Damon Mcknight
King Island is an island in Bass Strait, belonging to the Australian state of Tasmania. It is located about halfway between Victoria and Tasmania's northwest tip, and is accessible by air from Melbourne and Tasmania. The island is known for its agriculture and tourism, with a thriving industry in cheese, lobsters, bottled rainwater, kelp, and beef production. King Island is also a popular destination for golfers, with three top-class courses, including the renowned Cape Wickham Golf Links. The island has a rich history, with European discovery dating back to 1799, and offers a range of attractions for nature lovers, foodies, and those seeking a tranquil escape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | In the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania |
| Population | 1,617 people as of the 2021 census |
| Geography | About 60km long and 30km wide |
| Economy | Agriculture and tourism |
| Food | Cheese, lobsters, bottled rain water, kelp, crayfish and beef |
| Golf | Home to two of the best golf courses in the world |
| Nature | One of the best places to view platypus in the wild |
| Birdwatching | An Important Bird Area (IBA) for endangered orange-bellied parrots |
| History | First visited by Europeans in the late 18th century |
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What You'll Learn
King Island is located in the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania
King Island is a large island in the Bass Strait, between Victoria and Tasmania. It is known for its tranquil surroundings and adventurous activities, including surfing, kiteboarding, and diving, and golf. The island is easily accessible by air, with regular flights available from Melbourne airports and Tasmania. The island is home to the Huxley Hill Wind Farm and has a thriving agricultural sector, producing cheese, lobsters, bottled rainwater, kelp, and beef. It is also a popular tourist destination, offering luxurious accommodations, pristine beaches, and gourmet cuisine.
The island has a rich history, dating back to when it was first discovered by Europeans in the late 18th century. Captain Reed was the first European to set foot on King Island in 1799 while hunting seals. The island was originally part of a land bridge linking Tasmania with the Australian mainland, which was submerged around 12,000 years ago due to rising sea levels. A human skeleton discovered on the island in 1989 was dated to approximately 14,000 years ago, providing valuable insights into the area's ancient history.
King Island is a haven for nature lovers, with its diverse flora and fauna, endangered bird species, and the elusive platypus. It is also a golfer's paradise, boasting three top-class golf courses, including the renowned Cape Wickham Golf Links and Ocean Dunes Golf Course, ranked among Australia's top golf destinations. The island's rugged coastline and empty beaches offer a captivating contrast to its tranquil interior.
The island's largest settlement, Currie, is situated on the west coast and features a vibrant arts and cultural scene. Visitors can explore the King Island Historical Museum, showcasing the adventures of early pioneers and stories of shipwrecks. The island's culinary delights include its famous cheese, with the King Island Dairy offering award-winning varieties, and a plethora of eateries serving local specialties in Grassy, Currie, and Naracoopa.
King Island is more than just a destination; it's an experience. With its pristine natural surroundings, mouth-watering cuisine, and rich cultural offerings, it leaves a lasting impression on all who visit, providing a unique blend of tranquility and adventure in the heart of Bass Strait, nestled between Victoria and Tasmania.
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It is known for its cheese, beef, and crayfish
King Island is an island in Bass Strait, belonging to the Australian state of Tasmania. It is known for its cheese, beef, and crayfish, as well as its bottled rainwater, kelp, and lobsters. The island has a rich history, with Captain Reed being the first known European to discover it in 1799 while hunting seals.
The island's cheese is renowned, with King Island Dairy being the largest company on the island. They produce a range of cheeses that are known for their high quality and unique flavour. The dairy industry on the island is an important part of its economy, along with agriculture and tourism.
King Island Beef is sourced from grass-fed cattle raised without the use of hormones, antibiotics, or GMOs. The farmers on the island are dedicated to producing the finest beef, and their genetics and husbandry play a critical role in the quality of the meat. The beef industry on the island faced a setback in 2012 with the closure of the island's only abattoir, but it has since recovered and continues to be a notable product of King Island.
Crayfish, or rock lobster, is another delicacy that King Island is known for. The local crayfishing industry employs a significant percentage of the island's population and brings in approximately $20 million to the community yearly. The crayfish are known for their size and quality, and the industry is carefully managed with a quota system and seasonal closures to ensure sustainability.
In addition to its culinary delights, King Island also offers a range of attractions for tourists, including the Huxley Hill Wind Farm and the Cape Wickham Lighthouse, which was finished in 1861 and officially opened in 2011. The island is also home to a variety of bird life, including the critically endangered orange-bellied parrots, making it an Important Bird Area as recognised by BirdLife International.
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The island has three golf courses
King Island is located in the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania's North West coast. It is the largest of four islands known as the New Year Group and the second-largest island in Bass Strait after Flinders Island. The island has a population of 1,617 people as of the 2021 census, up from 1,585 in 2016.
The island is known for its agriculture and tourism, with the latter including activities such as surfing, kiteboarding, and diving, and golf. In fact, King Island has three golf courses that have attracted golfers from all over the world. Two of these courses, Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes, are 18-hole links courses ranked among the best in Australia and even the world. They are designed in the Scottish links tradition and offer breathtaking views of the ocean and rolling dunes. The third golf course is a 9-hole local course found in the heart of Currie, the island's largest permanent settlement.
Cape Wickham Golf Links, located on the north-eastern tip of King Island, provides an ocean view from every hole. It also offers on-site villa accommodation and clubhouse cuisine featuring local produce from the island. David Jones, aka 'UK Golf Guy', describes it as "one of the very best golf courses built in the last 50 years anywhere on the planet".
Ocean Dunes Golf Course, situated on the majestic west coast of King Island, is another must-visit destination for golfers. The course is surrounded by beautiful rolling dunes and offers a unique, pristine, and natural golfing experience. It was ranked 4th on the list of Australia's Best Public Golf Courses by Golf Digest in 2024.
With its three world-class golf courses, King Island is a golfer's paradise, offering a combination of stunning scenery, challenging holes, and the raw natural beauty of the island.
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It is one of the best places to view platypus in the wild
King Island is an island in the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania, Australia. It is known for its agriculture and tourism, with a variety of attractions for visitors. These include its golf courses, local arts and crafts, and its fresh produce and seafood.
King Island is also one of the best places in the world to see platypuses in the wild. Platypuses are one of Australia's most challenging creatures to spot, but King Island offers a unique opportunity to observe these fascinating animals in their natural habitat. The island is home to a population of platypuses, which have been isolated from the mainland for thousands of years. This isolation has resulted in some physical differences, with King Island platypuses being smaller than those found in Tasmania and Victoria.
One of the best ways to spot platypuses on King Island is through the KI Rambles tour. This tour involves an early morning start and a steep bush hike, but it leads to a quiet river location where you can see platypuses bobbing to the surface. It is an incredible experience to witness these elusive creatures in their natural environment. The tour is guided by Ondrea, who is knowledgeable and informative, enhancing the experience with insights about the platypuses and their behaviour.
The platypus is a unique species endemic to Australia. They are semi-aquatic mammals, spending most of their time in the water or their burrows. Platypuses are dependent on freshwater systems and can be found in rivers, streams, lakes, and other bodies of freshwater. They are largely solitary creatures, but several individuals may share the same body of water. King Island provides an ideal habitat for platypuses, and the opportunity to observe them in the wild is a significant drawcard for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a unique Australian wildlife experience.
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The Cape Wickham Lighthouse is Australia's tallest lighthouse
King Island is an island in the Bass Strait, belonging to the Australian state of Tasmania. It is known for its cheese, lobsters, bottled rain water, kelp, and beef, as well as its golf courses and surfing spots. The island is also a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts, who visit to see the local flora and fauna, including endangered orange-bellied parrots.
The Cape Wickham Lighthouse is located at the northernmost tip of King Island, marking the southern end of the "Eye of the Needle," a dangerous narrow western entrance that ships had to navigate to get into Bass Strait and Melbourne. The lighthouse was built in response to several shipwrecks in the area, including the Neva in 1835 and the Cataraqui in 1845, which was Australia's worst maritime disaster, claiming 402 lives.
Standing at 48 metres (157 ft) tall, the Cape Wickham Lighthouse is Australia's tallest lighthouse. It is constructed of local stone with walls 3.4 metres thick at the base and features eleven timber flights of stairs, each with twenty steps. The lighthouse was first lit on November 1, 1861, but was only officially opened in November 2011 during a community celebration of its 150th anniversary.
The Cape Wickham Lighthouse is a striking structure, described as majestic and impressive, overseeing a spectacular coastline. It is a popular destination for visitors to King Island, who can enjoy the surrounding beauty, wildlife, and nearby golf courses. The lighthouse also holds a place in Australia's maritime history, serving as a beacon of light for seafarers and a refuge for survivors of shipwrecks.
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Frequently asked questions
King Island is located in the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania. It is about 80 km off the north-western tip of Tasmania and is the largest of the four islands known as the New Year Group.
You can easily access King Island by air from Melbourne airports and Tasmania. Airlines such as Sharp Airlines, Regional Express (REX), and King Island Airlines offer flights to the island.
King Island offers a range of activities for visitors, including golf, surfing, kiteboarding, and diving, hiking, and wildlife watching. The island is known for its cheese, beef, and other local produce, and has several eateries serving these specialties. It is also a great place to view platypuses in the wild.
