This is a relatively sheltered paddle close along the rocky shoreline of the Labillardiere Peninsula out to Partridge Island via the pretty and secluded Butlers Beach. Options to extend your paddling trip include circumnavigating Partridge Island, paddling to Hopwood point or camping overnight on partridge Island.
Highlights
A picturesque coastline within a national park, this paddle has multiple sandy beaches to stop at along the way. A range of birdlife can be seen in the area including white-bellied sea eagles, cormorants and gulls.
Nature
Natural features
This coastline is part of the South Bruny National Park, with eucalyptus forest and coastal scrub making up the majority of the vegetation. Several types of kelp and seaweed can be seen through the water close to the coastline, and various sea birds including white-bellied sea eagles, cormorants and gulls frequent the area.
Conservation
There has been recent and growing controversy and concern over the expansion of industrial Salmon farming near this coastline, with the heavy waste underneath salmon pens causing degradation of the underlying seabeds and a disappearance of important marine habitats. This has recently famously been exposed in Richard Flanagan's new book,'Toxic'.
Track details
There are a number of add-ons that can be included in this paddle which have been outlined below, as well as the option to turn it into an overnight trip. There is also a campground at the beginning of this trail, which makes for a good base when exploring the area by kayak (fees apply). This area is within the South Bruny National Park, and a parks pass is required to enter.
To begin, unload your kayak at Jetty Beach before parking your car at the campground behind the beach. Unless there is a northerly wind, this is generally a sheltered location to put in your kayak. From here you can paddle along the rocky, forested coastline of the Labillardiere Peninsula, making your way out towards Butlers Point and Partridge Island.
There are a few sandy beaches within the first two kilometres of the paddle, however, after this, the next sandy landing point is Butlers Beach at the end of the peninsula. It is around 7km heading north-west from Jetty Beach to Butlers Beach, which makes for a great spot to stop for lunch or a snack.
From Butlers Beach, it is a short paddle of around 400 metres across to a small beach on the southern end of Partridge Island, which could make for an alternative lunch spot. From here, you have the option of beginning your trip back to Jetty Beach, circumnavigating Partridge Island or paddling around the point of the Labillardiere Peninsula to Hopwood Point for views looking south towards the Pineapple Rocks.
Keep in mind that there can be strong tidal flow between Partridge Island and the Labillardiere Peninsula, and westerly winds will funnel through this point increasing wind speed and potentially making for rough, localised seas.
If you choose to circumnavigate Partridge Island, this will add around 5km to your journey, so it is important to make sure you have enough energy and daylight hours to safely complete your trip.
On the eastern side of the island, it is similar terrain to what you will have experienced paddling along the Labillardiere Peninsula, with reasonably dense eucalyptus forest leading down to a rocky foreshore. As you paddle along the eastern side of the island, you will pass a jetty, which is the landing point to reach the campsite on Partridge Island*. The western side of the island has exposed coastline and is open to the swell rolling in from the Southern Ocean into the D’entrecasteaux Channel. There are rocky cliffs along the western side of the island which may have waves breaking on them, and there are no easy landing points.
Alternatively, if you choose to paddle to Hopwood Point, you will paddle through the Partridge Narrows and past Hopwood Beach. It is around 3.5km return to Hopwood Point from Butlers Beach.
*If you choose to turn your trip into an overnighter, there is a grassy area that has been used as a campsite in the past on Partridge Island. It is around 100 metres up a track that is behind the jetty, around 1.5km north from the southern tip of the island along the eastern coastline. There are, however, no facilities at this site, and the landing point is at a jetty with no beach access.
Conditions
A reasonably sheltered paddle as there is coastal protection from all southerly aspects and most westerly aspects. More exposed to northerly and north-westerly winds. This paddle becomes more exposed if you choose to venture into the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to circumnavigate Partridge Island.
Safety advice
Potential hazards to be aware of when kayaking include unpredictable wind strengths and directions, capsizing, hypothermia, sunstroke, and drowning. To best prevent these incidents from occurring it is crucial that appropriate safety equipment is used and the kayaker should have a sound understanding of the effects of wind, currents and water temperature in the local area. Prior to undertaking this trip, kayakers should review the local safety equipment requirements and other safety information as outlined by MAST, which can be found here: https://mast.tas.gov.au/safe-b...
While paddling close to the coastline along the Labillardiere Peninsula in Great Taylors Bay is reasonably protected, if you choose to paddle further out into the D’entrecasteaux Channel, you will be exposed to swell, wind, and localised seas, and this should only be attempted by experienced paddlers and in safe conditions.
Age restrictions and advice
Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Location
Old Jetty Road, South Bruny Tasmania 7150, Australia
Drive south from the Roberts Point Ferry Terminal on Bruny on the B66 (Bruny Island Main Road) for 42km to Lunawanna, before turning right at the T-junction at Lunawanna onto Lighthouse Road (C629). From here, drive south on Lighthouse Road (C629) for 16.7km before turning right onto Old Jetty Road. Drive 2.3km along Old Jetty Road until you reach the Jetty Beach Campground. There is a road down to the beach to the right of the campground where you can unload your kayak before moving your car to park at the campground. Parking is not permitted on the beach.
Booking information
While no bookings are required, a parks pass is required to enter the national park which can be purchased here https://passes.parks.tas.gov.a...
If you choose to stay at the Jetty Beach campground, sites cannot be booked in advance and it is first come first served.
Nature
Natural features
This coastline is part of the South Bruny National Park, with eucalyptus forest and coastal scrub making up the majority of the vegetation. Several types of kelp and seaweed can be seen through the water close to the coastline, and various sea birds including white-bellied sea eagles, cormorants and gulls frequent the area.
Conservation
There has been recent and growing controversy and concern over the expansion of industrial Salmon farming near this coastline, with the heavy waste underneath salmon pens causing degradation of the underlying seabeds and a disappearance of important marine habitats. This has recently famously been exposed in Richard Flanagan's new book,'Toxic'.
Track details
There are a number of add-ons that can be included in this paddle which have been outlined below, as well as the option to turn it into an overnight trip. There is also a campground at the beginning of this trail, which makes for a good base when exploring the area by kayak (fees apply). This area is within the South Bruny National Park, and a parks pass is required to enter.
To begin, unload your kayak at Jetty Beach before parking your car at the campground behind the beach. Unless there is a northerly wind, this is generally a sheltered location to put in your kayak. From here you can paddle along the rocky, forested coastline of the Labillardiere Peninsula, making your way out towards Butlers Point and Partridge Island.
There are a few sandy beaches within the first two kilometres of the paddle, however, after this, the next sandy landing point is Butlers Beach at the end of the peninsula. It is around 7km heading north-west from Jetty Beach to Butlers Beach, which makes for a great spot to stop for lunch or a snack.
From Butlers Beach, it is a short paddle of around 400 metres across to a small beach on the southern end of Partridge Island, which could make for an alternative lunch spot. From here, you have the option of beginning your trip back to Jetty Beach, circumnavigating Partridge Island or paddling around the point of the Labillardiere Peninsula to Hopwood Point for views looking south towards the Pineapple Rocks.
Keep in mind that there can be strong tidal flow between Partridge Island and the Labillardiere Peninsula, and westerly winds will funnel through this point increasing wind speed and potentially making for rough, localised seas.
If you choose to circumnavigate Partridge Island, this will add around 5km to your journey, so it is important to make sure you have enough energy and daylight hours to safely complete your trip.
On the eastern side of the island, it is similar terrain to what you will have experienced paddling along the Labillardiere Peninsula, with reasonably dense eucalyptus forest leading down to a rocky foreshore. As you paddle along the eastern side of the island, you will pass a jetty, which is the landing point to reach the campsite on Partridge Island*. The western side of the island has exposed coastline and is open to the swell rolling in from the Southern Ocean into the D’entrecasteaux Channel. There are rocky cliffs along the western side of the island which may have waves breaking on them, and there are no easy landing points.
Alternatively, if you choose to paddle to Hopwood Point, you will paddle through the Partridge Narrows and past Hopwood Beach. It is around 3.5km return to Hopwood Point from Butlers Beach.
*If you choose to turn your trip into an overnighter, there is a grassy area that has been used as a campsite in the past on Partridge Island. It is around 100 metres up a track that is behind the jetty, around 1.5km north from the southern tip of the island along the eastern coastline. There are, however, no facilities at this site, and the landing point is at a jetty with no beach access.
Conditions
A reasonably sheltered paddle as there is coastal protection from all southerly aspects and most westerly aspects. More exposed to northerly and north-westerly winds. This paddle becomes more exposed if you choose to venture into the D’Entrecasteaux Channel to circumnavigate Partridge Island.
Safety advice
Potential hazards to be aware of when kayaking include unpredictable wind strengths and directions, capsizing, hypothermia, sunstroke, and drowning. To best prevent these incidents from occurring it is crucial that appropriate safety equipment is used and the kayaker should have a sound understanding of the effects of wind, currents and water temperature in the local area. Prior to undertaking this trip, kayakers should review the local safety equipment requirements and other safety information as outlined by MAST, which can be found here: https://mast.tas.gov.au/safe-b...
While paddling close to the coastline along the Labillardiere Peninsula in Great Taylors Bay is reasonably protected, if you choose to paddle further out into the D’entrecasteaux Channel, you will be exposed to swell, wind, and localised seas, and this should only be attempted by experienced paddlers and in safe conditions.
Age restrictions and advice
Children should be accompanied by an adult.
Location
Old Jetty Road, South Bruny Tasmania 7150, Australia
Drive south from the Roberts Point Ferry Terminal on Bruny on the B66 (Bruny Island Main Road) for 42km to Lunawanna, before turning right at the T-junction at Lunawanna onto Lighthouse Road (C629). From here, drive south on Lighthouse Road (C629) for 16.7km before turning right onto Old Jetty Road. Drive 2.3km along Old Jetty Road until you reach the Jetty Beach Campground. There is a road down to the beach to the right of the campground where you can unload your kayak before moving your car to park at the campground. Parking is not permitted on the beach.
Booking information
While no bookings are required, a parks pass is required to enter the national park which can be purchased here https://passes.parks.tas.gov.a...
If you choose to stay at the Jetty Beach campground, sites cannot be booked in advance and it is first come first served.
Key info
4-5 hrs return from Jetty Beach to Partridge Island + an additional 1-2 hours to include a circumnavigation of Partridge Island, + 45 minutes to continue on to Hopwood Point and back. return
16km return to Partridge Island + 5km for Partridge Island circumnavigation + 3.5km to Hopwood Point return. return
Grade 3: Difficult
If you are camping at Jetty Beach campground, It is $10 a night. There is a machine for payments at the site that takes both cash and card.
Parks passes range in price depending on length of access required, and further details can be found here: https://parks.tas.gov.au/explo...
Facilities
There is a campground behind the put-in point where there is a toilet, campsites and picnic benches. Fires can be had at this campsite within existing fire-pits. There are no facilities after you leave Jetty Beach Campground.