Flinders Island only has a population of 842 people, so the services reflect the size of the community. There are no Mcdonalds or KFC outlets, and you'll be hard pressed to find peak hour traffic. Most people coming to the island for the first time like to know what kind of services they can expect. You will find them listed below.
1) Emergency Services - we have Ambulance, Fire and Police services here on the island. We also have a fully equipped hospital with two resident doctors. In fact, the hospital is one of the biggest employers on the island. The Flying Doctor also operates here in emergency situations.
2) Post Office - The main post office is based in Whitemark, and also has banking facilities available. There is another post office at the general store in Lady Barron.
3) Vet - If you are bringing your pet animal with you, there is a resident vet working full time here on the island.
4) Taxi - There is one taxi service available here on the island. It's run by Jimmy "the Greek" Xypteras, a great island character.
5) Hire Car - There is one hire car business left on the island, Flinders Island Car Rentals. They drop off, and pick up, the vehicle from Whitemark Airport which is only a few minutes from their depot. They also hire mobile phones if yours is not 3G.
6) Petrol - There is petrol available from both towns.
7) Supermarket - There is Walkers Supermarket in Whitemark, and Lady Barron Store in Lady Barron.
8) Newsagent - Bowmans General Store in Whitemark stocks all the newspapers and magazines, as well as general items. Lady Barron Store in Lady Barron also stocks the same.
9) Bakery - the local Bakery in Whitemark provides a range of wonderful breads and pastry delights and coffee.
10) Freckles Café - Freckles Café in Whitemark provides great coffee and café style food and delicious home cooked slices and treats.
11) Butcher - the local butcher is in Whitemark next to the Catholic Church. Most of the produce comes from local farmers.
12) Fish - you can buy fish straight from the wharf, or by catching it yourself.
13) Pub and restaurants - there is really only one original pub on the island, the Interstate Hotel which was established in 1912 and sits proudly in the main street of Whitemark. There are two other drinking establishments - the Golf Club and Furneaux Tavern which is located in Lady Barron. Both the pub and the Tavern serve counter meals, generally big feeds of local meat and fish.
14) Sport and recreation - speaking of golfing, there is a wonderful 18 hole golf course that overlooks Whitemark Beach. There are also two bowling greens next to the course. There is a skate park in Whitemark for the kids and two tennis courts at Lady Barron. Although you will need to bring your own racquets.
15) Hair and beauty - it doesn't take long to revert back to nature once you step off the plane. However, there is a hairdresser and beautician located in the main street, so don't worry those grey hairs don't have to shine through.
16) Internet - you can catch up on email and google your friends at Service Tasmania. There are four computers for hire, plus printing services. While you're there, you can pay your bills and grab some information on the island.
17) Museum - the local Historical Society is the biggest volunteer organisation on the island with 62 members. They have recently raised over $300,000 to expand the museum to store the island's artefacts. Well worth a visit.
18) Art - the island is a haven for creative and artistic people. There are several quality artists here who work from home, you can also visit the local art gallery in Whitemark.
