The Labillardiere Peninsula walk is one of Bruny Island’s most substantial day hikes.

This walk is ideal if:

Want a full-day coastal walk without technical climbing

Enjoy long hikes broken up by beaches and swims

Don’t mind overgrown or rough track sections

Like packing a lunch and stopping for extended breaks

Prefer walks where the journey matters more than a single viewpoint

It is long and varied, but mostly quite a straightforward walk with minimal inclines, though it does require a little bush bashing. This walk is a full-day commitment, but is especially rewarding, with many remote beaches, headlands, scrubby inland sections, and exposed coastline.

This walk isn’t great if you are only on Bruny Island for the day — you don’t want to miss that ferry! But if you are on Bruny for a few days, pack a picnic, carry plenty of water, and bring swimmers to take advantage of the stunning, and serenely quiet, beaches along the way.

What to Expect on the Labillardiere Peninsula Walk

This walk offers loads of track variation and feels like a remote wilderness journey, rather than a walk to see a spectacular view or specific highlight.

Expect:

• Long stretches of coastal walking

• Inland sections where scrub and ferns crowd the track

• Multiple beaches and rocky coves

• Very limited facilities once you leave the trailhead

• A strong sense of distance covered over the day

The loop alternates between open coastline and enclosed bush. That shift helps break the walk into manageable sections, but it also means conditions can change quickly depending on wind, weather, and exposure.

Best Time to Walk the Labillardiere Peninsula

Late spring through early autumn offers the most reliable conditions.

Summer is popular due to warmer water temperatures, making swimming stops more appealing. However, exposed sections can feel demanding in strong sun or wind. Spring and autumn tend to provide more comfortable walking temperatures, with fewer extremes.

Winter is possible, but colder temperatures, stronger winds, and shorter daylight hours turn this into a more committing undertaking. Swims become optional rather than expected, though I challenge you to at least take a dip at Jetty Beach and enjoy the cold water before heading back to your car — I promise you will feel totally reinvigorated!

Hot Shot Spot 📸

Additionally, winter makes for dramatic views of the snow-capped peaks of Hartz Mountain National Park in the east — best viewed and photographed looking east from Kernow Beach, a magnificent dolerite boulder beach approximately 4 km into your walk.

Whatever the season, check the forecast carefully. Wind direction and strength play a major role in how this walk feels. If the forecast calls for strong winds from the west, they will feel particularly icy blowing off the peaks of Hartz Mountain National Park.

Track Conditions and Things to Be Aware Of

This is not a manicured coastal track, but rather a varied walk where some sections follow vehicle access tracks, and others battle their way through overgrown fern forests.

The western side of the peninsula is generally clearer, following more obvious tracks with few obstacles. The eastern side, beyond Butlers Beach, is rougher and more overgrown, with sections where ferns and scrub encroach on the track. Long pants are strongly recommended — pushing through vegetation is unavoidable in places, and those ferns can be mighty sharp!

There are no toilets, water points, or facilities along the route. Carry everything you need for the day, and of course, bring it back out again.

Some beaches are exposed to swell and wind. Always assess conditions carefully before swimming, and be conservative if unsure.

Setting Off on the Loop

Most walkers choose to complete the loop in a clockwise direction, spacing the more demanding sections across the day. Early stages follow the coastline, easing you into the walk without immediately requiring major effort.

Beaches Worth Planning Around

Several beaches along the peninsula are backed by grass and sheltered from prevailing winds, making them ideal places for longer breaks. Butlers Beach stands out as one of the best spots to stop for lunch. We packed the Trangia and cooked hiking risotto here, sitting on the grass in the shade. If you have the time, this is a great way to break up a long — and at times quite monotonous — walk.

Ponder While You Wander

A few kilometres into the walk — assuming a clockwise direction — you’ll reach a beach covered in smooth, rounded stones.

These rocks are dolerite boulders, and they played an important role in supporting the theory of continental drift. Dolerite is widespread in Tasmania, but identical formations also occur in Antarctica, South Africa, and South America.

This shared geology helped confirm that these landmasses were once connected as part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Standing on this beach, you’re quite literally walking across evidence of that shared history.

Wildlife Along the Track

Wildlife sightings are common if you’re observant.

Bennett’s wallabies frequently move through the scrub along the track. On the beaches, pied oystercatchers and hooded plovers are often seen feeding or nesting directly on the sand — tread carefully and give them space.

White-bellied sea eagles patrol the coastline, and echidnas are sometimes spotted digging along the track edges. Look for freshly disturbed sections of soil — this is usually a sign there is a hungry echidna nearby.