Flinders Island is an island in the Bass Strait between the island of Tasmania and Victoria. It is the largest of the 78 islands in the Furneaux Group Of Islands. It is one of two Bass Strait islands (the other being King Island) that are open for everyday tourism, with scheduled air connections to the mainland.
Towns
[edit]There are three main settlements on the island. There are also a few more smaller settlements but are so small, even for Tasmanian standards, to be called a township.
- 1 Killiecrankie
– perched at the island's northern edge - 2 Lady Barron – the southerly settlement that's reasonably sized
- 3 Whitemark – the island's largest town with a population of 301
Other destinations
[edit]- Strzelecki National Park – a Tasmanian national park that contains some impressive granite peaks
Get in
[edit]
By plane
[edit]- Sharp Airlines fly at least daily connecting Flinders Island to Launceston and Essendon in Melbourne. Essendon is a smaller airport in the north of Melbourne, so allow sufficient time if connecting from Tullamarine Airport.
If you are travelling in a group, then private charter may work out cheaper and more flexible.
By ship
[edit]- Bass Strait Freight operates a service from Bridport to Lady Barron Port, Flinders Island. This takes around 8 hours and as of May 2021, it costs $80 one way, or $130 return. It occurs at least once a week, normally leaving Bridport on a Monday and returning on Tuesday. A schedule is on the website, but times can be changed at short notice. It is possible to transport cars (starting at $315), motorbikes ($95), bicycles $25), and general freight. Contact details for booking are on the website.
Get around
[edit]The B85 road runs from Palana Beach in the north to Lady Barron in the south, and will take you most places.
See
[edit]
- 1 Furneaux Museum, 8 Fowlers Rd, Emita, ☏ +61 3 6359 8434. May 1–December 24: Sa Su 11AM–3PM; December 26–April 30: 1-5PM (closed Good Friday and Christmas). A museum that explains in-depth some of the earliest European history in Australia including shipwrecks. Who knew that the Bass Strait was popular with sealers?
- 2 Strzelecki National Park (in the southwest of the island; use C806 from Lady Barron Road (B85)). A Tasmanian national park that consists of incredible granite peaks (including the island's highest) that can be seen from the Tasmanian mainland, impressive white beaches (though it doesn't quite compare with Cape Le Grand), and some rather calm waters for snorkelling.
- 3 Wybalenna Chapel, Port Davies Rd, Emita. A former church established when Wybalenna was an Aboriginal settlement used by the British to "Christianise" Tasmania's Indigenous population but radically failed, despite attempts of restoration. Today, it sits as an important site for Indigenous Tasmanians and the only remnant of the ill-fated Indigenous settlement.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 The Flinders Wharf, 16 Esplanade, Whitemark, ☏ +61 474 889 236.
- 2 Cate Cooks, 3 Walker St, Whitemark, ☏ +61 412 626 992.
- 3 Flinders Island Bakery, 7 Lagoon Rd, Whitemark, ☏ +61 3 6359 2105. M–F 8AM–4PM.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Flinders Island Cabin Park, 1 Bluff Rd, Whitemark, ☏ +61 3 6359 2188 (landline), +61 427 592 188 (mobile), [email protected].
- 2 Flinders Island Tourist Lodge, Bluff House, 24 Bluff Rd, Whitemark, ☏ +61 427 592 034.
- 3 Trousers Point Campground, Trousers Point Rd, Loccota (in Strezelecki National Park). The only campground in Strzelecki National Park found on the turquoise Trousers Point in the island's southwest. This campground is one of the few Tasmanian locations where you can see impressive low-elevation mountains and a turquoise cresent-shaped beach from the same location. No bookings required. Free; Tasmanian parks pass required.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]Your next destination will likely be back to the Tasmanian mainland. Kent Group National Park is only for the truly adventurous.
| END (Palana) ← | N B85 SW | →  → Bridport
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