Tasmania's islands are well worth making time to visit and King Island in the north west and Flinders Island in the north east are both easily accessed with short flights from Burnie or Devonport for King and Launceston for Flinders. King Island is renowned for its secluded beaches, clean air and amazing produce including seafood, beef, cheeses and cream and enjoys a relaxed atmosphere. The Island is also home to a variety of wildlife, some inhabiting the shipwrecks and scuba reefs. Flinders Island offers dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and is best explored diving, snorkelling, swimming and bushwalking.
Things to do on King Island
- Practise your swing at the scenic seaside golf course, the challenging Currie's.
- Drive to the northern tip of the island and enjoy amazing views from the Cape Wickham lighthouse.
- Visit the internationally significant Lavinia Nature Reserve and its wetland bird habitat.
- Snorkel or scuba dive famous shipwrecks including where the Cataraqui ran aground in 1845.
- Go horseriding along the secluded beaches or strong along the shore.
- Browse local kelp crafts, ceramics and paintings in a number of shops and galleries.
- Charter boats from Grassy or Currie for fantastic fishing opportunities.
- Take in the penguins at Grassy who come ashore on the breakwater to their rookeries.
- Visit the calcified forest and historic sealers wall at Stokes Point.
- Enjoy a coffee at the Boathouse on Currie Harbour and be charmed by the 'honesty box'.
- Sample and purchase the famous cheeses at the King Island Dairies Fromagerie.
Things to do on Flinders Island
- Explore the shipwrecks accompanied by qualified divers or enjoy a boat cruise from Lady Barron.
- Try your luck at game, rock, surf or beach fishing.
- Join one of the special interest historical, sightseeing, photography, bird watching, flora/fauna 4WD tours.
- Shearwaters offers amazing bird watching where thousands of birds migrate to the Arctic Circle annually.
- Visit Killiecrankie and fossick for diamonds with panning gear available for hire.
- Watch sunsets over Bass Strait and rises over the Tasman Sea with panoramic views from Walkers Lookout, near Whitemark.
- Discover the ancient local Aboriginal history at the Wybalenna Historic Site (5km from Emita) and the Museum at Emita (18km from Whitemark).
- Follow the self-guided Flinders Island Drive Trail exploring the birdlife, wildlife and natural areas.
- Visit the various local knitwear and quality wool sellers as well as studios and galleries featuring felt products, pottery, paintings and even handmade chocolates.
