Cape Bruny Lighthouse was built in 1836. It is the only lighthouse in Tasmania accessible by guided tour, and access is exclusive to Bruny Island Safaris. Director Craig Parsey grew up on Bruny Island when his father was the lighthouse keeper. He built this tour around that access. No other operator offers a guided lighthouse tour because no other operator has it.

The Essential Explorer is a full 10 hours on one of Australia's most remarkable islands. A fixed itinerary, guides who have run this route thousands of times, and a guaranteed lighthouse experience that no other operator in Australia can offer.

Your tour departs Hobart at 7am in an air-conditioned bus. The SeaLink ferry takes you across to Bruny Island. The first stop is Two Tree Point and the Bruny Island Bread Fridges: an unmanned roadside station where fresh bread is sold on the honour system, a Bruny Island institution and the own-cost morning tea option on this tour.

From there, Adventure Bay. Your guide knows where to look for the Bennett's white wallaby, an albino wallaby unique to this part of Tasmania. After thousands of tours, they know the spots. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the guide will make every effort.

Weather permitting, the bus drives through the Mount Mangana Rainforest before continuing into South Bruny National Park. National Parks Pass included in the price.

Then the lighthouse. Cape Bruny Lighthouse Museum included for all guests. Then the guided tour: 30 minutes, 72 steps to the balcony, views across the Southern Ocean. The original Fresnel lens, installed when the lighthouse was commissioned in 1836, is still preserved inside.

Lunch is in Lunawanna, 45 minutes at the local cafe, at your own cost.

After lunch, the producers. Bruny Island Chocolate Company. Bruny Island Honey, with honey tastings included. Bruny Island Cheese Company. Get Shucked Oyster Bar. Guided visits to the island's finest local producers, with the chance to taste and buy at each stop.

The day ends at The Neck: the narrow isthmus connecting North and South Bruny Island. Three fitness options: 279 stairs to the Truganini Lookout, a mid-level lookout, or a flat boardwalk to the beach.

The ferry returns to the mainland and the tour returns you to your Hobart hotel, arriving approximately 5:30pm. This is a guided road and ferry tour, not a cruise. Ferry fares and National Parks Pass included. Maximum 19 guests.