King Island, TASDiscover gourmet produce and gripping maritime history
Grab a picnic hamper and get ready to say cheese - King Island is a place of splendid isolation, shipwrecks and culinary indulgence. King Island, approximately 65km long and 25km at its widest point, is located in Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania. The island is famous for gourmet dairy products and beef, but also for its formerly treacherous coast, which has seen a devastating amount of shipwrecks on its rocky shores. You can reach the island by air from Tasmania or the mainland, and it's easy to hire a car. There's a great sense of seclusion here - you can wander along the island's long, empty beaches or explore its rugged coastline. There are plenty of good fishing spots and experienced surfers can tackle the challenging waves. King Island's fascinating maritime history comes to life along the Shipwrecks and Safe Havens Trail, where a series of memorials tell the tales of those who came to grief on the stormy seas of Bass Strait, the brave rescues, and the efforts of the lighthouse keepers to make the waters safe. The infamous Roaring Forties gales are reputed to have caused around 57 shipwrecks along the island's coastline during the 1800s. As you follow the Shipwreck Trail, stop off at Cape Wickham Lighthouse on the northern tip of the island. As the tallest lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere, it's an imposing sight, but also a poignant reminder of the lonely lives of the lighthouse keepers. When someone mentions King Island, chances are the first thing that springs to mind is King Island cream. That's because the island has gained an amazing reputation for its dairy products. You'll find King Island butters, cheeses and creams (especially clotted cream) in trendy delicatessens on the mainland and overseas, and the King Island brand is now synonymous with dairy quality. Drop in to the King Island Dairy from Sunday to Friday and sample some of the 25 varieties of cheese in the tasting room. Sink your teeth into a creamy brie or a biting cheddar, wow your tastebuds with the creams and yoghurts - the only challenge you'll have is deciding which ones to take home. The fertile, windswept pastures of the island have also given rise to a stellar beef industry - you'll find plenty to try on local menus. But don't forget to sample the region's excellent crayfish, oysters and abalone too. The kelp industry is also big business here. Bull kelp is tossed onto the shores by the regions wild winds and then farmed, dried and exported. Local producers have even come up with a range of unique kelp-based products, including hot and spicy kelp sauce, kelp pickles and kelp lemon spread. On the island there is a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, from hotels and apartments to cottages and guesthouses. You'll find most accommodation in the main centres of Currie and Grassy. The windswept coastline is a highlight of King Island. Swim at one of the long, deserted beaches or scuba dive among the accessible shipwrecks - you'll see a wide variety of marine life. A large percentage of the island is native bush - expect to see wallabies, echidnas and peacocks at dusk. You'll spot shearwater rookeries along the coastal hillsides and now and then you'll see albatrosses and sea eagles catching a lazy ride on the updraughts. Reid Rocks, just 12km offshore, is home to a major breeding colony of Australian fur seals. Another surprise is the friendliness of the locals here. Stop for a chat at Currie’s pub, or linger awhile at Grassy's local store and craft shop. Everywhere you go, the message is the same - this is a place of simple pleasures. Photos from Tasmania
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