WHERE TO EAT
For up-to-date opening hours and contact details for local businesses, we recommend visiting flinders.tas.gov.au
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
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. Open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday. Takeaway options are available. The bottle shop is open 7 days a week.
www.interstatehotel.com.au
The Interstate Café
A cafe on the corner of the hotel that has become a local hotspot, offering freshly brewed coffee and a classic cafe menu - 7 mornings a week.
Sports Club
The restaurant at the Sports Club delivers a wonderful 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. Typically open on a Sunday night. www.facebook.com/flindersislandsportsandrslclub
The Flinders Wharf
Offering a larder shop on weekdays and food and drinks on Saturday mornings - perfect for Parkrunners. Visit onislandtime.com.au for more information.
Bakery Café
The Bakery Café sells a wide range of locally baked goods, fresh sandwiches and cakes in the main street of Whitemark. Try their famous wallaby pies. Open Monday to Friday. www.facebook.com/fibakery
Butcher
The butcher shop is located in Whitemark. It is open Monday to Friday and stocks local and Tasmanian meat.
Walkers Supermarket
The largest supermarket on the island offers a wide range of groceries sourced locally and from the Tasmanian mainland. As the majority of accommodation is self-contained (like our cottages), it is also the busiest spot in town. Walkers is open 6 days a week.
Lady Barron Supermarket (or locally known as Max’s Store)
Max’s is the only grocer at Lady Barron, offering a variety of staple items including local produce, so guests can cater for themselves or just pop by for an ice cream and a chat. Max’s also operates a postal service. The store is open 7 days a week.
WHAT TO DO
For up-to-date opening hours and contact details for local businesses, we recommend visiting flinders.tas.gov.au
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.
Contact David: davidw.heap@gmail.com
Fishing – If you’re looking for a fishing holiday, or want to explore the 52 surrounding islands in the Furneaux Group, we highly recommend these local charters;
Latitude 40 | latitudecharters.com.au
RockJaw Tours | rockjawtours.com.au
Flinders Island Fishing Charters | flinderisland.com.au
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
Wombat Lady – Kate Mooney is the Wombat Lady and is famous 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 whisky or gin is made? 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 brainchild 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 two wineries on Flinders Island – Unavale Vineyard at Badger Corner and The Butterfactory Boys near Whitemark. Visits to the cellar doors are by appointment only. You can sample some of the wines at The Interstate Hotel and Furneaux Tavern.
Golf – There is a nine-hole golf course at Whitemark, so bring your clubs. Join the local competition on Saturday; everyone is welcome.
Tennis – There is a public court at Lady Barron available for use, but you will need to bring your own racquet and balls.
Bowmans General Store – The local newsagent in Whitemark also stocks a selection of clothes and 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 30-minute scenic flight. Book via sharpairlines.com, the major airline providing daily flights out of Launceston and regular flights from Essendon in Victoria.
You can also charter a plane:
Flinders Island Aviation > 03 6359 3641 / flindersislandaviation.com
Flinders Island Flight Charters > Frank Williebrand 0408 810 784
Jonno Merrigu, Lilydale, VIC 0408 234 197
CAR HIRE
Flinders Island Car Hire 03 6359 2168 / ficr.com.au