MELBOURNE TO KING ISLAND

Welcome to our fabulous holiday to King Island and Flinders Island. With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport. Here we’ll be greeted by an O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours representative who will assist us with check in and see us onto the plane for our direct flight to King Island. King Island lies off the north-west coast of Tasmania, surrounded by a rugged coastline with famously good produce and some of the cleanest air in the world. After we land, our friendly local guide will meet us and take us on a tour of the main township, Currie. We visit the museum in the former lightkeeper’s cottage, run by the King Island Historical Society. The collection offers a fascinating look into the island’s rich history, including the original lens from the Cape Wickham Lighthouse. Afternoon tea is

served at the quirky and interesting little boathouse on the shores of Currie Harbour, known as the ‘Restaurant Without Food’. Next stop is the iconic King Island Kelp Industries, to learn more about one of the island’s important industries that processes bull kelp (a type of large, fast growing brown seaweed). Later in the afternoon, stop at King Island Dairy to sample some the delicious cheeses. With a legacy spanning more than 100 years, King Island Dairy has developed an enviable reputation as a maker of some of the world’s finest produce. We then make our way to our accommodation, where we’ll be warmly welcomed by the manager, Julie. This evening, one of King Island’s best chefs will prepare our welcome dinner in-house tonight.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments on flight

OVERNIGHT: Island Breeze Resort, Currie, KING ISLAND

REEKARA, MARTHA LAVINIA, CAPE WICKHAM

Today, our touring takes us to the northern end of the island. We stop at the Shag Lagoon

Bird Hide to view some of the water fowl, before continuing to Reekara School, which closed at the end of 1997. The school now houses local craft as well as classrooms showing past students’ artwork. We have plenty of time to look around as well as enjoying our morning tea break. Next we drive to Quarantine Bay then cross to the eastern side of the island where we visit Martha Lavinia Beach, a world class beach break which has been voted one of the Top 10 Surf Breaks in Australia. We also see the mouth of Yellow Rock River, the wreck site of the

Shannon to hear Captain Johnson’s unfortunate story. Our lunch break is at Penny’s Lagoon, a rare freshwater perched lake found in only three locations in the world. We continue to the most northern point of King Island to view the Cape Wickham Lighthouse, the tallest granite lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere which overlooks one of Australia’s top ranking golf courses. Back in Currie, we have time to freshen up before dinner at a local restaurant.

OVERNIGHT: Island Breeze Resort, Currie, KING ISLAND

NARACOOPA, CALCIFIED FOREST, GRASSY

Our journey today takes us to the east coast where we visit Sea Elephant River, one of the

island's largest river systems and a major link to the Lavinia wetlands. We return to the

farming region of Naracoopa for a brief stop to look at the jetty. We now head to the

southern end of the island and the Calcified Forest, enjoying a leisurely stroll that takes us to a viewing platform overlooking intriguing fossilised stumps of ancient rainforest trees. At Seal Rocks Lookout, we discover one of King Island’s most dramatic parts of the coast, used by Dutch and French sealers to spot pods of seals. Learn about farming life on the Island with a visit to Raff's Farm where they will share how they combine extensive farming experience with technology to produce high quality Angus Beef. Be sure to bring your camera! Last stop today is Grassy where we discover the scheelite mining heritage of King Island’s Dolphin Mine. We also view the Grassy Harbour which serves the island with the necessities of life—groceries, fuel and agricultural needs such as fertilisers and stock feed. Enjoy dinner at a local

restaurant before viewing the local little penguin colony from the comfort of our coach. On dusk the penguins waddle out of the water to return to their burrows.

OVERNIGHT: Island Breeze Resort, Currie, KING ISLAND

FLIGHT TO TASMANIA - PENGUIN & DEVONPORT

After breakfast, we bid a warm farewell to our gracious host, Julie. We then make our way to

King Island Airport for our scenic flight across Bass Strait to Wynyard (Burnie) Airport on the

Tasmanian Northwest Coast. Here, we’ll be warmly welcomed by our Tasmanian driver. Our journey begins in the charming coastal town of Wynyard. From here, we continue along the breathtaking coastal route via the picturesque town of Penguin. Enjoy a wander along the main street to view the quirky penguin artefacts and have a photo with the "Big Penguin". We then enjoy lunch at a local family-owned vineyard before an early check-in to our accommodation in the city of Devonport overlooking the Mersey River. Enjoy time to relax, take a walk along the foreshore or do some shopping. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

OVERNIGHT: Novotel Devonport, DEVONPORT

FLIGHT FROM LAUNCESTON TO FLINDERS ISLAND

Leaving Devonport, we drive past fertile farmland and historic villages, stopping to sample chocolates, cheese and raspberries before reaching Launceston Airport. Fly over the many islands of the Furneaux Group to Flinders Island. Here we will discover an inspiring world of sparkling beaches, rugged ranges, abundant wildlife and flora, and clear sapphire waters. On arrival, we will be met by our tour operator and taken to our accommodation.

OVERNIGHT:  Furneaux Tavern, Lady Barron, FLINDERS ISLAND

CASTLE ROCK, KILLIECRANKIE BAY, WYBALENNA

Today we explore the northern end of the island and pause at the photogenic Castle Rock. Enjoy morning tea at North East River, which is a favourite spot for local fishermen, before touring to Palana, site of coastal surveillance at the start of World War II. Stroll along beautiful Killiecrankie Bay keeping an eye out for the famous Killiecrankie diamonds. After lunch, we visit the small but interesting Furneaux Museum which contains a wonderful collection of records and exhibits of the island’s natural history, maritime heritage and island lifestyle. Our last visit for the day is at Wybalenna, a small settlement established in 1833-1847 to house Tasmanian Aboriginal people brought to Flinders Island by George Robinson. Today, the only remaining building is the red brick chapel which has been restored by the National Trust and is of national heritage significance.

OVERNIGHT:  Furneaux Tavern, Lady Barron, FLINDERS ISLAND

TROUSERS POINT, MT STRZELECKI, CAMERON INLET

This morning, we follow the coast road to Fotheringate Bay where we will have a chance to explore the beaches and have morning tea. Stop at the beautiful Trousers Point with Mt. Strzelecki’s towering granite crags forming a backdrop to the pristine half-moon beach. Have your cameras ready for this famous, photogenic area. After lunch, we visit Walkers Lookout which provides extensive views over the island. Drive past Cameron Inlet, breeding ground for black swans and many species of duck before finishing the day exploring the town of Lady Barron.

OVERNIGHT:  Furneaux Tavern, Lady Barron, FLINDERS ISLAND

HEADING HOME

For our last morning on Flinders Island, we will spend time in the main town of Whitemark.

Have a look around the town; enjoy a coffee at the local café, or visit the local shops to

discover a hidden gem before an early lunch. Late morning, we return to the Flinders Island

Airport for our flight home. Upon arrival at Essendon Airport, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us home with many interesting stories to tell of our beautiful Islands adventure.