Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour: Climb to the Fresnel Lens
Spiral staircase to a working lighthouse built on a cliff edge
A guided tour of Cape Bruny Lighthouse, the only lighthouse in Southern Tasmania open to visitors, where you climb the spiral staircase to the Prism room to see the original Fresnel lens and relics from the lighthouse-keeper era. The tour runs 30 minutes and includes a local guide and binoculars. The lighthouse sits within South Bruny National Park, which requires a National Parks Pass to enter. Children must be at least 5 years old. A 5–15 minute uphill walk leads to the lighthouse entrance.
Step-by-step itinerary
Guided Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour
- Enter South Bruny National Park
- Join guided Cape Bruny Lighthouse tour
- Climb spiral staircase to Prism room
- View Fresnel lens and relics
- Enjoy views from Lighthouse balcony
- Learn maritime history from guide
- South Bruny National Park passing by
- Cape Bruny Lighthouse Entry included 25m
What’s included
- A local guide who leads you through the lighthouse and explains its maritime history and the lives of the lighthouse keepers.
- binoculars so you can see across the water from the balcony.
- access to the Prism room where the original Fresnel lens is displayed.
Times
- Every day 09:30 10:00 10:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00
Before you book
Operated by Bruny Island Safaris
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The experience
The lighthouse sits inside South Bruny National Park on Bruny Island, Tasmania. You'll need a National Parks Pass to enter the park (buy it online from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife or at the ticketing machine in the car park), and then walk uphill for 5 to 15 minutes to reach the lighthouse. A local guide meets you at the entrance and leads you inside.
The tour takes you up the spiral staircase into the Prism room, where the old Fresnel lens still stands. Your guide explains the maritime history and the lives of the lighthouse keepers who worked here. The tour was designed by the company's Managing Director, whose father was one of them. From the lighthouse balcony you get the best views on Bruny Island. The vantage point is what makes the climb worthwhile. Binoculars are provided so you can see farther across the water and the coastline.
The whole tour runs 30 minutes. Toilets are available near the Cape Bruny Lighthouse Museum, and the operator recommends arriving early to allow time for the walk up. The road into South Bruny National Park is unsealed, so drive with care and adjust to the conditions. Children under 5 cannot enter the lighthouse for safety reasons. Children 5 and older must be accompanied by an adult.
Is this one for you?At 30 minutes, the tour fits into a morning or afternoon on Bruny Island without consuming the whole day: the uphill walk adds another 5 to 15 minutes, so plan for roughly an hour total from car park to balcony and back. This is a short, focused experience, not a full-day excursion.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What is the Fresnel lens and why is it still in the lighthouse?
The Fresnel lens is the original optical device that focused and magnified the lighthouse beam across the water. It sits in the Prism room at the top of Cape Bruny Lighthouse and remains as a relic from the days when lighthouse keepers lived and worked here to guide ships along the coast.
How long is the walk to reach Cape Bruny Lighthouse from the car park?
The walk is uphill and takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on pace and fitness. The operator recommends arriving early to allow plenty of time for the walk before your guided tour begins.
Do I need to buy a National Parks Pass before I arrive?
A National Parks Pass is required to enter South Bruny National Park where the lighthouse is located. You can purchase one online from Tasmania Parks and Wildlife before you go, or buy it at the ticketing machine in the car park when you arrive.
What views will I see from the lighthouse balcony?
The lighthouse balcony offers the best views on Bruny Island, looking out across the water and the coastline. Binoculars are provided so you can see farther across the ocean and the surrounding landscape.
Cape Bruny Lighthouse Tour: Climb to the Fresnel Lens
30m · EN
from AU$ 25 per person
≈ US$ 18 in your currency
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