Take the Strzelecki Peaks Track and you can walk your way into the impressive Strzelecki National Park on Flinders Island. Within the park, take in views from the island’s highest peak and wander along the island’s most impressive long, white beaches. For avid rock climbers, Mt Killiecrankie provides steep granite cliff faces.
Head to the Furneaux Museum where you can find out more about the island’s history. There are artefacts dating back to Aboriginal inhabitants, sealing and whaling displays as well as information on the mutton bird industry.
Spend your time relaxing or go fossicking to find your own Killiecrankie ‘diamond’ which is actually topaz, a semi-precious stone. Discover the island on your own or venture out on a game fishing charter, helmed by an experienced local.
Whitemark is the administrative centre for Flinders Island and overlooks Parrys Bay on the west coast. The historic Interstate Hotel, built in 1912, is one of the earliest buildings and you will find a good supermarket and bakery, petrol station, post office and other general services.
The island was first identified by Europeans when Tobias Furneaux, the commander of Captain Cook's support ship, became separated from the Endeavour in fog and discovered the Furneaux group of islands on 19 March 1773.
It's an island with a rich heritage, both sad and boisterous. The first Europeans were rough and ready sealers who hunted fur seals to near extinction. And the island's rocky shores and hidden reefs caused many a ship to flounder and sink.
At Wybalenna, 160 Aboriginal people, relocated from mainland Tasmania in 1833, longed for their homeland. By 1847 the settlement was abandoned and the 45 remaining people were returned to a settlement at Oyster Cove, south of Hobart.
You can fly to Flinders Island directly from Launceston, Tasmania or Essendon, Victoria.
For more local information please visit www.visitflindersisland.com.au.
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