King Island

We recently holidayed at King Island situated in Bass Strait not far from mainland Tasmania and about 35 minutes flying time south of Melbourne. The island’s history began with maritime explorers, and its first settlers were sealers who were almost responsible for their extinction. The waters of Bass Strait are particularly treacherous and have clamed hundreds of ships and lives lost. The island has sustained more losses than the entire Australian coastline.

Soldier settlement land schemes were set up on the island after the two world wars. Farmers prospered from a regular annual rainfall which supported green pastures ideal for sheep, beef and dairy cows from whose milk I can attest the cheeses are simply stupendous. The Island today has a population of 1700 and has many unique sights and points of interest. It main industries are agriculture, fishing and processing giant kelp which is exported around the world. The kelp is unique to the waters off the Island and is also suitable for crafted ornaments after treatment.

Above are pictures of some unexpected thick pockets of foliage, the giant kelp and the ragged and rocky shoreline.