Guide on how to hike the 7.2 km return Fluted Cape Trail on Bruny Island, Tasmania. Spot elusive white wallabies and enjoy spectacular coastal views.
Bruny Island is an adventure and hiking paradise. One of the most rewarding hikes on the island is the Fluted Cape Walk, which offers excellent coastal views and abundant wildlife spotting opportunities.
In this guide, I mention everything you need to know about the Fluted Cape Walk before your visit!
Where is the Fluted Cape Walk?
The walk begins at the appropriately named Adventure Bay on the eastern coast of South Bruny Island, Tasmania. There is a dedicated car park next to the Bruny Island Cruise terminal (not the car ferry terminal) where you can leave your car and begin the hike.
Google Maps Pin: "Boat Ramp Rd Parking"
How to Get to the Fluted Cape Trailhead
Adventure Bay is accessible by sealed roads suitable to any vehicle type. Expect roughly 35 minutes to get here if you're driving from the Bruny Island Ferry Terminal in the north.
Unfortunately, reaching the Fluted Cape track is not possible without your own transport (or hitchhiking) as there is no public transport going to Adventure Bay.
However, if you're set on seeing the Fluted Cape and the incredible southeastern Bruny coastline, then I can highly recommend getting a Bruny Island cruise from Adventure Bay. The best part is, if you book online, you can get transport from your accommodation on Bruny Island or even a guided bus from Hobart.
This trip has been ranked Australia's best tourism activity three times in the last ten years, so don't miss it!
Alternatively, you can hire your own car to explore the island. I recommend using DiscoverCars in Tasmania to compare vehicle rates across dealerships.
The Fluted Cape Walk: Trail Guide
- Hiking Distance: 7.2 km (circuit loop)
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Elevation: 345 m total elevation gain |
315 m AMSL at the cape lookout - Difficulty: Moderate
The Fluted Cape track is a well-maintained loop hike that starts and finishes at the Adventure Bay car park (Grass Point Track). The best way to walk it is in a clock-wise direction, as this makes for a more enjoyable walk on the ascent.
The track follows a mostly flat eucalypt forest until it gets to Grass Point. From here, expect a gentle incline until you reach the Fluted Cape lookout point.
There are several great spots along the way to stop and admire the view. As a result, expect to spend at least 2-3 hours on the trail.
East Cove to Grass Point
The first section of the walk begins on the beach at Adventure Bay. Hikers will need to walk along the Grass Point Track to the far end of the beach (right) and cross a gentle stream before entering the forest track known as East Cove.
From here, the track turns left and follows the coast to Grass Point. Keep an eye out for wallabies in the scrub. There are a few clearings where you can get a great view of Adventure Bay.
The Gulch and Penguin Island
After approximately 2 km, you'll reach Grass Point. This is a rocky "gulch" or stream between the coast and Penguin Island.
While we didn't see any Penguins here, we took some time to admire the huge waves rolling in and read the information plaques that described the whaling history of this region.
Grass Point is a good spot to turn around if you are not prepared to continue on the Fluted Cape walk. However, I highly recommend doing so as the views are excellent.
The Fluted Cape
Immediately right from Grass Point the track continues and begins to climb for the next 2.2 km until you reach the Fluted Cape lookout. This section of the walk is the most beautiful in my opinion. Take your time and stop often to admire the sheer cliffs and deep-blue waters of the bays beneath.
We found this a little tricky at first to tell where the trail finished and looped back down. However, if you continue onwards on the obvious track, you'll eventually come to a signpost just before the Fluted Cape Lookout.
Return to Adventure Bay
From the signpost at the cape, you'll walk back to Adventure Bay by following a forested track. This stretch doesn't offer any views but is still an enjoyable way to wrap up the circuit as you continue on a gentle stroll back to Adventure Bay.
Once you arrive back at East Cove, keep an eye out for the very rare white wallabies that are known to live here. We spotted two on our trip and I must say they're much flightier than the other wallabies and getting a photo was nearly impossible.
Looking for a Place to Sleep on Bruny Island?
If you're looking to stay on Bruny overnight then below are my top picks for a comfortable stay! One is particularly close to the Fluted Cape trail and would be a great base if you're looking to do the hike.
This is the best-rated holiday and vacation home on the island. It is conveniently located in Adventure Bay, close to the Fluted Cape and the cruise terminal.
Cottages that cater to all group sizes and feature a private balcony, fireplace, and fully equipped kitchen facilities. Just a minute's walk to crystal clear waters and a 10-minute drive to the main Bruny Hotel.
And that's a wrap! I hope that you enjoyed this quick guide to hiking the Fluted Cape Walk on Bruny Island Tasmania.
For more adventure guides and Tassie travel inspiration, make sure to check out some of my other blogs below.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!