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A complete travel guide to visiting King Island in Tasmania.
Growing up on King Island gave me remarkable insight into this charmingly unique place. Even better, working for almost five years at the King Island Airport Cafe allowed me to understand just how special it is. It was during this time that I realised that we as an island lacked a sort of FAQ page. The number of people who would arrive asking for a taxi or why their phone did not work was astounding. Additionally, most people found it hard to see all the best places to visit, and as much as I could tell them till I was blue in the face, they would forget once they drove out. With all this in mind, I decided to write it down myself.
It began with a rant at dinner and my ten (or more) things that people needed to know before coming to King Island. Obviously, way too many travellers did not know some pretty important things. Moreover, it was usually too late to tell them once they got here. After much debate, I worked through the essential things people needed to know. The family went over it, and then finally, I published it on our local community Facebook page for more suggestions and comments. We added a few more details, and I opened it publically to the web and published it on multiple travel pages on Facebook.
The ‘success’, if you could call it that, drove me to publish two more guides on King Island, the must-see things and must-do things. The same process was applied, but having three separate posts proved difficult. Moreover, it was getting tiresome replying to people who did not realise that the information was spread across three different texts. Therefore, I have decided to write a complete travel guide to King Island! All the information you could need for your trip to King Island, Tasmania, is here!
How to get to King Island.
Unlike the other Bass Strait Island, Flinders Island, there is no passenger ferry to get to King Island. The only way to get here is to fly! Of course, if you have your own boat, that is a different story, but the only regular transport to King Island is by aeroplane. There are three main RPT (regular public transport) companies: Sharp Airlines, Regional Express (REX) and King Island Air. Further, there are also charter companies, which I will list later.
RPT from Tasmania:
Sharp Airlines – flights from Hobart, Launceston and Burnie (Wynyard) airports.
Regional Express (REX) – flights from Burnie (Wynyard) airport.
RPT from Victoria:
Sharp Airlines – flights from Essendon Airport.
Regional Express (REX) – Flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Aiport.
King Island Air – Flights from Moorabbin Airport.
Charter companies:
Further, a few charter companies are available that fly to the island. Hiring a charter is an excellent choice if you fly with a large group of people. Depending on where you are flying from, it can be a bit pricey to get to King Island. The companies include:
- Vortex Air
- Air Adventure
- Southern Airlines
- King Island Surf Charters
- Australian Air Surfaris
- Short Stop Charters
- Southern Golf Getaways
Stay the night, or a few, on King Island.
While there is limited accommodation, it is by no means underwhelming. There is a place to meet all your needs. Choose from a range of accommodation styles, including award-winning retreats. From self-contained to bed & breakfast, you cannot complain about lack of choice.
For the indulgent traveller, I have listed a few great choices below. All the accommodations on King Island are lovely in their own way, but these will take your trip to the next level. You will find a brief description of each below and the booking website.
Kittawa Lodge
This award-winning luxury boutique accommodation offers an unparalleled experience on King Island. Perfect for a couple, as the two lodges contain only one bedroom. Choose from six different packages to tailor the experience to your needs. To learn more, click here.
Taraki Lodge
With room to fit four couples or eight people in total, this lodge brings luxury to larger group stays. A Sauna and hot tub await you, with magnificent views over the ocean. If you are looking for a longer-term stay in luxury, this needs to be on your list. To find out more, follow the link here!
Netherby Rocks
Situated just a two-minute drive from the Main Street, this accommodation offers you the best of both worlds; the rugged cost outlook and the closeness to the town. With five bedrooms that lookout on the Southern Ocean, you can’t beat these views for a large group. To book or to find out more, click here.
How to get around King Island.
As stated in things you much know before coming to King Island, there is no public transport or taxi service. Unless you have a vehicle or know a local, hiring a car is best. You have control then of your trip, and it ensures you can explore the richness of King Island. Book with Adam and Anna at the King Island Car Hire, and choose the vehicle to best fit your needs.
Five things to know before going to King Island.
1. The local’s wave! When driving, you will see other drivers wave at you, usually just with one finger, but still a wave. This is a unique niche that you may find in remote communities.
2. The weather is unpredictable. This is very important to know. Do not just trust the weather app! Make sure you pack clothes for all four seasons, as the roaring forties can bring them all in one day!
3. Telstra is the only network! You will not get any reception here if you are Optus or similar. Unless you are looking for a ‘switched off’ holiday, you need to know this one. It may be worth buying a pre-paid Telstra sim for your stay.
4. Shop times. Do not miss out on groceries. Make sure you get to the shops before 6 pm! IGA and Foodworks are located on Main Street in Currie. Additionally, Grassy has a small store available.
5. Book your restaurants! There are not many restaurants on King Island, so make sure you book! Additionally, most of them are closed Monday and Tuesday.
To continue reading the must-know things for King Island:
Top 5 things to do on King Island.
1. Visit the world-renowned King Island Dairy. Relax at a fabulous cheese tasting at the factory before choosing your favourite cheeses to take home! This cannot be missed; you have not experienced King Island without experiencing the cheese!
2. Take a breath at one of the stunning beaches. The beaches here are spectacular. Perfect for a walk, swimming, surfing or fishing. Further, you will usually have the whole beach to yourself!
3. Taste the Island. Visit the Brewhouse and the Distillery while you are here. The Brewhouse is a world away from the busy city of Currie, nestled in between farmland about 20 minutes drive. The perfect way to spend an afternoon. The King Island Distillery can be found no 2 minutes drive from town on Racecourse Road. Make sure to stop in for a tasting!
4. Watch the local sports. There are three main local sports on King Island. These are AFL football and netball in winter and horse racing in summer! You can also catch some locals surfing at our famous beach Martha Lavinia.
5. Indulge at Oleada. This small, family-owned and operated restaurant is the perfect place to finish your day. Showcasing as much local produce as possible, you will not find a better meal than this. Be sure to book, as they are usually booked out a week in advance! But do not fear if they are, you can get takeaway too!
To continue reading the must-do things on King Island:
Top 5 must-see things on King Island.
1. Check out the tallest lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere! King Island is not only home to award-winning produce; it is also home to the Cape Wickham Lighthouse, the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. Established in 1861, it is the perfect backdrop for some memorable photos.
2. Feel the might of the Roaring Forties at Seal Rocks. Seal Rocks State Reserve is where you can view the strength and power of the Roaring Forties. The jagged cliffs are magnificent to view in all types of weather; just be prepared for the wind!
3. Explore the East Coast from above at the Narracoopa lookout. The lookout is the best view of Sea Elephant Bay and the Jetty, so do not drive past it! Be sure to then take a quick stroll out onto the jetty to get a spectacular view back across the Bay.
4. The restaurant with no food. Why not indulge yourself with a BBQ, platter or takeaway at the restaurant with no food. This small and distinctive Boat House on the foreshore of the Currie Harbour is the ideal place for group functions or dinners.
5. Travel south to the Cataraqui Monument and mass grave. Explore King Island’s tragic history of shipwrecks, including the Cataraqui, the worst civil maritime disaster with 399 deaths.
To continue reading the must-see things on King Island:
If you are looking for your next holiday destination, then you can stop looking. King Island offers everything you want and so much more. From its world-famous produce to the surf break, to the community, this place will never let you down. Unwind and breathe in the cleanest air in the world on the beautiful King Island.
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