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Labillardiere Peninsula, Tasmania - A Wild Coastal Walk on Bruny Island
- Oct 29, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 28
Labillardiere Peninsula, Tasmania - A Wild Coastal Walk on Bruny Island
The Labillardiere Peninsula is one of Bruny Island’s most spectacular and rewarding hiking destinations. Located on the island’s southern end and surrounded by the waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, this rugged peninsula showcases some of Tasmania’s most dramatic coastal scenery.
Bruny Island is renowned for its wild beauty, and the Labillardiere Peninsula captures it perfectly — with towering dolerite cliffs, windswept headlands, sheltered sandy beaches, and an ever-changing seascape alive with seabirds and wildlife. This walk is ideal for experienced hikers seeking a full-day adventure in a remote and stunning natural environment.
Labillardiere Peninsula Walk Overview
Distance: 18-kilometre circuit - Time: Approximately 6 hours - Grade: 4
This long and varied circuit is one of the 60 Great Short Walks of Tasmania, and take you right around the Labillardiere Peninsula, offering a mix of coastal and elevated views, quiet beaches, rocky headlands, and open heathland. It’s a physically demanding walk but incredibly rewarding for those prepared for a full day on the track.
Shorter Option
If you’re short on time or prefer a gentler outing, the Luggaboine Circuit is a great alternative. Distance: 4 kilometres - Time: Around 2 hours
From Jetty Beach to Wildflower Heath
The walk begins at the Jetty Beach Campground in South Bruny National Park. From the very start, the track offers a wonderful variety of scenery, with coastal heathlands bursting with seasonal wildflowers. During spring and early summer, look out for colourful blooms and delicate native orchids scattered along the track.
We chose to walk the circuit clockwise, having heard that the views are more impressive in this direction — and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Western Coastline and Mount Bleak
The first section follows an old 4WD track along the western coastline of the Labillardiere Peninsula. Here, the views stretch across rugged cliffs and open water, with waves rolling in below and seabirds gliding overhead.
Midway through the walk, the track climbs steeply up Mount Bleak. While the ascent is short, it’s one of the more challenging sections of the hike. From the top, you’re rewarded with sweeping views across the coastline and out toward Partridge Island, marking the halfway point of the circuit.
Beaches, Bays, and Coastal Trails
From Mount Bleak, the track descends back toward the coast, emerging at Hopwood Beach. This is a beautiful stretch of shoreline and a lovely place to pause before continuing.
Follow the beach until the track reappears, then continue through low, scrubby vegetation toward Butlers Beach. At the end of Butlers Beach, the track hugs the coastline for several kilometres, offering uninterrupted ocean views and a real sense of isolation.
The final stretch brings you back to the calm, sheltered sands of Jetty Beach, completing the circuit in one of the most peaceful corners of Bruny Island.
Getting to Labillardiere Peninsula
The only way to access Bruny Island is by ferry. The Bruny Island Ferry departs from Kettering, approximately 40 minutes south of Hobart. The ferry crossing takes around 20 minutes and offers beautiful views across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. It’s a vehicle ferry, so you can take your car, campervan, or motorhome across.
Driving to the Walk
From the ferry terminal on Bruny Island, South Bruny National Park is approximately 90 minutes away.
Drive along Main Road for 42 kilometres
Turn onto Lighthouse Road and continue for 20 kilometres
Turn right into Jetty Beach Campground and follow the road to the car park
A True Bruny Island Adventure
The Labillardiere Peninsula walk is one of Bruny Island’s most immersive and unforgettable hiking experiences. With its dramatic coastal scenery, quiet beaches, wildflower-filled heath, and sense of remote wilderness, it offers a deep connection to Tasmania’s raw and untamed landscape.
If you’re an experienced walker looking for a challenging and rewarding full-day hike, the Labillardiere Peninsula is an absolute must-do on Bruny Island.
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