A quick flight or ferry ride from Melbourne will have you disembarking on King Island – a naturally beautiful agricultural island renowned for its fresh local produce, golf, lighthouses and restaurant with no food.
Beautiful King Island is a bucket list destination for golfers, drawn to the three world-class courses all within an hours drive of one another. In fact, in 2024, King Island’s Cape Wickham Links became the second golf course in history to knock the Royal Melbourne Golf Club from its top spot in Australian Golf Digest’s list of Australia’s best 100 courses.
For lovers of natural history and geography, the island’s ‘calcified forest’ is a must-see. This 7,000-year- old spectacle formed when calcium carbonate mixed with the deep-rooted vegetation, resulting in hundreds of oddly shaped limestone remains dotted across the landscape. The gentle 1.3-kilometre loop walk takes through stunning beachside bushland and out on to a wooden viewing platform above the beach in the middle of this ancient ‘forest’
Another world-renowned attraction, the Cape Wickham Lighthouse is the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere. Made from locally quarried stone, it stands an impressive 48 metres tall and holds over 160 years of history. Located on the north end of the island, visitors can enjoy impressive views of the ocean and take in a beautiful sunset.
King Island Walks is a tour company offering a range of walks showcasing the island’s natural wonders. On the Platypus Experience, led by a friendly guide, you will leave just after dawn or before dusk in search of these elusive creatures. Learn all about these native icons, and enjoy the island’s coastal beauty as you trek to a serene location that only a local would find. For another animal encounter, head down to Grassy Harbour just before dusk to watch a colony of Little Penguins (aka fairy penguins) coming in from the ocean.
Of course, no trip to King Island would be complete without a bit of fishing. King Island’s seafood is world renowned, and it’s not hard to see why when you sample some of the delicious produce on offer here. There are plenty of places to cast your rod, including beaches, jetties and boats. From boat, you can expect to catch King George Whiting, bluespotted flathead, barracouta, and the popular King Island rock lobster.
If you don’t have any luck, simply order some seafood in town and enjoy!
To read about the best places to eat and drink on King Island, click here.
Featured images: Ocean Dunes Golf Course © Dearna Bond
