Beach is your sweet spot. It offers the space you need without the “will-I-get-stuck” anxiety. Save the southernmost tracks for a day-trip in the car. Also, a heads-up: once you cross into the National Park, it’s strictly no pets and no fires, so plan your cozy nights accordingly back at Gillams.
The Highlight
The South Cape Bay walk is the one. It’s a solid return hike (around 15 km round trip), but standing at the southernmost point of Australia that you can reach on foot is something else. The track passes through old-growth forest before opening up to wild coastline and views of the Southern Ocean. Bring layers—the wind down here has come a long way.
If you are not into bushwalking, Cockle Creek itself is worth a wander, and the old whaling station ruins add a bit of history to the landscape. Keep an eye out for white wallabies in the area—they’re more common here than almost anywhere else in Australia.
If you have the time, we recommend spending more than one night exploring this area.
Day 3: Gillams Beach to Gordon
The Channel Transition
The Run
Gillams Beach → Gordon 122km | 2 hours via Huon Highway and Channel Highway
On the Road
Time to head back north, but don’t think of it as backtracking—you’re transitioning from rugged wilderness to something gentler. The drive takes you back through the Huon Valley before turning east towards the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. The water here is calmer, the settlements smaller, and the pace slower.
Once past Lune River, all roads are sealed and in good condition. The Channel Highway hugs the coastline in places, offering glimpses of Bruny Island across the water—your destination for tomorrow.
The Stay
Gordon Foreshore Reserve Rest Area — 1 night
Gordon is one of those spots that doesn’t make it onto most tourist itineraries, and that’s precisely why it’s worth your time. The foreshore reserve offers quiet camping with water views and easy access to the Channel’s shoreline.
This is a rest area rather than a formal campground, so facilities are basic—plan accordingly. Sites are generally flat with good access for small rigs. Perfect for a one-night stop before catching the ferry.
The Highlight
The D’Entrecasteaux Channel has a peaceful, almost meditative quality. Use this afternoon to slow down after the adventure of the deep south. Take a coastal walk along the foreshore, try your luck fishing from the shore, or simply sit with a cuppa and watch the water. Birdwatching is excellent here—the Channel is home to a solid variety of waterbirds.
This is also a good time to check tomorrow’s ferry schedule for the crossing to Bruny Island and ensure your rig is ready for the next leg.
Days 4–5: Gordon to Bruny Island (The Neck)
Penguins, Lookouts & Island Time
The Run
Gordon → Kettering Ferry Terminal 18km | 25 minutes → Ferry crossing ~20 minutes → Roberts Point → Neck Beach Campground 27km | 25 minutes
On the Road
Head to Kettering and join the queue for the Bruny Island ferry (see Ferry Information section above). The crossing is short and scenic, depositing you at Roberts Point on the island’s northern end.
Once on Bruny, resist the urge to bolt straight to the southern end. The north has its own character, and The Neck—that narrow isthmus connecting North and South Bruny—is genuinely one of the most striking spots in Tasmania. The roads on Bruny are sealed on the main routes, though some side roads are gravel.
The Stay
Neck Beach Campground — 2 nights
Two nights here gives you time to properly explore without rushing. The campground sits near The Neck itself, putting you in a prime position for wildlife encounters. Sites work well for small caravans, with reasonable access and generally level ground.
Facilities include pit toilets. Bring everything you need—the nearest shops are back at Adventure Bay or Alonnah, both a short drive away.
The Highlight
The Neck Lookout is unmissable. Climb the wooden stairs (it’s a bit of a workout) for views across both sides of the isthmus—ocean on one side, sheltered bay on the other. The panorama is worth the effort, particularly at sunrise or sunset.
But the real magic happens after dark. Little penguins come ashore at The Neck each evening, waddling up the beach to their burrows. There’s a designated viewing area with red lighting (which doesn’t disturb the penguins), and watching them navigate the sand is pretty special. Be respectful—keep noise and lights to a minimum, and stay behind the barriers.
During the day, explore the northern end of the island. Dennes Point offers coastal walks, and the general pace up here suits slow travellers perfectly. The Bruny Island Cheese Company is worth a stop if you’re into local produce—their selection is excellent.
Days 6–7: The Neck to Jetty Beach (South Bruny)
Lighthouses, Loaves & the Island’s Wild South
The Run
Neck Beach → Jetty Beach Campground 35km | 45 minutes
On the Road
Time to head south, and here’s where I need to talk about bread.
On your way down to Jetty Beach, you’ll pass The Bread Fridge. It’s exactly what it sounds like—a fridge by the side of the road, stocked with fresh sourdough loaves and fruit bread from a local baker. You leave your cash ($10 per loaf), take your bread, and carry on. It operates on the honour system, and the bread is genuinely excellent. As you turn back onto Bruny Island Main Road it is 6.4km and on the right.
Stop here on your way in. Then stop again on your way out. You will not regret this decision. If you see the ‘Sold Out’ sign, don’t panic—they restock regularly, but the locals and savvy travellers usually clear the shelves by mid-morning. It’s worth the early run.
The road is sealed to a little south of Lunawanna. There is about 17km of unsealed road, and you will not see a sealed road again until you return.
The Stay
Jetty Beach Campground — 2 nights
Jetty Beach gives you the time to explore South Bruny properly. The campground sits close to the water, and two nights means you’re not cramming everything into a single frantic day.
Sites are accessible for small caravans, though they vary in size—arriving earlier in the day gives you better options. Facilities are basic (pit toilets), so come prepared.
See our detailed information on Jetty Beach Campground.
The Highlight
Cape Bruny Lighthouse is the headline act. Australia’s second-oldest lighthouse is perched on dramatic cliffs at the island’s southern tip. The drive down is scenic (unsealed and winding—the final stretch is narrow in places, so take your time). Guided tours of the lighthouse are available if you want the full history, but even if you don’t go inside, the views alone are worth the trip.
Adventure Bay offers a sheltered beach good for swimming when conditions permit, plus some interesting history—early European explorers including Cook and Bligh stopped by in the 1770s and 80s.
On the trip south, you may like to stop at Bruny Island Premium Wines. It is a little north of Lunawanna. For beer drinkers, try the Cloud Bay IPA.
For walkers, the Fluted Cape track is a rewarding loop along coastal cliffs with views back to Adventure Bay. Keep an eye out for white wallabies along the trail.
Departing the Island: On your final morning, pack up, grab one last loaf from the Bread Fridge (seriously, do it), and head back to the ferry. The crossing deposits you at Kettering, and from there it’s a straightforward 33km drive back to Hobart.
Quick Reference: Campsites
| Day | Campsite | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin Camping Ground or Geeveston Rec Ground | Riverside calm or mountain access |
| 2 | Gillams Beach Campground | Coastal wilderness, South Cape Bay walk |
| 3 | Gordon Foreshore Rec Reserve Rest Area | Channel views, pre-ferry rest |
| 4–5 | Neck Beach Campground | Wildlife, penguins, island exploration |
| 6–7 | Jetty Beach Campground | Lighthouse, Bread Fridge, South Bruny |
The Wrap Up
This route won’t rush you. It’s designed for travellers who want to actually experience a place rather than just tick it off a list. The south of Tasmania rewards patience—whether that’s waiting for penguins at dusk, letting your legs recover after South Cape Bay, or simply sitting by the Channel with a coffee and nowhere to be.
If you’re towing a small rig and you prefer waking up to birdsong over generator hum, this is your kind of trip.
Safe travels, and don’t forget the bread.
Have you done this route? Got tips for fellow caravanners? Drop a comment below or tag us @roadtripnomads—we’d love to hear how it went.
