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Ready to kick the pace down a notch? A typical day on this island paradise couldn’t feel further from the rat race.

Whether you’re into golf, surfing, crayfish, abalone, whisky or beef, it’s a well-kept secret that King Island not only has these things in spades – it offers some of the best in the world.

A woman sits on a rocky beach holding a hot drink, next to a small campfire. The sunset casts an orange-yellow glow over the scattered clouds in the sky.

How you spend your ideal day (or several days) on King Island is entirely up to you. But if you want some inspiration to get started, ask the local legends of the isle. They're just as breezy as the Bass Strait.

Heidi Weitjens, King Island Distillery

She’s known among the locals as “Happy Heidi” for a reason. When she’s not crafting silky spirits and chatting away with guests at King Island Distillery, here’s where you’ll find Heidi Weitjens.

“My ideal day on King Island is…watching the sunrise, going for a kayak, hanging out with friends and just embracing this beautiful place,” Heidi says.

Her hobbies range from horse riding to shell-spotting and crafting experimental spirits such as the jaffa and coffee infused ‘U fa coffee’, the cinnamon and apple ‘SinnaGIN’ and the ‘Tiger Tonic’ – a blend of King Island honey, lemon, ginger and garlic.

A person's hand drops a leaf into an open valve of a copper distilling still, with steam rising from the opening.

Heidi Weitjens, King Island Distillery

Jasper Da Seymour

“Then during the evening it’s beautiful to go and have a barbecue at the beach,” Heidi says. Her favourite beach track from Half Moon Bay leads to the Boathouse at Currie Harbour, also known as the Restaurant With No Food. This daffodil-yellow shack sits beside the sea, offering a colourful communal space to bring your own food.

Steph Ellis, King Island Meat Providore

What do you get when clean air and fresh rain blow across King Island? Lush pastures and delicious grass-fed beef and lamb, of course.

Visit Steph at King Island Meat Providore, pick up some premium cuts and cook them up at a public barbecue (there’s one back at the Boathouse).

At a rugged beach covered with rocks, rolling waves and overlooked by dramatic hills, a person casting a fishing line is silhouetted on the sand.
Fishing, Disappointment Bay
Jasper Da Seymour

“My ideal day on King Island is…having a barbie on the beach, watching my husband catch fish and relaxing,” Steph says.

I often find myself just appreciating the landscapes, that’s something that gives me a really great sense of contentment.

And her favourite beach? Disappointment Bay (which, ironically, never fails to disappoint).

Deb Scott, Red Rock Hut

Fancy a stay at a luxurious tiny home among quiet paddocks and rhythmic waves? Deb Scott’s Red Rock Hut accommodation will leave you plenty relaxed.

“My ideal day on King Island is…playing at the local golfy with all of our friends, even though I’m terrible,” Deb laughs.

Then it’s time to enjoy some premium King Island crayfish and chill out.

Whenever I arrive here, my whole shoulders just relax. You leave feeling really refreshed. It’s island life.

Speaking of relaxation, a sauna and soak at Red Rock Hut while wallabies graze nearby is a guaranteed soul soother.

Molly Potter, Island Larder

Always serving scrumptious breakfast, morning chats and a cracking cuppa is Molly Porter, who owns Island Larder in King Island’s main town of Currie.

In true cafe-owner fashion, Molly starts her day with a coffee.

“My ideal day on King Island is…go for a walk on the beach, catch up with some friends,” Molly says.

“The beach is always beautiful.”

Her go-to treat? King Island Dairy Cheese Store just 10km north of Currie. Visit for leisurely wine and nibbles or grab your favourite cheeses to go.

Two women sit either side of a table covered with a white tablecloth and laden with plates of delicious food and red wine. One holds out a fork with strands of pasta and the other leans forward with her mouth open, ready to try.

Dining at Island Larder

Dearna Bond

Adam Hely and Ian Allan, King Island Walks

Ian Allan and Adam Hely, who co-own King Island Walks, are well acquainted with the island’s salty breeze-kissed landscapes.

“My ideal day on King Island is…go for a fish down at British Admiral [Beach], catch a feed of fish, come back, cook them up, then head to one of our three golf courses,” Adam says.

Top spots to tee off include world-renowned Ocean Dunes and Cape Wickham. After that, Adam heads to the Boathouse for some famous King Island steak and cheese. As for Ian...

“My ideal day on King Island is…get up early when it’s still dark, throw my running shoes on and head out for a run somewhere on King Island,” Ian says.

“It's just a magnificent way of starting the day.”

Where I live, I can go any number of places, from beautiful, lonely country roads to coastal areas.

Then it’s time for more golf among the island’s hummocky dunes beside the wild Bass Strait.

Corey and Sarah Brazendale, King Island Brewhouse

Need something to wash down the cheese? Take a short brewery tour of family-owned King Island Brewhouse and chat to co-owners Sarah and Corey Brazendale while you sip traditional beers on tap.

“Our ideal day on King Island is…a dive, get a few crayfish [and] abalone and have a big cook up with friends and family at the end of the day,” Corey says.

For Sarah, it’s a barbecue with family and a swim.

“Beach or bush, doesn’t matter,” she says. “Take the kids out, get them out in the wild.”

Sharelle Hassing, Wild Island Pottery

Sharelle Hassing collects local King Island clay and crafts her own Wild Island Pottery, which you can peruse and purchase at King Island Kelp Craft among other distinctive local trinkets and crafts.

“My ideal day on King Island is…starting with an ocean swim, a chai, then opening the doors to my studio,” Sharelle says.

“I'm very fortunate that I have a studio on top of a sand dune that overlooks the ocean.”

Sharelle then throws all her “crazy” creative energy into making art, followed by fishing for some premium King Island seafood. Her day ends beside the fire, unwinding before sleep – ready to do it all again the next day.

 

Feeling relaxed yet? Plan your flight to the island, book your hire car, get more King Island tips from a local legend, build your itinerary and let this north-west paradise work its magic.

King Island FAQs

A great way to get around King Island is to walk but renting a car will help you experience the island to the fullest. This little isle off the north-west coast of Tasmania packs plenty of top scenery and things to do into a small area. Chances are your accommodation will be a short stroll away from King Island’s secluded beaches, cruisy cafes and restaurants filled with local produce. Take a guided walk around the isle with King Island Walks, try horse riding for a unique perspective and rent a car to fit more King Island activities into your day.

The best King Island beaches for swimming, according to the locals, range from the colourful rockpools of Half Moon Bay to the quiet, sandy stretches of Disappointment Bay. The big swell at Martha Lavinia Beach makes it a popular King Island surf spot (just remember to stay safe on Tasmania’s beaches). You’ll find quiet beaches galore on King Island, ideal for rock hopping and walking. Catch the sunrise at Martha Lavinia, or try British Admiral Beach for a sunset spectacle.

If you’re planning a trip to King Island, take the hassle out of your trip planning with our 3-day King Island itinerary, bundling fine produce, hot tub retreats and rugged golf experiences into your three-day adventure. Or take it easy and stay longer: try a customisable King Island group tour, or plan your own personalised holiday and build your itinerary with our easy-to-use Trip Planner.

Hi, I'm Annie McCann.

Senior Content Editor

Annie is a Tasmanian editor, writer and foolhardy cold plunger. She can still pinpoint exactly where she was when her jaw dropped during her first west-coast and east-coast island road trips (spoiler alert): crossing Lake Burbury and approaching Mayfield Bay.

Meet our editorial team

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