Open Water Swimming Tasmania
DISTANCE
29.1km
WATER TYPE
River/ Estuary
EXPERIENCE
Intermediate
LOCATION
Hobart
REGION
Hobart & South
Swim Stats
First completed: January 2023 (Jonathan Wall, Australia)
Total successful completions: 4
Fastest recorded male time: 7:23:20 (Anton Ilchenko, Feb 2025, as part of New Norfolk to Bruny)
Fastest recorded female time: 8:18:59 (Helen Conway, Feb 2026)
Overview
A slightly longer version of the beautiful Tasman to Bruny swim, starting six kilometres upstream at the Bowen Bridge.
The swim covers industrial maritime zone, urban waterfront, million dollar mansions, spectacular cliffs and beautiful beaches. The final crossing of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel can make for a tough finish if the afternoon winds have picked up but a finish on the stunning sandy beaches of Bruny Island is the reward.
At 29.1km, this swim offers a comparable swim time to the slightly longer Derwent River Big Swim but gives the swimmer a different perspective on the river, with water temperatures typically colder than upstream and more exposure to Tasmania's challenging winds.
Route Description
The swim starts under the Bowen Bridge on the River Derwent. The first six kilometres down to the Tasman Bridge pass through Hobart's industrial maritime zone.
After swimming under the Tasman Bridge, 6 kilometres downstream, the swim hugs the western shore of the lower Derwent, passing the suburbs of Sandy Bay and Taroona before the spectacular four kilometre stretch along the Alum Cliffs (make sure you can breathe to the right!)
After passing the beaches of Kingston and Blackmans Bay, there are more great views for the next 8km along the hills of Tinderbox before the final 1.5km stretch across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and in to Bruny Island. The swim finishes at Jetty Beach near Dennes Point on Bruny Island.
The swim is typically timed to start near high tide to take advantage of the tidal flow. There can be opposing tidal forces as you cross the D'Entrecasteaux Channel towards Bruny, which may result in the swimmer being swept past Jetty Beach. In this event, the swim is likely to finish close to Dennes Point Boat Ramp on nearby Nebraska Beach.
See map below or click here to view in Maps.
What you should know
Swims will typically start a little before high tide, aiming to be at the Tasman Bridge around high tide to get the maximum tidal outflow to assist the swimmer.
While this is the Derwent River, the swim is in the lower parts of the estuary and therefore salt water.
The water temperature in December will be around 15C, around 16-17C in January and March, and likely to reach 18C in February.
During the summer months, winds tend to pick up from mid-morning, either from the south-west or south-east, so be prepared to head into these for the latter part of the swim.
Before you go
Pilots must notify MAST of the planned swim route at least 48 hours in advance due to restrictions on swimming at the Tasman Bridge.
Your pilot will typically meet you at one of the marinas or boat ramps close to the city (e.g. Rosny boat ramp, Prince of Wales marina, Regatta Grounds boat ramp). From there, you will have a boat trip to the Bowen Bridge where you will jump in to start the swim.
Your pilot may take you back to the pick-up point or can drop you at nearby Tinderbox boat ramp if your shore support team wants to greet you there.
Honour Roll
Swim # | Name | Date | Time | Country | Route | Category | Type | Notes | Ratified By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jonathan Wall | 17/01/2023 | 8:24:13 | Australia | Bowen-Bruny | Unassisted | Solo | First recorded swim | ALDSF |
2 | Anton Ilchenko | 06/02/2025 | 7:23:20 | Australia | Bowen-Bruny | Unassisted | Solo | Fastest male | ALDSF |
3 | Miu Tanaka | 13/02/2026 | 9:58:50 | Japan | Bowen-Bruny | Unassisted | Solo | First female | DRBS |
4 | Helen Conway | 28/02/2026 | 8:18:59 | Australia | Bowen-Bruny | Unassisted | Solo | Fastest female | DRBS |