King Island Transport
Boasting some of the cleanest air in the world, King Island lies in Bass Strait between the northwest coast of Tasmania and the Australian mainland. It’s famed for its world-class cheese and crayfish, as well as being home to two stunning golf courses overlooking its rugged coastline.
Small towns and settlements pepper the island, including the administrative hub of Currie with its 19th-century lighthouse, scenic harbour and cultural museum. The east coast is home to picturesque Naracoopa and the main port of Grassy, which is renowned for its scuba diving, fishing and penguin rookery.
On the northeast coast of King Island, you’ll discover what has been described as the best beach break in Australia, attracting surfers and kiteboarders from near and far. Also not to miss is Disappointment Bay, which (despite its name) is among the island’s most breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Golfers can take their pick from the 18-hole courses at Cape Wickham or Ocean Dunes, both of which are designed in the Scottish links tradition.
Walking trails wind through Lavinia State Reserve, an Important Bird Area that’s home to endangered orange-bellied parrots. King Island is also one of the best places in Australia to spot elusive platypus, among other native wildlife species.
Getting to King Island
No passenger ferries connect to King Island, so the only way to get there is to fly.
Rex Airlines has daily flights from Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport while Sharp Airlines departs from Essendon Airport twice a day. King Island Airlines also has twice-daily flights from Moorabbin Airport. If you’re coming from mainland Tasmania, you can fly to King Island from Hobart, Launceston or Burnie with Sharp Airlines.
Charter flights to King Island are also available with Air Adventure, Vortex, Kirkhope Aviation and Short Stop, who offer a range of different itineraries and air tours.
Getting around King Island
There is no public transport on King Island and most visitors opt to hire a car to get around. However, it is possible to explore the island by bicycle or on foot, keeping in mind that it is around 64 kilometres long and 25 kilometres wide.
Aside from rental cars, guided tours are the most popular way to see King Island and offer a local’s insight into its culture and history.
King Island Tours run 4WD coach experiences that can be tailored to your interests, whether it’s photography, birding or fishing. King Island Pleasure Tours is another locally run operation that travels coast to coast and includes a stop at the King Island Dairy for cheese tastings. The King Island Coach Company is run by a 5th generation King Islander, Matthew Archer, who provides private transfers, day and multi-day tours focusing on the island’s history, people and industries.
If you’re coming to surf, you can take advantage of King Island Surf Charters, which offers all-inclusive trips from Barwon Heads Airport in Victoria for small groups and individuals. Southern Golf Getaways is also based at Barwon Heads and runs golfing getaways to King Island and Barnbougle Dunes on Tassie’s north coast.
Taraki Lodge. Stu Gibson
Currie is King Island's largest town, set on a scenic harbour with amazing views of the vast Southern Ocean. located in a sheltered harbour on King Island's west coast, Currie has a history of shipwreck salvage, agriculture and fishing, with a sleepy seaside village atmosphere. Credit Stu Gibson
Ettrick Rocks located in one of the most spectacular locations on King Island offers a choice of three fully glazed luxury coastal retreats less than 50 metres from the shoreline. Every room showcases the dynamic activity of the great Southern Ocean, the wildlife and the magnificent rock formations unique to this location. Credit Stuart Gibson
If you ever have the chance to visit King Island, our cheese store is a must see destination. A true cheese lovers’ paradise, we have many cheeses from our award winning range available for tasting and purchase. Credit Stu Gibson
Wild Harvest Restaurant and Cooking School. Credit Stu Gibson
Abalone diving, King Island. Credit Stu Gibson
Sheep on the road in Grassy, King Island. Credit Stu Gibson
Martha Lavinia Beach, King Island. Credit Stu Gibson
Martha Lavinia Beach, King Island. Credit Stu Gibson
Martha Lavinia Beach, King Island. Credit Stu Gibson
Cattle on the road, Disappointment Bay. Credit Stu Gibson
Kittawa Lodge offers boutique luxury accommodation with panoramic views of King Island. Credit Adam Gibson
Tasmanian giant crab, King Island. Credit Adam Gibson
Currie wharf. Credit Adam Gibson
Cape Wickham; Australia’s spectacular new Golf Course on King Island, Tasmania. Credit Adam Gibson
Top image credit Andrew Wilson