Flinders Island Escape

Begin in the island’s south-west corner, with a walk in Strzelecki National Park. Go straight to the top with a climb to the summit of Strzelecki Peaks, or wander the coast on the Trousers Point walk, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the sands and scenery on Trousers Point Beach and Fotheringate Beach.

Finish the day’s activities in leisurely style with a wine tasting at Unavale Vineyard before driving to Vinegar Hill for a view over Lady Barron and Franklin Sound.

Dine at Mountain Seas Lodge, pressed into the slopes of the Strzelecki Peaks, for island produce with a view over Trousers Point.

Stay the night in the island’s south, where options include Mountain Seas Lodge, Island Quarters and Sawyers Bay Shacks.

Gather breakfast and coffee at Cate Cooks and head north towards Emita.

Park at Allports Beach and set out on foot along the coast to massive Castle Rock.

Wander through the old chapel and the cemetery at Wybalenna.

Take in island and maritime history at the Furneaux Museum.

Return to Whitemark for dinner at the Interstate Hotel, then set out at dusk for the viewing platform at Settlement Point, watching short-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds) return to their burrows after a day of feeding far out at sea (from November to April).

Stay overnight in the north. Options include the Cray Shack in Killiecrankie, Palana Beach Retreat and Palana Beach House.

Spend a meditative hour or two strolling the empty beach at Palana.

Succumb to diamond fever at Killiecrankie, fossicking for the topaz known locally as Killiecrankie diamonds.

Drive to the island’s eastern side, stopping in at the Patriarch Wildlife Sanctuary to wander among wallabies, wombats, Cape Barren geese and other animals.

Return to Whitemark and celebrate the trip’s end with dinner at Flinders Wharf (and a cheeky whisky from the on-site Furneaux Distillery) as the sun sets into Bass Strait.