Bruny Island, Tasmania, travel guide and things to do: Nine must-do highlights

The Neck is the length of sand that stretches like a piece of dough between North and South Bruny. It's actually an unusual geological feature called a tombolo peninsula, an isthmus made pretty much of beach (although this one also has a road). Tasmania has more than its fair share, with five tombolos, including at Maria Island and Freycinet. The lookout here, just before you cross the neck heading south, looks out over the sea and is the spot to see fairy penguins at dusk. There's also a camping ground nearby. See discovertasmania.com.au

THE ONE AIRBNB

​Bruny is geared for camping, for locals with shacks and for travellers in pods, lodges and Airbnbs. For the latter, look at Bruny Boathouse in Alonnah. It has quite the set-up and quite the view out its big folding glass doors, looking west over Satellite Island and D'Entrecasteaux Channel and all the way to the Hartz Mountains in the great beyond. The Hotel Bruny is a 10-minute walk along the beach and despite its humble exterior makes some very good meals for eat-in or take away. See airbnb.com.au

THE ONE MUSEUM

Quirky museums are always worth a stop and stare. At Adventure Bay, the sea-borne explorers get the attention in the Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration, a museum established to explore and explain the many landings at Adventure Bay, from Abel Tasman in 1642 to Tobias Furneaux in 1773, James Cook and William Bligh in 1777 (for the first of four landings for Bligh), Nicolas Baudin in 1802 and many others. All going well, the museum opens from 10am to 4pm daily, except Christmas Day and Good Friday. See southcom.com.au

THE ONE BAKER

A few kilometres before you reach Alonnah, there's a rustic sign in the trees advising of "wood oven bread ahead" and there it is, an old Kelvinator fridge on a gravel-road turnoff with the produce of #thebrunybaker waiting within. The shelves are stacked with fresh sourdough loaves and what would once have been the little freezer compartment might hold some Anzac or brownie slice. It costs $7.50 for a loaf and $2.50 for a piece of slice. Pop your $10 in the honesty box at the bottom of the fridge and be on your way. On Instagram, look for @thebrunybaker

THE ONE CRUISE

Looking at the island from the sea, the cliffs soar, the blowhole breathes, the kelp sweeps this way and that. You'll see seals and dolphins, and, with some luck, some whales breaching and feeding on their steady migration north or south. Bruny Island Cruises run a three-hour cruise out of Adventure Bay and along the coast of South Bruny. It's all done in a comfortable and capable open boat with expert and informative crew. See brunycruises.com.au

THE ONE SEAFOOD LUNCH

The base for the cruises is a visitor centre at Adventure Bay, which has a shop specialising in the work of local artisans, booking desk for the cruises and – best of all – an expansive deck looking out over the water. There's also a restaurant specialising in seafood, matched with wine from Bruny Island and other parts of Tasmania. The menu has fancy filled rolls, fresh salads and classics such as and fish and chips; all-up, it's a good option to rest and reflect on the cruise. See brunycruises.com.au/seafood-restaurant/

ONE MORE THING

This is an island rich in produce – bread, cheese, spreads and sauces, oysters, beer, whiskey, honey and chocolate among them. If they're on your list, then get them here. Otherwise, bring your own; range is limited at the island stores and they charge island prices. See brunyisland.org.au

Jim Darby was a guest of Bruny Boathouse and Pennicott Wilderness Journeys.