Holiday houses in Flinders Island

Flinders Island is a ruggedly beautiful island in the Bass Strait, off the northeast coast of Tasmania. The largest of the Furneaux Group of islands, it features rolling green farmland, pristine beaches, granite mountain ranges, and some plants and animals not found anywhere else on the planet. As well as pristine scenery at every turn, this unique destination offers plenty of things to do year round — including diamond fossicking, hiking, golf, and fishing.

The local museum provides an insight into the island’s early history and inhabitants, and there’s also an abundance of great quality produce, including seafood, fruit, vegetables, wines, and local meat. Originally called Great Island, the island was renamed Flinders Island in the early 1800s, after the English sea captain Matthew Flinders, who chartered most of the nearby waters. Today, there’s a range of Flinders Island accommodations on offer and a world of natural wonders to explore.

Flinders Island has a relatively mild climate, protected from extreme temperatures, and is thus an ideal place to visit all year round. Spring is a beautiful time to stay, with budding flowers and the arrival of new wildlife. From September to December, the days are warmer and the nights are relatively cool. During the peak of summer, average daily temperatures usually hover quite high, and in winter, they tend to drop quite low — so pack your woollies. There are also several events held throughout the year that attract both locals and visitors, including the Flinders Island Running Festival, which takes place in September and the Flinders Island Quick Shear in December. Every October, the island also hosts a large agricultural show, the Flinders Island Show, which attracts visitors from around the world and marks a public holiday on the island.

Strzelecki National Park

If you really want to experience all of the beauty that Flinders Island has to offer, you can’t beat a hike up the island’s highest point, Strzelecki Peaks, which sits at 756 metres above sea level. The walk takes around four to five hours and is recommended for experienced bushwalkers as it’s quite a steep climb. But the view from the granite peaks at the top are well worth the effort. There are also several easier walks for less experienced hikers.

Go fossicking

Flinders Island is home to a topaz known as the Killiecrankie diamond, and it’s possible to hire the equipment you need and go fossicking in the waterways near Whitemark. The Killiecrankie diamond comes in several colours, and you may be lucky enough to find one in clear, ice blue or even pink gold.

Furneaux Museum

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of this beautiful part of the world, the Furneaux Museum at Emita provides some fascinating insights into the early history of the islands and its inhabitants. This museum includes historic and replica buildings, which contain information and artefacts from all over the region.