The Bruny Island Ultra Marathon (64 km) is a point-to-point ultra that traverses almost the entire length of Bruny Island, beginning at Dennes Point on North Bruny and finishing at the iconic Cape Bruny Lighthouse. While the race is often described as an "ultra for everyone", the course is far more demanding than its relatively modest elevation profile suggests. Long exposed stretches, rolling hills, changing road surfaces, coastal winds, and the cumulative fatigue of 64 kilometres make it a genuine endurance challenge. The event is largely self-supported, with solo runners relying on support crews throughout the day, and teams are made up of two to a maximin of ten runners.
The race begins in darkness for solo competitors, with the earliest starters leaving Dennes Point Jetty at 4:00 a.m. The opening two kilometres are uphill followed by another two kilometres of downhill, deceptively gentle, winding south along quiet country roads through farmland and native bush. The cool morning air and calm waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel often create an idyllic atmosphere, but experienced runners know not to be fooled. The six and a half kilometre mark is at the CWA hall, where support crews can stop to purchase an egg and bacon roll for breakfast from the volunteer fire brigade. The terrain constantly undulates, offering very few truly flat sections. The first hour is about patience, settling into rhythm, and conserving energy for the many kilometres still ahead.
As the course heads south, runners pass through the island's narrow isthmus known as The Neck. This section offers some of the race's most spectacular scenery, with sweeping views across both the Tasman Sea and the sheltered waters of the channel. On clear days the scenery is extraordinary, but the openness also leaves runners fully exposed to Tasmania's often unpredictable coastal winds.
The road continues to roll relentlessly. None of the climbs are particularly steep, yet the constant succession of short ascents and descents steadily taxes the legs. By halfway, runners have already accumulated a surprising amount of elevation despite never encountering a major mountain.
The course continues into the township of Alonnah, home to the famous Hotel Bruny. For marathon competitors this is close to the finish area at the back of the Hotel, but ultra runners are only around two-thirds of the way through their journey.
Around Alonnah, the route briefly diverts for the marathon runners from the main road onto the Sheepwash Walking Track, a scenic out-and-back section beside the shoreline, this is one of the few parts of the race away from the road, offering softer footing and beautiful coastal views before runners rejoin the highway for the push to the finish of the Marathon.
After leaving Alonnah, the character of the race changes. The field becomes increasingly spread out, support crews leapfrog their runners between checkpoints, and the road feels quieter and more isolated.
This section traverses open farmland, patches of eucalyptus forest, and increasingly rugged coastal landscapes. Fatigue becomes the dominant challenge. Although the elevation remains moderate, the endless rolling terrain makes maintaining pace increasingly difficult. Headwinds are common, and warm temperatures can become a significant factor if the weather is clear.
The final kilometres are the defining feature of the race. After entering the national park, the road narrows and the landscape becomes distinctly wilder. Native forest gives way to dramatic coastal scenery as runners approach the southern tip of Bruny Island.
The last several kilometres include the race's most significant climb, ascending toward the historic Cape Bruny Lighthouse. After more than 60 kilometres of running, the gradient feels far steeper than it appears on paper. Every rise demands concentration and determination.
Eventually the white lighthouse comes into view, perched high above towering sea cliffs. The finish line sits beside one of Tasmania's most recognisable landmarks, rewarding runners with panoramic views across the Southern Ocean and a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Few Australian ultras offer such a memorable finish.
The Bruny Island Ultra is often described as one of Australia's most scenic road ultras. Rather than technical trails or mountainous terrain, it tests runners through sustained rolling hills, exposure to the elements, and the mental challenge of covering an entire island from north to south. The route showcases Bruny Island's remarkable diversity—peaceful farmland, pristine beaches, dense bushland, coastal cliffs, and finally the dramatic Cape Bruny Lighthouse—making it a race remembered as much for its scenery as for the physical challenge of reaching the finish.
