A travel guide to visiting the Neck Lookout on Bruny Island, Tasmania. Find out everything you need to know about Bruny’s most iconic viewpoint.
The aptly named “Neck Lookout” overlooks the Bruny Island Neck, a sandy isthmus connecting the north and south ends of Bruny Island in the south of Tasmania.
In this guide, I’ll answer all your questions about visiting this awesome lookout spot and include a few photos from my trip that I hope will inspire you to visit.
How to Get to the Neck Lookout on Bruny Island
In order to get to the Neck Lookout, you'll first need to get to Bruny Island. Ferries depart from Kettering, approximately 30 minutes south of Hobart. The ferry is quite quick and allow you to take a vehicle fairly cheaply. Therefore, the best way to explore this beautiful slice of Tassie is to drive here yourself.
Once you arrive at the Roberts Point Boat ramp, follow Lennon Road until it merges onto Bruny Island Main Highway heading south. Eventually, you'll reach The Neck, with the narrow stretch of sand and large, signed car park impossible to miss.
Alternatively, you can also book a very popular full-day tour of Bruny Island from Hobart that also includes a stop by the famous Neck Lookout!
Below I've pinned the exact location on Google Maps to help you find it.
- Google Maps Pin: "The Neck Lookout"
If you don't have your own vehicle yet, you might be in for a shock. That's because Tassie has some of the most expensive car rental prices in Australia. To help you save a few bucks, I've included the best resources for booking a car rental in Tasmania below.
Car Rentals in Tasmania
Unfortunately, the cost of bringing your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania has skyrocketed in recent years.
Now, it is usually cheaper to rent a car on arrival. I recommend using RentalCars.com in Tasmania to compare rates for different vehicles across dealerships.
(Rentals are limited in Tasmania so it's a good idea to book in advance).
RELATED: The Fluted Cape Walk on Bruny
The Neck Lookout
The Neck Lookout is the best way to take in the scenic coastal vistas of this unique isthmus. Once you reach the car park, you'll need to climb 279 timber steps to reach the outpost viewpoint above.
Let me tell you though, that this view is worth the hype, and the climb! At the top, you'll get a 360-degree vantage point overlooking the golden sands separating the beautiful D’Entrecasteaux Channel (on the left) from the Tasman Sea (on the right).
The wooden boardwalk and stairs also extend over to Neck Beach, an impossibly long stretch of sand that is home to native birds including short-tailed shearwaters and fairy penguins.
The Ultimate Tasmania Travel Resource
Looking for more Tasmania travel guides & adventure inspiration? Below are my most comprehensive blog posts that will serve as a great free resource for your trip.
The Neck Reserve Camping Area
If you're travelling around Tassie by camper like we did, then you should know that it's also possible to camp near The Neck Lookout on Bruny Island. This campsite is called The Neck Reserve Camping Area and you'll find it just a bit further south from the lookout.
Camping Tasmania has a great resource guide with up-to-date information.
More Activities and Things to do on Bruny Island Tasmania
Did you know that one of the most popular things to do on Bruny Island is to watch the penguins return to their burrows in the sand and dunes at the Neck Beach? September to February is the best time to see them returning at around dusk.
But, it doesn't end there. Below are my hand-picked links to some of the best activities and experiences available on the island.
Other Recommended Accommodation Options on Bruny
Below are two of the best accommodation options for Bruny Island in 2023.
Adventure Bay Holiday Home
This is the best-rated holiday and vacation home on the island. It is conveniently located right in Adventure Bay, close to the Fluted Cape and the cruise terminal.
It features two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living area and outdoor areas. This is easily one of the best value-for-money options on Bruny.
Bruny Island Escapes and Hotel Bruny
If you'd prefer to stay in a cosy cottage, then make sure to check out Bruny Island Escapes. They have several cottages throughout Bruny all featuring a private balcony, log fireplace and full kitchen facilities.
Explore More Tasmania Travel Guides and Adventure Blogs
That wraps up this guide to visiting the Neck on Bruny Island, Tasmania. Below you'll find some more guides and blogs for Tassie to help you discover more must-visit spots and off-the-beaten-track hidden gems.