In Kettering, you can choose between trails with different profiles: the Kettering Point Track leads through coastal bushland, the Oval Track connects a garden with bushland, and the Manuka Hills Track focuses on forest and views. There is also the ferry service to Bruny Island. For your trip planning, you can therefore consider local trails and a possible crossing as separate components.
Coastal trails and different walking times
The Kettering Point Track is an easy trail near the coast that leads through open coastal bushland. From there, panoramic views extend across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island. Birds, orchids and wildflowers can be seen along the track; Aboriginal people’s shell middens are also beside the trail. The Kingborough Council 7th edition tracks booklet dated 28 April 2025 gives the Kettering Point Track loop a distance of 3 km and a walking time of one hour.
A new section of the Kettering Point Track connects Kettering Point with Trial Bay. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out. This lets you include the loop and the new section in your plans without assuming that the connection has fixed, current trail conditions.
According to the Kingborough Council 7th edition tracks booklet dated 28 April 2025, the Oval Track, at 1 km long and with a walking time of 30 minutes, is the shorter of the two loops with stated distances and times. It leads through the Kettering Bushland Garden into the bushland behind Kettering Oval and also follows the coast to a seat overlooking Little Oyster Cove. It therefore differs not only in the time required, but also in its sequence of garden, bushland and coastal views.
For a time comparison: the Kingborough Council 7th edition tracks booklet dated 28 April 2025 gives the Oval Track a distance of 1 km and a walking time of 30 minutes, and the Kettering Point Track a distance of 3 km and a walking time of one hour; the Oval Track is therefore shorter. If you would like to stop along the way, for example to take in the view or observe nature, allow extra time for this. The trails thus offer different timeframes, although walking time alone does not describe which sights along the way will interest you most.
Forest, views and cultural traces
The Manuka Hills Track passes through threatened silver peppermint forest. Its views extend to the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Forest and distant views are therefore the focus of this trail, while the Kettering Point Track combines coastal bushland, views of Bruny Island and the natural and cultural features visible there.
The Aboriginal people’s shell middens beside the Kettering Point Track add a cultural aspect to the nature observations. Birds, orchids and wildflowers are also among the features visible along the trail. If you are choosing a trail based on specific interests, these differences may help: coastal scenery and visible traces at Kettering Point, a garden and coastal views on the Oval Track, or forest and views on the Manuka Hills Track.
Plan your ferry trip and accommodation search
The SeaLink ferry from Kettering to Bruny Island takes about 15 minutes. Check the duration and operating details with the operator before travelling. The approximate crossing is a separate time component from the walking times for the loops: when planning, you can distinguish whether the focus is on the trails in Kettering or whether you would also like to include the trip to Bruny Island.
Kettering Concerts holds six to seven chamber music concerts in Kettering each year. If you would like to plan your visit around music events, check the current concert program before making plans. This lets you consider a possible concert visit as another focus alongside the trails and ferry trip, without assuming a specific date.
The specific walking times make it easier to compare the two loops with stated distances and times; the approximate ferry duration and a possible concert are separate planning considerations.
Discover more destinations: Corinna, Glengarry, Lulworth, Adventure Bay, Mole Creek, Mount Stuart, Tea Tree, Port Arthur.
For the overarching travel overview: Tasmania.
