Cape Bruny Lighthouse
- August 15, 2026
A short, easy walk to Australia"s second-oldest lighthouse, perched high above the Southern Ocean at the southern tip of Bruny…
The East Cloudy Head Walk is one of the more substantial day walks in South Bruny National Park, combining a long stretch of windswept beach with heathland, steep climbs and expansive views over Bruny Island’s wild southern coastline. The first half of the walk follows the white sands of Cloudy Bay Beach before turning inland beside Imlays Creek and climbing on an old 4WD track toward East Cloudy Head. From the higher ground, walkers are rewarded with views toward The Friars and, in clear conditions, across to kunanyi / Mount Wellington and the southern ranges.
| Location | South Bruny National Park, Bruny Island, Tasmania |
| Distance | 12 km return |
| Time | Approximately 4 hours return |
| Difficulty | Hard – Grade 4 |
| Track Type | Return via Cloudy Bay Beach and old 4WD track |
| Track Surface | Beach sand, creek crossings, rough track and steep sections |
| Children | Best suited to older, experienced walkers |
| Dogs | No – dogs are not permitted in South Bruny National Park |
| Park Pass | Yes – a valid Tasmanian Parks Pass is required |
| Best Time | Settled, clear weather; avoid very windy or stormy conditions |
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The walk begins from the car park at the end of Cloudy Bay Road and immediately heads onto Cloudy Bay Beach. The first roughly 3 km are walked along the sand. Parks & Wildlife Service asks walkers to stay on the wet sand during spring and summer because nesting shorebirds lay their eggs among debris higher on the beach. At the southern end of the beach, the route turns inland beside Imlays Creek and joins an old 4WD track. The final section is much more demanding, with several steep ascents and descents through colourful coastal heathland before reaching East Cloudy Head.
East Cloudy Head is rated Grade 4.
The walk is long enough to require reasonable fitness, and the combination of soft beach sand, rough track, creek crossings and steep climbs makes it considerably more demanding than Bruny Island’s easier coastal walks. Bushwalking experience is recommended.
The opening section follows one of South Bruny’s most beautiful beaches. Cloudy Bay feels wonderfully remote, with long stretches of white sand, rolling surf and very little development. The beach walking section alone is one of the highlights of the route.
The main reward comes when you reach the higher ground around East Cloudy Head. Views extend along Bruny Island’s rugged southern coastline and out toward The Friars. On particularly clear days, Parks & Wildlife Service notes that walkers can also see west and north-west toward kunanyi / Mount Wellington and Tasmania’s southern ranges.
After leaving the beach, the route climbs through colourful heathland alive with birdlife. The vegetation can become dense in places, and local Bruny Island walking information notes that long sleeves and trousers can be useful where heath has grown across the old track.
The offshore rock formations known as The Friars are one of the major visual landmarks from the headland and help give the southern Bruny coastline its dramatic character.
Cloudy Bay is important habitat for nesting shorebirds. During spring and summer, birds may lay eggs among seaweed, driftwood and other debris on the upper beach. Parks & Wildlife Service asks walkers to stay on the wet sand close to the water during this period to reduce the risk of disturbing nests or accidentally stepping on eggs.
⚠️ This is a Grade 4 walk in a remote part of Bruny Island.
Parks & Wildlife Service recommends carrying extra food and a Personal Locator Beacon when walking in remote areas or uncertain conditions.
Generally only for older, fit children or teenagers with bushwalking experience.
The 12 km distance, soft sand, rough track and steep sections make East Cloudy Head significantly more demanding than Grass Point or Truganini Lookout. Families should choose this walk only if everyone is comfortable with a sustained half-day outing.
No. East Cloudy Head is inside South Bruny National Park, so dogs and other pets are not permitted.
East Cloudy Head starts from the car park at the end of Cloudy Bay Road. Bruny Island is reached by vehicle ferry from Kettering, south of Hobart. From the ferry terminal at Roberts Point, drive south along Lennon Road and Bruny Island Main Road through Alonnah. At the T-junction in Lunawanna, turn left onto Cloudy Bay Road and continue to the car park at the end of the road. Parks & Wildlife Service advises that the drive from the ferry terminal to the trailhead takes approximately 50 minutes.
Facilities near the Cloudy Bay trailhead include:
There are no facilities once you leave the trailhead, so carry everything you need for the full walk.
East Cloudy Head offers something very different from Bruny Island’s shorter sightseeing walks. The long beach approach gives the walk a genuine sense of journey, while the rougher climb beyond Imlays Creek takes you into remote heathland and higher coastal country. The payoff is a broad panorama over South Bruny’s wild coast, The Friars and, on a clear day, distant mountains across southern Tasmania.
For walkers who want a more adventurous half-day experience on Bruny Island, East Cloudy Head is one of the island’s standout choices.
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