WHERE TO EAT
Furneaux Tavern
The Tavern embraces the philosophy of minimising its carbon footprint on Flinders Island by sourcing fresh local produce in season. The island is home to seafood such as crayfish, scallops and abalone. Come and meet the locals and check out the view of Franklin Sound and the uninhabited islands around the south. www.furneauxtavern.com.au
Mountain Seas
The restaurant is located at the base of the Strzelecki ranges overlooking the magnificent Trousers Point Beach and Fotheringate Bay. It is open for dinner by reservation only and features a quality menu of locally produced seafood, meat, fruit and vegetables that change with the season. www.mountainseaslodge.com.au
The Interstate Hotel
The Interstate Hotel is a family owned hotel that has been operating since 1911. It is also one of the most popular dining destinations for locals offering affordable pub classics like beer battered fish, grass fed steak and saltbush lamb. They offer lunch from 12-1.30pm Monday to Friday and dinner from 6-7.30pm Monday to Saturday. The bottle shop is open 10am-10pm Monday to Saturday. They also provide takeaway options. www.interstatehotel.com.au
The Interstate Café
A new cafe which has opened on the corner of the hotel that has quickly turned into a local hotspot offering freshly brewed coffee and a classic cafe menu.
Sports Club
The restaurant at the Sports Club delivers a fine dining experience at an affordable price. The menu showcases local, seasonal and sustainable food and some of the best products on offer on Flinders Island. www.facebook.com/flindersislandsportsandrslclub
PKT - Thai Take Away
For the first time, Flinders Islanders are experiencing locally made Thai cuisine made fresh by Parn. Bringing the flavours of Asia to Bass Strait, this thriving little business offers take away food either via pick-up or delivery. Orders need to be submitted by 11am via text. She is closed on Tuesdays.
Café North
An exciting new project that provides the top end of the island with its first dedicated cafe providing freshly brewed coffee and a seasonal menu that features local produce. The van is located at the museum at Emita and opens on Saturday and Sunday.
The Flinders Wharf
The Flinders Wharf is closed during the winter season but re-opens in mid-August and offers dinner Thursday to Saturday and brunch on Sundays. It is located on the foreshore of Whitemark beach. The menu changes regularly and features fresh ingredients handpicked from the sea and land around the Furneaux Group of islands. You will also find premium Tasmanian whisky, gin and beer.
Cate Cooks Tuckshop
International chef Cate Hardman brings her culinary talents to Whitemark, providing barista-quality coffee and a selection of gourmet delights. Located next to the butchers she is open Weds-Sat.
Condimental
Jon “The Juggler” Hizzard and his wife Alison make fresh sourdough bread, baguettes and a range of pickles and hot sauces from Tassie ingredients. The shop is also stocked with homemade dips, condiments, local honey, pizzas, pies and organic foods. Open 9am-4.30pm Tuesday to Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturdays at 3 Bowman St, Whitemark.
Flinders Island Gourmet Retreat
Wendy Jubb-Stoney has returned to the island after running a successful B&B in Victoria’s high country. She operates a cooking school and offers lunch and dinner at her Badger Corner retreat utilising her extensive experience and passion for local food. It is located at 180 Badger Corner Road.
Bakery Café
The cafe sell a wide range of locally baked goods, fresh sandwiches and cakes in the main street of Whitemark. Try their famous and popular wallaby pies which are a hit with islanders. Open Monday to Friday and every second Saturday, the bakery also caters for big and small events. www.facebook.com/fibakery
Butcher
The butcher shop is located in Whitemark and is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and stocks local and Tasmanian meat products.
Fresh Fish
You can order fresh fish straight from the fisherman’s boat but you will need to lodge your request the day before. We can provide details on arrival.
Walkers Supermarket
The largest supermarket on the island offers a wide range of groceries sourced locally and from the mainland of Tasmania. As the majority of accommodation is self-contained (like our cottages) it is also the busiest spot in town. Walkers is open six days a week Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday from 9am to midday.
Lady Barron Supermarket (or locally known as Max’s Store)
Max is the only grocer at Lady Barron providing a variety of staples including local products so guests can cater for themselves or just pop by for an icecream and a chat. He also operates a postal service. The store is open seven days a week.
WHAT TO DO
Mountain Biking Flinders Island – A locally owned business offering trail rides for all fitness levels taking you from the rugged mountains and bush tracks to the sea. Giving you a unique opportunity to enjoy Flinders Island’s renowned turquoise trail of deserted beaches where you will be the only footsteps in the sand. The rides also come with lunch and local snacks. www.mountainbikingflindersisland.com.au
Yoga – Personal trainer and yoga teacher Kathleen Ives-Heaps offers yoga classes on the beach (weather dependent) or in her Trousers Point studio followed by a freshly brewed pot of herbal tea. Channel your zen holiday vibe by emailing: kathleen.ives-heap@bigpond.com
Bush walking – David Heap and his wife Kathleen offer a range of bush, coastal and mountain treks to suit a wide range of fitness levels. Climb to the summit of Mt Strzelecki and enjoy unimpeded 360 degree views of Bass Strait (depending on the weather of course) across Bass Strait. Or head north-west and hike up Mt Killiecrankie, a steep granite cliff to enjoy breathtaking views over the bay. If you’re brave enough you can enjoy a ‘refreshing’ dip at The Dock afterwards. www.nordicwalkingaustralia.com.au/teacher/david-and-kathleen-heap
Fishing – If you’re looking for a fishing holiday then Flinders Island is the ideal place to be. Flinders Island Adventures provides tailored fishing trips off the Continental Shelf about a 30 minute boat ride from Lady Barron. Or drop a line in the water closer to shore. www.flindersisland.com.au
Tours to Vansittart – Fourth generation island character Chris “Rockjaw” Rhodes offers an unforgettable trip to Vansittart Island, a 15 minute boat ride from Lady Barron where he will give you a unique insight into one of the most historic deserted islands in Australia. You can choose to fish, hunt or simply enjoy the panoramic views. Rockjaw also provides a gourmet lunch of Wiltshire lamb, seafood and Cape Barren Geese. Not to be missed. www.facebook.com/RockjawTours
Diving – Flinders Island Dive & Fishing Charters offers scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and sightseeing experiences in the pristine waters of the Furneaux Group. Fully guided tours are provided on an 11 metre charter vessel, the Bass Pyramid, by experienced skipper and dive instructor Mike Nichols. Choose between full and half day trips, as well as shore diving excursions. Mike has a full range of equipment for hire. Accredited scuba diving courses are provided depending on numbers, through Scuba School International. http://www.flindersislandtours.com.au/fishing.php
Park Run – Up to 50 visitors and locals take part in the weekly five kilometre Park Run held at 9am every Saturday as part of a worldwide initiative. The run departs from The Wharf in Whitemark and finishes with coffee, tea or juice and plenty of interesting banter. www.parkrun.com.au/whitemarkwharf
Outdoor exercise – Boot camps are run on a Saturday at the beach by a local personal trainer who also happens to be the daughter of the Flinders Island Accommodation owners. You will need to book in advance as the class sizes are limited.
Wombat Lady – Kate Mooney is the Wombat Lady and is famous with animal lovers across the world for rescuing more than 120 orphaned wombats on the island. If you’re lucky she may allow you to visit her bat cave but DM her on Instagram first.
Furneaux Distillery – Ever wondered how you make whisky or gin? Here is your chance to go behind the scenes to learn how the distiller crafts his latest blends using locally grown botanicals and maritime peat. The brain child of part-time resident, full time Flinders fan, Damien Newton Brown is already making waves with his world class single malt whisky. And his gin is not so bad either. www.furneauxdistillery.com.au
Wineries – There are three wineries on Flinders Island – Unavale Vineyard at Badger Corner, The Butterfactory Boys near Whitemark and Copperhead Rise. Visits to cellar doors are by appointment only. You can sample some of their wines at The Interstate Hotel and Furneaux Tavern.
Golf – There’s a nine hole golf course at Whitemark so bring your clubs. Join the local competition on Saturday, everyone is welcome.
Tennis – There are two public courts at Lady Barron available for use but you will need to pack your own racquet and balls.
Shopping | Purple Swamphen – The Purple Swamphen has been a hub for Flinders Island handmade products since 2014. Most items are made on the island by one of 50+ local makers, but some treasures are sourced from Tasmania & beyond. The store offers a beautifully curated range of products from keep-cups to candles, soaps, homewares and jewellery. https://thepurpleswamphen.com.au
Bowmans General Store – The local newsagents in Whitemark also stocks a selection of clothes and products shoes, as well as gorgeous gifts and homewares. It is one of the longest running businesses in town. https://www.facebook.com/bowmansstore/
GETTING HERE
Flying direct from Melbourne will take an hour, or you can leave from Launceston for a 40 minute scenic flight. Book via sharpairlines.com, which is the major airline providing daily flights out of Launceston and regular flights from Essendon in Victoria.
You can also charter a plane via:
flindersislandaviation.com
uniquecharters.com.au